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How OCI Card Is Helpful in Immigration?

October 7, 2016 Manoj Sodhani Comments 1 comment

OCI Card

Immigration is a complex process. A lot of hassles barricade an individual while shifting. Like other countries, Indian government has empowered foreigners, Person of Indian Origin and non-residents’ diaspora with hurdle-free traveling through OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.

However, foreigners are eligible to get this card but there are certain exceptions. For example, the citizens of Bangladesh, Pakistan or any such nation that the Central Government declares ‘ineligible’ shall be impermissible.

Let’s take a look who is applicable for owning it indeed.

Who can have it?

It is a must to notice what the Section 7A of the Citizen Act states. It consists of the vital information that describes who is eligible for obtaining this card.

The foreigners who can register must be:

Indian native at or onwards the time when its constitution (in 1950) was written.
Eligible for procuring citizenship of India on 26^th January 1950.
Of the territory that was acquired by India after 1947.
The minor child/ grandchild/great grandchild of the aforementioned person.
The minor child whose both or either parent were Indian citizen.
The spouse of the OCI card holder.
The child/ grand-child/ great grandchild of the parents who were Indian citizen (as per provision of the Government of India Act (1935).

Inapplicable are those who

Belong to Pakistan, Bangladesh or any other country that shall be specified by the Central Government.

How one can get an OCI?

The request for its issuance is now processed digitally. The government has sped up its processing by introduced its registration from its formal website. Sometimes, confusion confines the applicants. They don’t get the idea of selecting the appropriate application form. So, they must carefully select the Form XIX which is enough for a family consisting of spouses and two minor children.

Its part A and B are filled online. Subsequently, its hard-copy must be submitted to the Indian Mission with the following documents.

Citizenship certificate
Proof of self/ grandparents/ great grandparent (property papers/birth certificate/residential proof of 1950 or before)
Passport
Copy of domicile certificate
Birth certificate/residential proofs attested by the first class Magistrate/ District Magistrate.
Marriage certificate of spouses (of Indian origin)

While submitting all these documents, the authority processes this request only in return of particular amount (which is INR 15,000 currently). However, this sum can be changed as per direction of the authority.

It’s advantageous!

It would be a happy moment when one travels across the country and no hassle obstructs. This exactly is the benefit which this card awards to its bearer. But this is not the only one. There are more advantages that can relief mavericks. Catch a few below:

Multi-purpose visa for life long.
No need to verify with police even though the stay exceed 180 days limit.
Parity with NRIs in respect to financial, economic, and educational benefits.
Parity with NRIs when it comes to adopting an Indian child.
Parity with NRIs in respect to tariffs for domestic flights.
Parity with NRIs when it comes to paying entry-fee for touring wild-life sanctuaries and national parks in India.
Parity with NRIs in respect to paying entry fee for visiting national monuments, heritage sites and museums in India.
Parity with NRIs when it comes to take admission in All India Pre-Medical Test or any such test.
Permitted to show an attested/notarized affidavit that specifies address (& email address) of the bearer in place of residential proof.

It is noteworthy that this card does not facilitate acquisition of agricultural or plantation land/property. Therefore, such persons cannot buy any farmhouse or farm/field in their own name.

Comparison between PIO and OCI card facilities

Apart from NRI status, there is a third facility also called PIO card. It expands as Person of Indian Origin. However, the Modi government has ceased accepting fresh application for seeking this card since 9^th January 2015. Yet, its old bearers are permitted to enjoy its all benefits.

In terms of benefits, both, cards are more or less equal. But still certain differences make them poles part. These differences reflect in:

Since the formerly mentioned card is no more issued, its holders are recommended to switch it with latter card. They can enquire for how PIO card holders can apply for OCI card at the nearest FRRO office. Although it is not mandatory yet the confusion spread when this bulletin surfaced. Today, it’s clear that the already registered PIOs card-holders can resume its use for traveling. They must carry their old as well as new passport along.

This news had surely burdened lots of worries on the prospective travelers. Now, the competent authority (FRRO) provides a registration booklet to PIO card-holders. They can get it attested on every visit from the consular office/passport authority. Forgetting passport can reject their entry. So, they must keep it along.

The conversion slaps an extra cost worth INR 8,000. The applicant has to visit the bank for withdrawing a Demand draft of the same amount.

Steps to Convert PIO Card to OCI Card

August 11, 2016 Manoj Sodhani Comments 0 Comment

PIO cards no more exist as Indian government has ordered for the cancellation of this immigration service. But its conversion to OCI card has smoothened the way of PIOs to travel India. It’s a good alternative. This cancellation is not applicable for those who obtained it before January 9, 2015. They can extend its validity to lifetime by getting it stamped from the Indian consulate office. Individuals in foreign security and retired foreign policemen are not applicable for it.

To get it converted to OCI card, the applicant can go to http://passport.gov.in/oci/captchActionPIO. They must through Part A and Part B of registration. In Part A, the applicant must provide details of self, passport and family. Afterwards, he/she can get a web file number. Then, part B will initiate. The registration form will appear. Provide all the requisite details. Submit it with the enclosed documents online. The government does not charge any money for this service. But if one hires any outsourcer, he/ she must pay certain amount as service charge.

Tips to Get Nativity Certificate for OCIs & PIOs

June 20, 2016 Manoj Sodhani Comments 0 Comment

Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) are individuals whose father or forefathers migrated to foreign country before 26th January 1950. Some emigrants (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) want to acquire Indian citizenship. Its prominent reasons can be attaining education, career and resettlement.

Indian government has set certain norms for them to acquire it. These norms appear as the greatest hindrance if they want to get admission in Indian engineering or medical college. Displaying nativity certificate becomes mandatory for this purpose.
What is Nativity Certificate? Why is it needed?

Nativity certificate is a legal proof that authenticates an individual’s Indian connection. Some Indians settled abroad years ago. Prosperous career, excellent job opportunities and marriage took them away from their motherland. Such people can dream of resettling via this valid proof. This certificate certifies their former connection with India. Hence, it removes barriers in the way to re-attain citizenship of this country later.

Who issues it?
The applicant can have link with any particular state or district. Therefore, state government or Tehsildar is an authorized body to issue it. It is mandatorily issued from the competent authority that should not be below a District Collector/ District Magistrate.

How to get it?
The applicant must keep these documents with him/her to get it:
• Application form
• Documental proofs of ancestral property, like previous home.
• Proofs of forefather’s school/college/ university information.
• Relative’s name and particulars to confirm his/her belongingness to India.
• Immigration proof of the applicant’s ancestor.

Is there any alternative of birth certificate of Nativity certificate?
In Christian religion, baptism is a special ritual conducted after child’s birth. The constitution accepts baptism certificate in place of birth certificate. It must be issued before October 1955 and attested by Collector/ District Magistrate.

From whom to get it attested?
Like other immigration documents, certificate attestation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is compulsory. Since July 2012, the apex authority for attestation in India has decided to accept application through outsourcers. This implies no applications will be accepted directly from the applicants.

How to Apply for OCI Card?

May 11, 2016 Manoj Sodhani Comments 1 comment

Also called the Overseas Citizenship of India, the OCI system facilitates a visa-free trip to India. This trip can be concerned with the right of residency, business meeting/ conference and educational activities here. The spouse of an OCI card holder is eligible to apply for this card.

These people have very restricted rights, as they do not have the right to vote. Nor can they buy any agricultural land. Like NRIs, they can claim for inheriting ancestral property in this country.

Apply With Union Home Ministry

The Union Home Ministry has the Bureau of Immigration to look into the application procedure of the overseas citizenship cards. People from any country, except for Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Afghanistan, can get it.

Who can apply?

Children
- Children, grand-children or great grand-children of people who were once the native of India at the time when the Indian constitution was convened on 26th January 1950.
- At least one of the parents is an Indian citizen.
Foreigners
- Who was a citizen of India at the time when the Indian constitution was formed (26 Jan, 1950)
- Who had Indian citizenship when the constitution of India was set up
- Who was a citizen of this country after 15th Aug, 1947
Spouses
- Wife/husband of a OCI/PIO cardholder or Indian citizen, given that the wedding is legally registered and continued for at least 2 continuous years before application

What are the documents required for OCI?

Proof of the present citizenship
Proof of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents being a citizen of India
Proof of relationship as parent/grandparent/ great grandparent, if their Indian origin is the basis of your registration
Proof of being a foreign spouse of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder
Passport size photograph of the applicant
Thumb impression of the applicant

How can you apply for it in India?

The central government has made this procedure way easier, wherein you don’t need to become a victim of corrupted officers. The applicant can apply it online and then, fix an appointment for the verification of documents in-person.

The Form XIX is available in Part A and Part B for the application, which can be filled and submitted online. However, the hardcopies of the same Part A and Part B forms must be manually submitted to the Indian Mission/ Post/ Office together with all the other requested documents.

The applicant can get himself/ herself registered with https://passport.gov.in/oci.
Later, fill up the requisite information & credentials in the digital OCI form.
Upload the requisite documents, as aforementioned.

How long does it take to get?

It may take a month for completing the whole process. This is the case when your application does not have any discrepancies. But if there is any, the procedure can be stretched to the maximum 120 days.

How much fee do you pay?

An application fee of $275 or equivalent amount is what you need to pay for this service. You can submit the duly filled form and fee challan with the Foreigners Regional Registration Offices or at Indian Missions abroad.

Reason of Denial & Cancellation

Upon verification, the Ministry of Home Affairs can reject your application if it finds lack of adequate security clearance, or the candidate is found blacklisted for being a guilty of any fraud or misguiding. Besides, those who is found disrespecting the Indian Constitution can meet rejection of their application.

Cancellation On the Ground Of Dual Citizenship

India does not allow any foreigner to have dual citizenship. If this card’s applicant is already registered as the overseas citizen five years ago, he can get it.

There is a condition to get this status. i.e. the applicant should have been a resident of India for 12 months before applying for this privilege.

Conversion of PIOs into OCIs

Before 2011, the External Affairs Ministry used to issue the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards. These are the Indian-origin people who se four generations have been not here in India, except for the people in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan & Afghanistan.

In 2015, the PM Narendra Modi’s cabinet amended the Citizenship Act 2015, announcing these changes:

Existing PIO card holders will automatically be considered as OCI cardholders. They may request to have a separate, dedicated OCI card if required.
Those who have an approved PIO card application will automatically be migrated to the OCI system while marking the former card application as the OCI application form.
Those applicants whose PIO application is not yet approved must reapply with a fresh OCI application form.

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