Do you need Indian visa if you have OCI card?

Does an OCI Cardholder need a visa to visit India? OCI cardholders do not need a visa to visit, live or work in India.

Can I travel to India using OCI?

A: You will be allowed entry into India if you have a valid OCI Card and a valid foreign passport. You do not need to carry the old passport on which your "U” (OCI) Visa was stamped, if that happens to be different from your current passport.

How long a US citizen can stay in India with OCI?

A PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for any stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas an OCI card holder is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.

Is an OCI card a visa?

Although the OCI card is considered a lifelong visa, it's not actually a visa. It's a document that gives you the right to work and live in India. Most visas only allow you to visit countries. This is not the case with the OCI card.

Is OCI a tourist visa?

A passport holder Of Indian origin should have an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to be able to travel to India. This acts a lifelong visa to enter India, among other benefits. However, 'Lifelong' is defined differently when it comes to mandatory travel documents required to travel to India.

Immigration Central | How Can Indians Get An OCI Card

Is OCI better than visa?

OCI is a lifelong visa to live and work in India as any other Indian citizen or NRI. But unlike visitors on other long-term visas (for example, work permits, student visas), OCI holders do not have to register with their local FRRO. OCI holders, just like NRIs, can open bank accounts and buy property in the country.

Can OCI holders travel to India 2021?

All OCI & PIO card holders (in any country) are allowed to travel to India. All existing visas, except electronic visas (e-Visa), Tourist Visa and Medical Visa, which remained suspended shall stand restored w.e.f. 21 October 2020.

Can OCI holder live permanently in India?

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is a form of permanent residency available to people of Indian origin and their spouses which allows them to live and work in India indefinitely.

What is the benefit of having OCI card?

Benefits: OCIs are entitled to a multipurpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa allowing them to visit India at any time, for any length of time and for any purpose. They are exempted from police reporting for any length of stay in the country.

Is OCI same as NRI?

An NRI can invest in residential/commercial properties but is not allowed to invest in agricultural or plantation property or a farmhouse. An OCI can invest in various financial investment opportunities available in India.

Can OCI buy property in India?

A: OCI card holders can purchase residential and commercial properties in India. But they are not permitted to purchase agricultural land, including farmland or any kind of plantation property.

Can I have both Indian and US citizenship?

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously.

Can US citizen with OCI get Aadhar card?

Aadhaar Card enrolment is presently available to residents in India. OCI Cardholders who stay in India for a long time (over 182 days in twelve months immediately preceding the date of application for enrolment) and have an Indian address can also enroll for Aadhaar Card in India.

Is OCI card valid for life?

The OCI card is a lifelong visa available for citizens of Indian origin. Once you get it, you will obtain all the rights any resident in India has. You can live and work in India. The OCI card is valid for 10 years after issued and it allows Multiple Entry to the country.

Do you need to renew OCI after 50?

Once you reach the age of 50, you must apply for OCI card renewal and have your visa re-issued. For those between the ages of 21 and 50, there are no mandatory requirements to get your card re-issued. Similarly, after the age of 50, it is not mandatory to renew your OCI card every time you get a new passport.

Do OCI holders need to pay tax in India?

Yes, the Overseas Citizens of India or OCI who are living in India for more than 182 days have to file Income Tax File return in India and pay tax accordingly. A person who earns in India is bound to pay tax to the government irrespective of his status of residence, citizenship or motive to stay here.

What can you not do with OCI card?

The OCI is not entitled to vote, be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament, cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. and he/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

How long can US citizen live in India?

The 10 year India Tourist Visa is valid for 10 years. This does not mean that you can reside in India for 10 years, rather the Visa grants a US citizen Multiple Entry for 10 years. The maximum amount of time a US citizen can reside in India with the 10 year Visa is 6 months.

Are OCI holders Indian nationals?

Can a person registered as an OCI be granted Indian citizenship? Yes. As per the provisions of section 5(1) (g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, a person who is registered as an OCI for 5 years and is residing in India for 1 year out of the above 5 years, is eligible to apply for Indian Citizenship.

What are the new OCI rules?

A person who has got registration as OCI cardholder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after his/her completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his/ her facial features on attaining adulthood.

What are the new changes in OCI?

OCI Card is required to be re-issued once a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age. To avoid inconvenience to such OCI Card holders in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been decided to further grant extension of time till 31.12. 2022 to get their OCI Cards re-issued.

Can an OCI get a PAN card?

Foreign Citizens Applying for PAN

You can visit the TIN-NSDL website and fill out form 49AA. Individuals who have foreign nationalities, OCI holders and PIOs need to use this form to get a PAN Card.

Can American citizens have Indian Aadhar card?

YES. An NRI (whether minor or adult) with a valid Indian Passport can apply for Aadhaar from any Aadhaar Kendra. If your passport has the name of your spouse, then it can be used as Proof of Address for them. If spouse is NRI - valid Indian passport of the applicant is mandatory as Proof of Identity (PoI).

Who is called NRI in India?

Non Resident Indian is a person who is not a resident of India. An individual is deemed to be a resident, if (A) Individual has resided in India in that year for 182 days or more or (B) Having within the 4 years preceding that year been in India for 365 days or more and is in India for 60 days or more in that year.