Lok Sabha Question No. 1952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-02
Subject: Overseas Citizens of India
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1952

ANSWERED ON - 02/08/2024

## OVERSEAS CITIZENS OF INDIA

1952. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a)   the   details   of   initiatives   of   the   Government   for   promoting   and safeguarding the rights of Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs);

(b) whether there has been an increase in the revocation of visas of such OCIs, if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the number of OCI cardholders re-categorised as foreign nationals?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) OCI cardholders are foreign nationals who enjoy certain benefits when they visit India. The benefits/rights of OCI cardholders in India are subject to Para 7B of the Citizenship Act 1955. The rights of OCI cardholders   in   their   home   country   are   a   sovereign   matter   of   the concerned foreign State.

The benefits/rights of an OCI cardholder are available in public domain and are also enclosed herewith as Annexure - I. These benefits are widely publicized on the website of MHA and Indian Missions/Posts abroad.   Government   of   India   ensures   that   they   avail/enjoy   these benefits without any hindrance while in India. (b) OCI card is in itself a lifelong visa and therefore no separate Indian visa is required to be issued to OCI cardholders. During the last 3 years, 105 OCI cards have been revoked under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act 1955. (c) Since OCI cards are life-long visas that are issued to foreign nationals, their nationality need not be re-categorized by the Indian

authorities.

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## Benefits to an OCI Cardholder :

(i) Multiple   entry   lifelong   visa   for   visiting   India   for   any   purpose (However   OCI   Cardholders   will   require   a   special   permission   to undertake   research   work   in   India   for   which   they   may   submit   the application to the Indian Mission/ Post/ FRRO concerned).

(ii) Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in India.

(iii) Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) 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.

(iv) Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be treated at par with Non-Resident-Indians in the matter of inter-country adoption of Indian children.

(v) Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be treated at par with resident Indian nationals in the matter of tariffs in air fares in domestic sectors in India.

(vi) Registered Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder shall be charged the same entry fee as domestic Indian visitors to visit national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.

(vii) Parity with Non-Resident Indians(NRI) in respect of:-

- (A) Entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;

(B) Pursuing the following professions in India, in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely:-

(a) doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists;

(b) advocates;

(c) architects;

(d) chartered accountants;

(C)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.

(viii) State   Governments   should   ensure   that   the   OCI   Cardholder registration   booklets   of   OCI   Cardholders   are   treated   as   their identification   for   any   services   rendered   to   them.   In   case   proof   of residence is required, Overseas Citizens of India Cardholder 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.

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