India is one of the countries that does not encourage dual citizenships. However, due to the increasing demands of the Indian diaspora (NRIs, POIs) seeking recognition of dual citizenships, the government introduced the OCI Card. Nevertheless, an OCI may not always be a suitable option when compared to an India online visa.

What is an OCI Card?

OCI Card or the Overseas Citizenship in India is an immigration status that permits a foreign citizen (except Bangladesh and Pakistan) with an Indian origin to indefinitely live and work in India or visit India without needing a visa each time.

What is the eligibility criteria to apply for an OCI card ?

One can apply for an OCI card if they satisfy any one the following criteria:

• Were you a citizen of India on 26 January 1950 or at any time thereafter
• Belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947
• Was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950
• Was a child or a grandchild or a great-grandchild of such a citizen
• Or is a minor child of such persons as mentioned above.
• Or is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India.
• Or is a spouse of a foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7a of the citizenship Act. 1955 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

Nevertheless, acquiring an OCI card is a tedious, time-consuming, and overwhelming process. But once you get it, you will be free to visit India.

But Sometimes, you will want to visit India in a hurry, In those times you could make use of India e-tourist visas which are available much more easily and quickly .

Nevertheless, acquiring an OCI card is a tedious, time-consuming, and overwhelming process. Thus, we recommend opting for India Visa for temporary purposes.

The Ideal Alternative to an OCI: India E-visa

If you require an OCI card for staying in India for under five years, opting for an India visa is an ideal choice. This is because it is easy and convenient to apply. Also, you can apply it online through a third-party agent. Thus, it saves you both time and money unlike applying for an OCI card.

Moreover, in the case of your stay exceeding the 5-year mark, you can always apply for a new visa.

And comparatively, the cost of acquiring an Indian online visa is far less than that of an OCI.

OCI Card vs. India Visa: A Comparative Study

1. The fee involved

OCI card fee

The cost of an OCI is quite high which includes both consular fee and ICWF fee as follows;

India Visa Fees

Find the India Visa Cost given below,

Indian Visa Types	India Visa Fee	Visa Validity
e-Tourist Visa 30 Days	$25	30 Days – Double Entry
e-Tourist Visa 1 Year	$40	365 Days – Multiple Entry
e-Business Visa	$80	365 Days – Multiple Entry
e-Conference Visa	$80	30 Days – Single Entry
e-Medical Visa	$80	60 Days – Triple Entry
e-Medical Attendant Visa	$80	60 Days – Triple Entry

The visa fee is also determined by the reciprocal relationship between India and every country. For instance;

The Indian visa fees for Business Visa & Medical Visa are as follows based on the nationality –

• Free: Citizens of Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu.
• $25: Citizens of Japan, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
• $80: Citizens of the majority of countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
• $100 Citizens of the US, UK, Russia, Ukraine, and Mozambique.

2. OCI Card Eligibility

Apart from the cost and the complexities involved in applying for an OCI, there are other conditions also. And, these conditions must be satisfied. In fact, failure to comply would result in termination of your OCI or you may not be allowed to enter into the country.

So, what are these crucial factors?

• Holders of non-ordinary passports are not eligible for an OCI
• OCI not granted when either of the applicant’s parents, grandparents, great grandparents are or were citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh
• A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI card-holder is not eligible until having subsisted two years of marriage
• Military personnel with a foreign passport are not eligible for an OCI if serving retired or otherwise
• Entry/exit from the country is determined by the authenticity of the foreign passport
• Ommission of any information while applying may blacklist the applicant and the entry/exit into the country would be prohibited
• Denial of OCI and termination of the existing OCI without prior notification

3. The Complexities in the OCI Requirements and Application Process

OCI application process

One can apply for an OCI by logging on to passport.gov.in/oci. The OCI requirements must be satisfied to obtain one’s OCI within 30 working days from the date of application.

Every application is stringently scrutinized by the Ministry of Home Affairs. And, the ministry also holds the rights to reject or suspend any application for various reasons. Like lack of satisfactory security clearance, for consciously concealing any information while applying, etc.

In fact, the ministry also holds the rights to cancel or terminate an existing OCI when the person’s actions prove to be disrespectful towards the Indian Constitution.

OCI card charges include an application fee of INR 15000 or USD 275*. Once you fill the application, it must be submitted along with the fee challan at the Foreigners Regional Registration Offices or Indian Missions abroad.

OCI card requirements

• Proof of present citizenship
• Evidence of Indian origin of self, parents, grandparents, etc.
• Evidence of spouse of foreign origin married to an Indian citizen or OCI cardholder.
• Recent passport-sized photograph of the applicant
• Thumb impression of the applicant

When would an OCI cardholder require an India visa?

Often times, passports have an expiry date. While this is the case, on renewal, a new passport number is allotted. Nevertheless, a passport is linked to the OCI card, which means the OCI is stamped on the passport (used for applying for an OCI).

Though one can update the new passport number on the existing OCI, the status of the same whether accepted or otherwise is notified after thirty working days from the receipt of the online application (OCI misc)

That being said, we recommend you enter/travel India using your India visa. And, although, you may carry your old passport with your OCI, there are chances of your entry being denied into the country. Thus, we reckon OCI applicants and existing cardholders to apply for an India visa as it enables you to enter/travel the nation irrespective of the OCI discrepancies.