India clarifies no changes to overseas citizenship of India (OCI) rules
- In Reports
- 04:02 PM, Sep 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Ministry of External Affairs clarified on Saturday that there have been no recent changes to the rules governing Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders. The statement was issued in response to news reports and concerns raised by the Indian American community.
The Consulate General of India in New York issued a statement saying, "We have come across news reports spreading false information that restrictions have been placed on OCI cardholders in the recent past." The statement continued, “Friends in the Indian American community are hereby informed that no new change has been introduced in the recent past for OCI cardholders. Provisions of Gazette Notification http://F.No. 26011/CC/05/2018-OCI dated March 4, 2021, regarding the rights of OCI cardholders continue to remain in force.”
Recently, several OCI cardholders had raised concerns, claiming they were being classified as foreigners and were subject to stricter rules, including needing special permissions to visit certain areas like Jammu & Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh.
However, the ministry reassured the public that these rules have been in place since March 2021 and that no new amendments have been made. They reiterated that the government is simply enforcing the rules already outlined in the 2021 notification.
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme was initially introduced in August 2005 by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955. This program allows Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were Indian citizens as of January 26, 1950, or were eligible to become citizens on that date, to register as Overseas Citizens of India.
A registered OCI cardholder is granted several benefits, including a multiple-entry, lifelong visa to visit India for any purpose. They are also exempt from registering with the Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) for any length of stay in the country. Additionally, they enjoy the same rights as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial, and educational matters, except when it comes to acquiring agricultural or plantation property.
The ministry’s statement aims to put an end to misinformation circulating among OCI cardholders and reassure the community that no recent changes have been implemented.
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