For the past several years, most persons of Indian origin who acquired their foreign citizenship
are eligible to apply for either a
PIO card or an
OCI card. The PIO card scheme was launched earlier than the OCI card
scheme.
There are a few differences in the eligibility, process, cost and the benefits/restrictions of both the PIO and OCI card. This web page compares both types of cards. If you know of any other
difference that is worthwhile mentioning, please send an email to
and we would be glad to look into it.
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Eligibility
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Exact wording
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Eligibility basis
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Self or either parents, grandparents, great-grandparents or spouse
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Self or either parents or grandparents.
No spouse.
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Dual citizenship law of current country of citizenship
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No restriction
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Even though India does not allow dual citizenship, current country of citizenship
must allow some form of dual citizenship
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Excluded countries
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Must not have been citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka at any time
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Must not have been citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan at any time
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Foreign-born children of both Indian parents
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Eligible
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Not eligible
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Application Process
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Procedure
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One step:
Completely manual process. You must download forms and send the documents to the applicable
embassy/consulate or Indian immigration office.
The office will process and send back the PIO card after processing.
Submission of the original passport of current nationality is not required.
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Multi step:
Apply online for part A, get a registration number, submit required documents to the applicable
embassy/consulate or Indian immigration office.
Central processing of applications will occur in New Delhi, India.
Ministry sends OCI cards to embassy/consulate.
Applicant deposits passport to get OCI card stamped in passport.
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Processing time
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About 2 to 4 weeks
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About 3 to 4 months
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Application fees
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$365 for adult, $185 for child below 18 years of age
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$275 for US citizens ($295 for non-US citizens) for adult. $25 for PIO card holder if US citizen. ($45 for non-US citizen PIO card holder) .
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Refund for Application Fee(s)
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None
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Refunded after deducting $25 processing fee, if OCI card can't be issued
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Card at no charge
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Only to exceptionally eminent person of Indian origin
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To no one
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Photograph
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White or light background
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Light background
No white background
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Duplicate card fee
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$100
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$25
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Benefits/Restrictions
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Validity
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15 years (20 years in some early cases)
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Lifelong
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Visit/Work
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Yes
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Yes
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Government employment
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No
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No
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Study
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Yes, under NRI quota
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Yes, under NRI quota
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Reporting to police authorities
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Required only if staying for more than 180 days
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Not required for any length of stay
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Voting
rights
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No
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No
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Can take part in various housing schemes of LIC, state governments and other government agencies
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Yes
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Yes
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Can hold Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc
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No
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No
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Can become a candidate of Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council
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No
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No
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Can acquire agriculture or plantation land
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No
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No
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Acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except of
agricultural/plantation properties
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Yes
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Yes
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Indian passport
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No
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No
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Indian citizenship
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Can apply for Indian citizenship after being ordinarily resident of
India for 7 years
Caution: You would lose your foreign citizenship (such as US Citizenship) if you become an Indian Citizen.
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Can apply for Indian citizenship after 5 years. Must have stayed in India for at least 1 year.
Caution: You would lose your foreign citizenship (such as US Citizenship) if you become an Indian Citizen.
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Consular access
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Yes
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Indian Government Says: No
US Government Says: Yes
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Indian civil/criminal law while in India
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Yes
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Yes
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Rupee bank account in India
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Yes
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Yes
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Can lend in rupees to Indian residents
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Yes
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Yes
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Can make investments in India
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Yes
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Yes
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Can own a brokerage account
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Online trades are generally not allowed. ICICI Direct says No.
It may be allowed for certain mutual funds in certain situations. It may
also vary based on the brokerage company.
PAN number required. Paper signature required.
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INR rates at hotels and tourist places in India instead of bloated USD rates
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Officially, all non Indian citizens are supposed to pay USD rates. At such sites, there are only two categories of rates: Indian citizens and foreigners. They don't have any category for NRI, PIO or OCI. However, a person
who is of Indian origin and "looks Indian" would generally be able to get away without
paying higher fees, as the documents such as Passports are not checked at most of those places.
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Separate immigration counter at international airports in India
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Yes
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Yes
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Mountaineering, missionary and research work and existing
PAP/RAP
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