@ challenger
Technically if you have OCI I assume you also have Dual nationality status, then you should be having a Indian Passport
Small correction..
Indian Govt. till date has not approved dual nationality. ie; A person cannot hold a foreign passport along with an Indian one. He/she will have to give up their Indian passport if they are accepting a foreign citizenship.
@ jaz
OCI ≠ NRI
Here is what I've found out about OCI and PIO
The Government of India has decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), which most people mistakenly refer to as 'dual citizenship.' Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) of certain categories who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country, other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible to be granted an OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.
If you get an OCI, it is NOT the same as being a regular Indian citizen: - You do not get an Indian passport. There is no such thing as an OCI passport.
- You have no voting rights.
- You cannot be a candidate for Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council or a member of the House of the People or of the Council of States.
- You cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court, etc.
- You cannot normally hold employment in the Government of India.
- Can not acquire agricultural or plantation properties in India. However, such a person can inherit such properties.
As an OCI, you will get the following benefits: - Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;
- Exemption from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
- Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields, except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
- Employment:
- Employment allowed in all areas except mountaineering, missionary and research work and other work requiring PAP/RAP. (PAP = Protected Area Permit, RAP = Restricted Area Permit).
- Employment allowed in private sector.
- Professional practice (doctor, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, chartered accountant, architect, advocate etc.) is allowed only as per provision contained in relevant Acts. Currently, MCI and DCI Acts do not allow foreign nationals to practice in India. The other Acts prescribes reciprocal facility.
OCI holders do not need to get an employment visa and are not required to register with FRRO for seeking employment.
In case the OCI holder came to India to work for a certain employer and later decides to leave the job and/or decides to change the employer, he/she does not have to leave India. - Parity with non-resident Indian in respect of:
- Entry fees to be charged for visiting the national monuments, historical sites and museums in India;
- Pursuing the professions of doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists, advocates, architects and chartered accountants.
- Appear for the All India Pre-Medical Test or such other tests to make them eligible for admission in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant acts.
Any future benefits extended to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
A person registered as an OCI is eligible to apply by the Ministry of Citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, if they are registered as an OCI for five years and have been residing in India for one of the five years before making the application. However, such a person would have to renounce their foreign citizenship.
It is anticipated that a large number of Indian Diaspora will benefit by this scheme for hassle-free travel to their motherland. They will bring economic value and benefits to the Indian economy and contribute to the development process.
PIO vs. OCI
Compared to PIO card, OCI offers the following benefits: - OCI is entitled to life long visa-free travel to India whereas for the PIO cardholder, it is limited to 15 years.
- OCI is exempted from registration with Indian Police authorities for any length of stay in India. A PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authorities for any stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit.
Hope this helps a bit.