Updated 15 January 2014
At the recent 6th Executive Council Meeting held in Mumbai on 4 January 2014, attendees felt that it would be extremely beneficial for foreign nationals to obtain the OCI PIO card for India to use for travel, investment and other purposes.
An OCI (Overseas citizenship of India) entitles the individual to lifelong visa-free travel to India. Anyone outside the age group of 21 and 50 must get a new OCI upon renewing their passport.
The PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card allows free travel and gives several benefits to the cardholder for a period of 15 years.
By obtaining and OCI/PIO, there are several financial benefits, develops a connection to our heritage and provides potential future opportunities, especially in unstable countries. Please refer to the attached form for further details.
The process to apply is outlined here.
The following list of documents may be used to apply for the OCI. As many documents from the list should be used:
• Current foreign citizenship passport with 6 month valid Indian Visas
• Birth certificate
• Old Indian cancelled passports and surrender certificate
• Parents & Grandparents passports
• Parents & Grandparents birth certificates
• Indian school leaving certificate
• School leaving certificate of parents
• Photographs
• Registration as a foreigner with local Commissioner of Police in India
• Local resident address
• Original PIO (if PIO holder)
• DD of Rs. 15000
• Any documents to prove Indian Origin
If possible, The World Federation recommends that community members apply for the OCI/PIO due to the long term potential benefits.
For further information email secretariat@world-federation.org