OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA SCHEME
In pursuance of the Prime Minister of India’s statement, Citizenship Act 1955 has been amended to extend the scope of OCI to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of all nationalities other than Pakistan and Bangladesh that allow dual citizenship under their local laws in some form or the other. Citizenship Rules, 1956 have been amended to simplify the procedure and application form for grant of OCI registration. Necessary amendments have also been carried out in the Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920 and Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 to spell out the following benefits to registered OCIs

• Multi-purpose, multi entry, lifelong visas for visiting India.
• Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration officer / Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India.
• Parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.

Such registered OCIs shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under article 16 of Constitution with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, election to Constitutional offices like President/Vice president/Judges of Supreme Court or High Courts/Members of Parliament or Legislative Assembly/Council or right to vote under Representation of the People Act, 1950.
Every registered OCI will be issued a registration certificate which is printed like an Indian passport in different colour and an OCI visa sticker will be pasted in the person’s foreign passport. These two documents will have the photograph of the individual and all necessary security features.
The method for applying for the OCI is given in detail in the MHA web site. German nationals of Indian origin who are eligible for the OCI would be required to pay Euro 240/- (Two hundred and forty only). In case the application is rejected, Euro 22/- (twenty two only) will be deducted as processing charges. PlO card holders, who are otherwise eligible - refer eligibility in web site of MHA) will be required to pay Euro 22/- (Euro twenty two only) and submit a copy of his/her PlO card along with other documents and the application for the OCI registration.

Instructions for filling application form

1. Please write/print fields in BLOCK LETTERS

2. A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered as minor. In case of minor who cannot sign, his/her left thumb impression may be placed in the Signature Box. Parents should not sign on behalf of minors. A minor child will be eligible for OCI only if either parent is also eligible. (This implies that one of the parents, either father or mother should be of Indian origin holding foreign passport).

3. Photograph to be affixed on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 35*35mm (with 80% coverage by face). It should have light colour background (not white) without border with front view of person's head and shoulders showing the face in the middle of the photograph. It should not be stapled and should not have any signature.

4. After submission of Part A online, a copy of Part A with an online Registration Number will be printed along with Part B of application form. Details in Part B can be typed or hand written in BLOCK LETTERS. In case the space provided is not sufficient, additional sheets may be used for providing requisite details. Application form on Parts A and B, complete in all respects, along with all relevant enclosures, may be submitted. Please ensure 2 sets are submitted. Part A is to be in original in both sets.

5. Please ensure all enclosures are self-attested. In case of minors, parent may attest the enclosures.

6. For any problem in filing application, please e-mail: shettybn@nic.in

7. For further details visit web-site at http://MHA.nic.in

Please CLICK HERE FOR  ONLINE   REGISTRATION OF OCI  APPLICATION

Miscellaneous Services for OCI

a.   Miscellaneous Services for OCI includes re-issuance/issuance of duplicate OCI documents in following cases:

b.   If a new passport has been issued.

c.   Change of personal particulars like nationality etc.

d.   Loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/Visa

e.   If wrong personal particulars were filled up mduring online submission of application eg. Father's name, date of birth etc.

f.   If the Indian mission/office has committed any manual mistake earlier while entering the personal particulars.

g.   change of Address/Occupation

h.  Change of Address / Occupation

Please CLICK HERE FOR  ONLINE   APPLICATION FOR  DUPLICATE OCI  DOCUMENTS