Transferring Indian property can be confusing and time consuming. We discuss frequently asked questions on Indian property inheritance.
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.
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Complete guide
OCI card: eligibility & how to apply
Who qualifies and what the card lets you do.
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Most read
OCI nativity certificate: proving Indian origin
Proving Indian origin without the usual documents.
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Rules & renewals
OCI card rules: renewals, passports & updates
When the card must be re-issued and updated.
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All OCI guides
Overseas Citizenship of India For NRIs | OCI Card Application
Overseas Citizenship of India is commonly misconstrued as Indian dual citizenship, however it more of a life-long visa.
Indian Property Buying, Selling and Renting for NRIs
This article aims to answer some of the most common NRI/OCI questions arising from selling, buying or renting out property in India.
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.