The Central Government issued a
notification specifying some rights to Overseas Citizen of India Cardholders.
OCI Cardholders can apply for multiple
entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose. However, OCI cardholder
shall be required to obtain a special permission or a Special Permit from the
competent authority or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the
Indian Mission concerned if the visit is for following purposes:-
(i)
to undertake research;
(ii)
to undertake any Missionary or Tabligh or
Mountaineering or Journalistic activities;
(iii)
to undertake internship in any foreign Diplomatic Missions or foreign
Government organisations in India or to take up
employment in any foreign Diplomatic Missions in India;
(iv)to visit any place which falls within the
Protected or Restricted or prohibited areas as notified by the Central
Government or competent authority.
Exemption from registration with the
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer
OCI cardholders can also claim exemption
from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or
Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India. But the OCI
cardholders who are normally resident in India shall intimate the jurisdictional
Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the Foreigners Registration Officer
by email whenever there is a change in permanent residential address and in
their occupation.
Parity with Indian Nationals in some
matters
They are given parity with Indian
nationals in the matter of,- (i) tariffs in air fares
in domestic sectors in India; and (ii) entry fees to be charged for visiting
national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, the national monuments, historical sites
and museums in India.
Parity with NRIs in some matters
OCI cardholders are also given parity
with Non-Resident Indians in the matter of,- (i)
inter-country adoption of Indian children subject to the compliance of the
procedure as laid down by the competent authority for such adoption; (ii) appearing
for the all India entrance tests such as National Eligibility cum Entrance
Test, Joint Entrance Examination (Mains), Joint Entrance Examination (Advanced)
or such other tests to make them eligible for admission only against any
Non-Resident Indian seat or any supernumerary seat: Provided that the OCI
cardholder shall not be eligible for admission against any seat reserved
exclusively for Indian citizens; (iii) purchase or sale of immovable properties
other than agricultural land or farm house or plantation property; and (iv)
pursuing the following professions in India as per the provisions contained in
the applicable relevant statutes or Acts as the case may be, namely:- (a)
doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists; (b) advocates; (c) architects; (d)
chartered accountants;
In respect of all other economic,
financial and educational fields not specified in this notification or the
rights and privileges not covered by the notifications made by the Reserve Bank
of India under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999), the OCI
cardholder shall have the same rights and privileges as a foreigner, the
notification reads.