Frequently Asked Questions

Q/s. No.1. I have recently acquired a new passport; do I need to re-issue my OCI card?

OCI Card must be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the age of 20 years and once after completing 50 years of age. Re-issuance of the OCI card is not mandatory each time a new passport is issued between 21 and 50 years of age.

Q/s. No.2. I am a person of Indian origin as my parents were born in undivided India before partition. After partition, they briefly held Pakistani citizenship before moving to Mauritius. Am I eligible for an OCI card?

No. If the applicant, or his/her parents or grand-parents have ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for an OCI card.

Q/s. No.3. I hold a valid PIO Card. Am I required to convert this to an OCI Card? Will my PIO Card be valid beyond the conversion deadline?

Yes, the date for submission of applications for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card online has been extended till 31st December 2023. No, PIO card will not be valid beyond the conversion deadline.

Q/s. No.4. I am a Mauritian living abroad. Do I need to submit my OCI card application in Mauritius only?

All eligible Mauritians can submit the OCI card application along with requisite documents and applicable fee either at the Indian Mission abroad or FRRO in India servicing the area of residence. To learn about the jurisdiction of Indian Missions or FRRO you may visit Indian Mission website of your country of residence or FRRO. Contact list is available on https://boi.gov.in/content/frro-contact-list

Q/s. No.5. I have acquired Mauritian citizenship recently. Is an Indian citizenship Renunciation Certificate compulsory before I apply for an OCI Card? What is the procedure to apply for a Renunciation Certificate? How long does it take to issue it?

Yes, a Renunciation Certificate is compulsory before applying for an OCI card. You can apply for renunciation certificate through indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in website. It takes up to 45-60 days to issue Renunciation Certificate.

Q/s. No.6. My spouse is a foreign national of non-Indian origin. I hold an OCI Card. Is my spouse entitled to an OCI Card? What about my children?

Yes, 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 an OCI card. 

Q/s. No.7. Are foreign military personnel of Indian origin eligible for OCI cards?

No, foreign military personnel either in service or retired are not entitled for grant of OCI Card. No person who has earlier served in a foreign military organization is eligible for an OCI card.

Q/s. No.8. What are the benefits to which an OCI card holder is NOT entitled to?

The OCI Card holder is not entitled:

• to vote;
• to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India;
• to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.;
• He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government of India.
• to undertake any Missionary work, Mountaineering and Journalism without prior permission of the Govt. of India;

OCI cardholder shall also require Protected Area Permit (PAP) / Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place which falls within the Protected/Restricted Area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.

Q/s. No.9. Do I have to collect the OCI Card in person?

Yes. For collection of the OCI Card, the applicant is required to be present at the concerned Indian Mission/FRRO in person or he/she can send a duly authorised person along with his/her original passport for this purpose. However, the condition is that the applicant should be physically present in the country of issuance of the OCI Card when it is collected through an authorized person.