If you are an NRI and are unsure whether you must link Aadhaar PAN, it is now a mandatory requirement. However with exception to those who fall under the exempt list. Furthermore, you may have received recent notifications from your Indian bank to link Aadhaar and...
OCI Card Guides and Insights
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status is a lifelong entry and residence facility for people of Indian origin who hold foreign citizenship, including British citizens. It allows an OCI to live, work and study in India without a separate visa. These guides cover eligibility, the application and documents, re-issue rules, and the rights an OCI card gives in India. Start with the cornerstone guides, or browse the full list below.
Start here
Complete guide
OCI card: eligibility & how to apply
Who qualifies and what the card lets you do.
Read guide ›
Most read
OCI nativity certificate: proving Indian origin
Proving Indian origin without the usual documents.
Read guide ›
Rules & renewals
OCI card rules: renewals, passports & updates
When the card must be re-issued and updated.
Read guide ›
All OCI guides
Overseas Indian Citizen – Mutation of Property
For an Overseas Indian Citizen, the mutation of property in an Indian property sale process is an important part of know-how. It can have a considerable impact on the overall selling plan if things are not in order. In this segment we look at the "title ownership of...
PAN Card Status – Track PAN 2023
When applying for your PAN Card, you should know what the different stages of your PAN Card Status indicate once your application is with the depositary. This segment answers three key questions that Overseas Indian Citizens find confusing, despite the information set...
OCI Card Application Documents
This post explores the supporting documents needed for an OCI Card application and their significance in the application process. The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is a lifelong travel document that allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to travel,...
Indian Property Sale – Overseas Indian Citizen
Overview As an Overseas Indian Citizen you may wish to sell property in India. Our previous segments, selling your property in India, or executing a power of attorney, discuss legal requirements around the ownership of property as an Overseas Indian Citizen. In...
Update PAN Card – NRI OCI Overseas Indian
Existing PAN card holders may want to update PAN Card. How to update a change of details on an existing PAN for NRI OCI Foreign Citizens.
Non Resident External (Indian Assets) – NRI OCI
If you’re an Overseas Indian, you should know about the Non Resident External Account and its key benefits to your Indian financial affairs.
NRI OCI PIO – FEMA Act & Assets In India
Acquisition and transfer of immovable property in India by NRIs / PIOs / Foreign Nationals of Non-Indian Origin is regulated by the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Popularly referred to as FEMA Act. This segment continues from our last article(s) Buying Indian...
PAN Card – Useful Information
In view of our last segments discussing PAN Card for NRI, OCI, we look at some further useful information that may apply to you. If you’ve missed the most recent segments, you can read them here - Form 49AA, Avoid mistakes. As an NRI, OCI, Non resident of India...
NRI OCI Property – Repatriation of Sale Proceeds
In this article we discuss Immovable assets. Specifically property that an NRI, OCI may sell in India and subsequently require to repatriate proceeds of the sold property. We look at NRI OCI Property - Repatriation of Sale proceeds inline with the guidelines of RBI -...
Common questions about the OCI card
Who is eligible for an OCI card?
A person is generally eligible if they are of Indian origin and hold foreign citizenship, including people who were citizens of India or eligible to be, and their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The spouse of an OCI or Indian citizen may also qualify, subject to conditions. Former citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh are not eligible.
Does an OCI card need to be re-issued?
The OCI card is issued for life, so it is not renewed in the way a passport is. It does, however, need to be re-issued in certain situations, most commonly when a younger holder obtains a new passport. The re-issue rules have changed in recent years, so the current position should be checked before travel.
Can a British citizen hold OCI status?
Yes. OCI status is designed for people of Indian origin who hold foreign citizenship, which includes British citizens. India does not permit dual citizenship, so OCI is the status that keeps a lifelong connection to India after a person has become British. It is not Indian citizenship and does not carry an Indian passport.
How Whytecroft Ford can help
The Whytecroft Ford Indian law team assists UK-based clients with OCI applications and re-issues, from confirming eligibility to assembling the origin and citizenship evidence in the form the application requires. To discuss an OCI application with our team, call 0208 757 5751 or use the contact form.
The material in this article is provided for guidance and general information only and is not intended to constitute legal or other professional advice upon which you should rely. In particular, the information should not be used as a substitute for a full and proper consultation with a suitably qualified professional. Indian Law is subject to change. Please do contact the Whytecroft Ford team if you require further advice.