What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO cardholders?


(i) OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India whereas for PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.
(ii) PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.



PIO Advantages :

1) The holder is allowed visa free entry.

2) The holder is given all the rights, which an NRI has - including the acquisition/holding/transfer/disposal of non-agricultural land.

3) The holder's children can study in Indian institutions (under the NRI category) including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).

4) The holder need not report his presence to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office upon landing in India - though he has to do so if his stay extends beyond the stipulated 180 days.

5) The holder can benefit from the housing opportunities announced by the LICs, the State Governments or other Government Agencies.

6) Any other benefits extended to NRIs will also be automatically extended to the PIO cardholders.

Other Points Worth Noting :

1) The card is issued to eligible applicants through the concerned Indian Embassies / High Commissions / Consulates. For those staying in India on long- term visas it is issued through the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai - addresses appear further down in the article).

2) The fee for the card, which will have a validity of 20 years, is US $1000. Should the application be rejected (no cause need be assigned) only US $750 will be refunded.

3) Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh (and such other countries, which may be notified from time to time) are not allowed to participate in the scheme.

4) Like the NRIs, PIO cardholders will not be allowed to purchase agricultural / plantation land or land in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

5) Within 30 days of the lapse of the said 180 days of visa free entry, one will have to register with the Foreigners Registration Office at the district headquarters [addresses given as follows: (a) Delhi Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Hans Bhavan, I.P. Estate New Delhi - 110002. (b) Mumbai Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Annex II, Commissioner of Police, Craw Ford Market, Mumbai - 400001. (c) Calcutta Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 237, Acharya Jagdish Calcutta - 700020 (d) Chennai Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annex, No.26, Haddows Road, Chennai- 600006. (B) Those residing in areas other than (A) above:- Joint Secretary (Foreigners). Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market New Delhi-110003.]

6) PIO cardholders are not given any political/voting rights.


Advantages
1. PIO Card holder shall not require a visa to visit India.
2. PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if his/her stay in India does not exceed 180 days.
3. In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO Card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Registration Officer at District Headquarter.
4. Parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial, educational fields, etc. These facilities will include:-
o Acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except of agricultural/plantation properties;
o admission of children in educational institutions in India under the general category quota for NRIs - including medical / engineering college, IITs, IIMs etc.
o various housing schemes of Life Insurance Corporation of India, State Governments and other Government agencies;
5. All future benefits that would be extended to NRIs would also be available to the PIO Card holders.


Restrictions
1. No parity with resident Indians or NRIs regarding any political rights.
2. It does not give voting rights to the holders of the Card.
3. The right to buy property would not be valid to Jammu & Kashmir.


What are the advantages of OCI when compared to PIO cardholders?
(i) OCI is entitled to life long visa free travel to India whereas for PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.
(ii) PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.

40. Whether an OCI be entitled to apply for and obtain a normal Indian passport which is given to a citizen of India?
No. Indian Passport is given only to an Indian citizen.





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Overseas Citizenship of India (NOT a Dual Citizenship)


Overview
Despite all the news coverage and excitement over this issue, please understand clearly that the Constitution of India does NOT allow dual citizenship, i.e., holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously.

Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) which most people mistakenly refer to as 'dual citizenship'. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

If you get OCI, it is NOT the same as being a regular Indian citizen:
� You do not get an Indian passport.
� No voting rights.
� Can not be a candidate for Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council
� Can not hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc.
� Cannot normally hold employment in the Government.
As OCI, you 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.
Any further benefits 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 OCI is eligible to apply by the Ministry of citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application. However, such person would have to renounce foreign citizenship.

It is anticipated that a large number of Indian Diaspora will be benefited by this scheme for a hassle free travel to their motherland. They will bring economic value and benefits to 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 PIO cardholder, it is for 15 years.
� PIO cardholder is required to register with local Police authority for stay exceeding 180 days in India on any single visit whereas OCI is exempted from registration with Police authority for any length of stay in India.




I) Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)

OCI Scheme is not yet operational. The date of operationalising the OCI scheme would be announced in due course. The procedure, forms, brochure and FAQs are displayed for information.

(II) Highlights of the Scheme

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as �Dual Citizenship�. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category as has been specified in the Brochure who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

2. Persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:

(i) Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;

(ii) Exemption from reporting to Police authorities for any length of stay in India; and

(iii) Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields, except in the
acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

3. Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

4. A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.

BROCHURE ON OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI)

1. Eligibility criteria:

A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

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For PIO card (Fee mentioned is wrong)

"Other Points Worth Noting :

2) The fee for the card, which will have a validity of 20 years, is US $1000. Should the application be rejected (no cause need be assigned) only US $750 will be refunded."


According to the Counsulte website the fee is:


The correct fee charged is"

PIO Card Fee

i) Fee for new PIO Card for persons above 18 years of age –
Canadian Dollars 480/-


ii) Fee for new PIO Card for children below 18 years of age –
Canadian Dollars 240/-

Thanks for the correction.

what r the property ownership/inheritance rights for PIO/OCIs/NRIs. are their any restrictions on receiving/selling property got as inheritance.

on the indianembassy.org website the fees for PIO is USD 310 see this link http://www.indianembassy.org/policy/PIO/Introduction_PIO.html

where as on the toronto indian consulate website the fees for PIO is CAD 480 http://www.cgitoronto.ca/



on the New York Indian consulate website, the OCI application fees is USD 275 http://www.indiacgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=383.

where as on the toronto indian consulate website the fees for OCI is CAD 421 http://www.cgitoronto.ca/

How come such a large difference? the USD to CAD conversion rate is not that high.

Any thoughts??

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Indian IT Guys Rules........

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Originally posted by sallusworld

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How come such a large difference? the USD to CAD conversion rate is not that high.

Any thoughts??

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Give free food http://www.thehungersite.com ||

Quote:

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Originally posted by rajcanada

Quote:

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Originally posted by sallusworld

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How come such a large difference? the USD to CAD conversion rate is not that high.

Any thoughts??

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The fee is not based on currency conversion of USD to CAD or INR to CAD. It is the fees that Indian High Commission/consulate will accept in local currency.

What it is based on, I do not know. OCI/PIO fee is more than what is for Canadian citizenship and they will not even reply to your emails and faxes.

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