Who qualifies as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?

Who qualifies as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)?

An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) is a person of Indian origin who is granted a form of long-term residency in India. OCI status provides individuals the right to live, study, and work in India indefinitely but does not grant Indian citizenship, which means OCI holders cannot vote or hold public office.

Eligibility criteria for OCI status

To qualify for OCI status, an applicant must meet one or more of the following conditions:

  • The individual was eligible to become an Indian citizen on January 26, 1950.
  • The individual was an Indian citizen at any time after January 26, 1950.
  • The person belonged to a territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947.
  • The applicant is a child or grandchild of such a person mentioned above.
  • The applicant is the spouse of an Indian citizen or an existing OCI holder, provided the marriage is registered and has lasted for at least two years.
  • The applicant’s country of citizenship must allow or recognize dual/multiple citizenship in some form.

What if...

ScenarioWhat you should know
Your ancestors were from Pakistan or BangladeshYou're not eligible for OCI status due to India’s exclusion rule
You’re married to an Indian citizen but not of Indian originYou may still qualify, provided the marriage is registered and over 2 years old
Your country doesn’t allow dual citizenshipYou may not qualify for OCI status since legal dual recognition is required
While OCI status offers significant benefits like visa-free entry and indefinite stay in India, it is distinct from full Indian citizenship and comes with its own legal boundaries.

For detailed government resources, refer to the official OCI portal.

Last updated: 25 Jun 2025

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