FAQs on OCI Services

Q. What are the Benefits for an OCI card holder?

A. An OCI [Overseas Citizen of India] card holder gets the following benefits:

1. A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.

2. Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.

3. Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

4. OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving license as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.

Q. What are the benefits which an OCI Card holder is not entitled to?

A. The OCI Card holder is not entitled:

1.To vote,

2. To be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,

3. To hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.

4. He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government

5. To buy an agricultural land

Q. Are Minor children eligible for OCI Card?

A. Yes. If either of the parents is eligible for OCI Card or holds Indian passport.

Q. Do I have to fill all columns when filling up the application online?

A. Yes. It is mandatory that no column is left unanswered.

Q. Can I submit my OCI application through an agent?

A. No. OCI applications can be submitted either at the Counter of the Consulate General of India, Saint Denis (Reunion Island) by the applicants in person or by the spouse or by the parents in case of minors. Alternatively, they can also be submitted by post along with a self-addressed envelope.

Q. What is the processing time of application?

A. 6-8 weeks (if there is not technical problem viz. non-acceptance of photographs etc.). Please note that the OCI applications are processed in consultation with concerned authorities in Delhi. Upon completion and approval, OCI cards are couriered to the Consulate by concerned Government of India authorities in Delhi. Processing of OCI application could hence take 6-8 weeks. For ascertaining the status of the application online, queries could be made at https://ociservices.gov.in/

Q. Can I print an application form and fill it handwritten?

A. No, application form has to be filled online only and printed. Part B can be handwritten and a separate copy has to be attached with all the applicants.

Q.I/my child cannot sign; can we leave the signature box empty?

A. No. Signature box cannot be left empty in any case. Please provide a thumb print for the person who cannot sign.

Q. How many copies of application have to be submitted?

A. Only one Set of Application has to be submitted for each applicant.

Q. Where to submit the application?

A. Submit the application directly to the Consulate General of India, Saint Denis (Reunion Island) at: Consulate General of India,111 rue Léopold Rambaud, 97490 Sainte-Clotilde,Saint-Denis,La Réunion.

Q. Can foreign nationals, who are not otherwise eligible for OCI, get OCI if they are married to persons who are eligible for OCI?

A. The spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application can apply for OCI.

Q. Is an applicant who had held nationality of Pakistan or Bangladesh, eligible for OCI?

A. No, if the applicant has ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he / she will not be eligible for OCI.

Q. Is there an emergency service for OCI?

A. No. In case of emergency, please apply for visa.

Q. I am an OCI holder. What documents should I carry while travelling to India?

A.

Q. Can I travel to India during the process of OCI?

A. Yes, you can apply visa and travel to India but it is recommended to check status of application before you apply for visa.

Q. Can an OCI holder undertake Research work in India?

A. Yes, after getting prior approval/special permission from MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs). Go to the OCI website https://ociservices.gov.in/ and register yourself with the requisite documents.

Q. Whether foreign military personnel are eligible for grant of OCI?

A. NO, foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for grant of OCI.

Q. Can a person registered as an OCI travel to protected area/restricted area without permission?

A.No. He/she will be required to seek Protected Area Permit (PAP)/ Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for such visits.

Note: For any other questions besides the ones mentioned above, the request may be made on following emails:-cons.reunion@mea.gov.in and cons2.reunion@mea.gov.in and at following telephone no. (+262) 262 41 75 47 between 09:00AM to 05:30PM on working days.