A 'Non-resident Indian' (NRI) is a person resident outside India who is a citizen of India.
A 'Person of Indian Origin (PIO)' is a person resident outside India who is a citizen of any country other than Bangladesh or Pakistan or such other country as may be specified by the Central Government, satisfying the following conditions:
Who was a citizen of India by virtue of the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955); or
Who belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August, 1947; or
Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of a citizen of India or of a person referred to in clause (a) or (b); or
Who is a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of a person referred to in clause (a) or (b) or (c)
A PIO will include an 'Overseas Citizen of India' cardholder within the meaning of Section 7(A) of the Citizenship Act, 1955. Such an OCI Card holder should also be a person resident outside India.
Who is OCI? What is the definition of Overseas Citizen of India under Section 7A in the Citizenship Act, 1955?
Section 7A of the Indian Citizenship Act 1955 has provision for Registration of Overseas Citizen of India. The provision in the Act is as under:
7A Registration of overseas citizens of India.
(1) The Central Government may, subject to such conditions and restrictions
as may be prescribed, on an application made in this behalf, register any person
as an overseas citizen of India-
(a) any person of full age and capacity,-
(i) who is citizen of another country, but was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution; or
(ii) who is citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution; or
(iii) who is citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August, 1947; or
(iv) who is a child or a grand-child of such a citizen; or
(b) a person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned in clause (a):
Provided that no person, who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or
such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an overseas
citizen of India.]
(a) grant of multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose;
(b) exemption from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer or Foreign Registration Officer for any length of stay in India; and
(c) parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
(a) parity with non-resident Indian in respect of,-
(i) entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;
(ii) pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely:-
(i) doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists;
(ii) advocates;
(iii) architects;
(iv) chartered accountants;
(b) to appear for the All India Pre-Medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts.
Overseas Citizen of India Card holders has the following benefits:
Multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa to visit India;
Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India;
and
Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the
acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
Registered Overseas Citizen of India shall be treated at par with Non
Resident-Indian in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.
Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be treated at par with resident
Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in
India.
Registered Overseas Citizens of India shall be charged the same entry fee as
domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in
India
Parity with Non-Resident Indian in respect of entry fees to be charged for
visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;
Pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions
contained in the relevant Acts, namely:-
- Doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists;
- advocates;
- architects;
- chartered accountants;'
Parity with Non-Resident Indian to appear for the All India Pre-medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts.
"State Governments should ensure that the OCI registration booklets of OCIs are treated as their identification for any services rendered to them. In case proof of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India may give an affidavit attested by a notary public stating that a particular/specific address may be treated as their place of residence in India and may also in their affidavit give their overseas residential address as well as e-mail address, if any" Any other benefits to an OCI will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B (1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955
|
Domestic Violence Act Citations |
CRPC - Code of Criminal Procedure CPC Important citations, case laws |