A foreign resident can apply for permanent residency in India by securing either a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO Card) or Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI card).
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO Card)
Indian PIO Scheme (Person of Indian Origin) is a long term Indian visa service which is available to any person who has at any time held an Indian passport, was born in India or is the grandchild or great grandchild of someone born in India and living there as a permanent resident.
The scheme also applies to the spouse of any qualifying applicant as defined above.
The PIO scheme functions as a long-term Indian visa, affording many of the same rights as Indian citizens, with the exception of the right to vote.
A PIO Card holder is eligible to apply for Indian citizenship after he/she has resided in India for 7 years.
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) allows a person of Indian Origin living overseas with a grant of citizenship in their country of residence, to gain many of the same rights as a full Indian citizen. This scheme is often referred to as Indian ‘Dual Citizenship’. An OCI holder receives many, though not all of the rights and privileges enjoyed by those with Indian citizenship. However, India does not support dual citizenship and OCI should not be viewed as such. The OCI holder who undergoes Indian naturalization for a grant of full citizenship must renounce citizenship of any country other than India.
Processing Times and Fees
The processing time of the Indian visa applications and their required fees may change from time to time. The time and cost mainly depends on the nationality of the visa applicant and the type of visa applied by the foreign national.
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO Card)
Originally launched in 1999 the Indian PIO Scheme (Person of Indian Origin) is a long term Indian visa service which is available to any person who has at any time held an Indian passport, was born in India or is the grandchild or great grandchild of someone born in India and living there as a permanent resident.
The scheme also applies to the spouse of any qualifying applicant as defined above.
The PIO scheme functions as a long-term Indian visa, affording many of the same rights as Indian citizens, with the exception of the right to vote.
Benefits of PIO Card
Indian PIO scheme is not granted for indefinite use although successful applicants may pursue Indian citizenship after 7 years of residing in India.
The PIO scheme is also much quicker to process, taking around 2-4 weeks, rather than several months, as is the case with OIC (Overseas Citizenship of India).
PIO cards are issued for a period of fifteen years and are only valid when accompanied by a valid passport.
A PIO card removes the need to apply for any other Indian visa and allows for hassle free travel to and from India, on unlimited occasions.
PIO holders are also exempt from the need to register their presence in India with Foreigners Regional Registration Officer / Foreigners Registration Officer (FRRO/FRO) so long as no single visit exceeds 180 days.
Eligibility for POI Scheme
The POI scheme is available to all persons of Indian origin as defined by the eligibility criteria living in most destinations across the world; however, the scheme is not available to applicants resident in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka.
The key requirement for this long term Indian immigration service is that candidates have a qualifying link to India through their own birth or passport status or through a member of their family.
In some circumstances, a 'Gratis' PIO card may be granted to a person of Indian origin who is seen to have performed an important role in strengthening relations between Indian and their adopted country.
Spouse Immigration and Dependant Immigration
In India, immigration through a PIO card is intended as a long-term service.
Although not granted for life, PIO cards are issued for more than a decade at a time, and as such, provisions are made for the immediate family members of a qualifying applicant to relocate to Indian with them.
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) allows a person of Indian Origin living overseas with a grant of citizenship in their country of residence, to gain many of the same rights as a full Indian citizen.
The OCI scheme is often referred to as Indian ‘Dual Citizenship’. An OCI holder receives many, though not all of the rights and privileges enjoyed by those with Indian citizenship. India does not support dual citizenship and OCI should not be viewed as such.
Dual citizenship must be supported by both countries concerned in order to be valid, and since India does not support the practice an OCI holder who undergoes Indian naturalization for a grant of full citizenship must renounce citizenship of any country other than India.
With Overseas Citizenship of India a person will not be able to get an Indian passport and the candidate will not be eligible to vote.
Benefits of Overseas Citizenship of India
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) is granted for life and offers the opportunity to apply for Indian citizenship after 5 years of residence. This visa allows multiple entries to India. A person holding Overseas Citizenship of India is allowed to enjoy similar benefits as enjoyed by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in fields of finance, education and economy with limitation to acquisition of plantation and agricultural property in India.
An OCI holder is also allowed to take up employment in India except in a few areas like research works, mountaineering or at places where the candidate needs a Restricted Area Permit or Protected Area Permit. Under some acts, foreign nationals are not allowed to carry out professional practice in India. An OCI holder is also not allowed to hold a governmental post or any constitutional post in India.
Eligibility for Overseas Citizenship of India
In order to be eligible to secure Overseas Citizenship of India, a person has to fulfill some basic criteria. If the applicant is a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan, the candidate will not be considered eligible for this visa.
A person will be considered eligible for this visa if the candidate has been a citizen of India after January 26, 1950. A person or the candidate children and grandchildren will be considered eligible for Overseas Citizenship of India if the candidate has resided in a territory that came to be considered a part of India after August 15, 1947. A person applying for Overseas Citizenship of India should be allowed to take up dual citizenship by the government of the candidate residing country.
A foreign resident can apply for Overseas Citizenship of India in 2 ways
If a person is applying from India, the candidate can submit applications to Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or to the Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) or at Ministry of Home Affairs.
If a person wishes to apply for Overseas Citizenship of India from outside India, then the candidate can send application to the Indian Missions or Posts located in other countries. The candidate can send the application to Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), to the Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) or to OCI Cell in Foreigners Division under Ministry of Home Affairs in India.