OCI Meaning

Overseas Citizen of India is a person who is registered as an Overseas Citizen of India. People of Indian Origin (PIO) allows individuals of Indian descent or birth who hold citizenship in countries other than India.

Those People of Indian Origin who have availed of the Overseas Citizenship of India status through OCI card are known as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). The OCI status facilitates residence, education, and employment in India for foreign citizens of Indian origin. OCI cardholders have unrestricted access to India, with the flexibility to stay for any duration. Notably, OCI cards are issued to foreign passport holders, excluding those from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Benefits of OCI Card

OCI or Overseas Citizen of India card holders have so many benefits as mentioned below.

• OCI is a lifelong, multifunctional, multiple-entry visa for India.
• It grants unrestricted travel privileges to the foreign passport holders to India.
• They can visit India at their convenience, with no limitations on duration or purpose of their visits.
• OCIs are relieved from the obligation to report to the police during their stay in the country.
• OCI card holders can enjoy the same economic, financial, and educational rights as NRIs can.
• OCIs are excluded to have an ownership of agricultural or plantation properties.

Limitations of OCI Card

Though there are so many facilities with them a OCI card holder has to face some notable restrictions also. Let us discuss.

• OCI status does not confer voting rights or eligibility for membership in legislative bodies such as the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, or Parliament.
• Holders of OCI cards are precluded from occupying key constitutional positions like President, Vice President, or serving as judges in the Supreme Court or High Court.
• Certain government positions are off-limits to OCI cardholders.
• Acquisition of agricultural land in India is not permitted for OCI cardholders.
• Political rights, including those outlined in Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution pertaining to judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, are not extended to OCI cardholders.
• Employment within the Indian government is generally prohibited for OCI cardholders.
• Undertaking activities such as missionary work, mountaineering, or journalism in India requires prior permission from the Indian authorities.
• Membership in legislative bodies or holding constitutional positions within India’s governmental framework is restricted for OCI cardholders.

PIO and OCI both are legal terms that are generally used for foreign citizens of Indian origin. A PIO is a person who was an Indian citizen on 26th January 1950 or later or was an eligible person to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950. On the other side, an OCI is a person who is registered as an Overseas Citizen of India.

In this article, we are going to learn PIO and OCI in detail and their major differences.