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OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP OF INDIA (OCI) SCHEME Who is eligible?
Note: The Contact Person : Mr. V.S. Yadav, Attache (Consular)
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme which was introduced in December 2005 has been further liberalized. The High Commission of India in Nairobi and the Assistant High Commission in Mombasa are now accepting applications from eligible persons ordinarily resident in Kenya and Eritrea, for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India. Application forms are available in the High Commission, and can also be downloaded from the following link:
A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26-01-1950 * or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26-01-1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15-08-1947** and his/her children and grandchildren. Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. Spouse of the eligible person can also apply if he/she is eligible in his/her own capacity. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI. *(Any person who or either of whose parents or any of whose grand-parents was born in India as defined in the Government of India Act,1935 (as originally enacted), and who was ordinarily residing in any country outside India was eligible to become citizen of India on 26-01-1950) **[Sikkim, Pondicherry, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Goa, Daman and Diu] It may be noted that acquisition of OCI does not amount to dual citizenship. Hence the OCI Scheme will be applicable to Kenyan citizens and citizens of other countries like UK, USA, Canada etc. who are ordinarily resident in Kenya and who otherwise are eligible for grant of OCI Card. They may apply for the OCI Card to the High Commission in Nairobi or the AHCI in Mombasa, as the case may be.
Persons registered as OCIs will be entitled to the following benefits:
However, OCIs shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a Citizen of India under Article 16 of the Constitution of India with regard to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment, election to Constitutional offices like President/Vice President/Judges of Supreme Court or High Courts/Members of Parliament or Legislative Assembly/Council, or right to vote under the Representation of People Act, 1950. The High Commission and Assistant High Commission will verify the prima facie eligibility of the applicant for OCI and forward all applications to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Successful applicants will be issued a personalized OCI booklet (registration certificate) and a Visa valid for life. The OCI booklet is printed like an Indian passport in different colour and the OCI visa sticker will be pasted in the person’s foreign passport. These two documents will have the photograph of the individual and all necessary security features. The entire process is expected to take no more than 3 to 4 weeks. Arrangements have been made for online submission of applications for grant of OCI. This application form is available on the MHA’s website: https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIRegistrationG.jsp. The Application form has 2 parts - Part A and Part B. A maximum of four persons including spouses and at most two minor children can make a joint application while applying online. A reference number will be generated automatically by the computer as an acknowledgement of submission of online application in Part-A. The Part-B of the form can be typed after downloading or handwritten and be submitted along with online submitted Part-A and all necessary enclosures, to the High Commission/Assistant High Commission. After checking all relevant details, the applicant will be issued an acknowledgement and the reference number (file number) mentioned therein can be used for status enquiries in future. Online status enquiry can be made on MHA’s website mentioned above. An applicant, against whom there is no reporting of criminal case, will be granted OCI within a period of one month whereas in cases where there is/are report(s) of criminal action, it may take four months. Every case whether granted within one month or four months will be inquired into by the security agencies of the Central Government and an OCI certificate acquired on the basis of concealed information or misrepresentation could be cancelled under the provisions of the Act. Such persons will be blacklisted for entry into India. Checking the OCI status online Status of your OCI application can be checked from https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIenquiry.jsp Enter your online registration number beginning with KENNI (…it is alphabet I and not number 1). If you find your document has been received at Nairobi, submit your passport with a printout of your Enquiry status at the Consular counter between 0930-1130 hours on all working days and collect your passport and OCI card between 1500-1600 hours the same day after producing original bank receipt. OCI Miscellaneous Services are available in the event of – (i) issuance of new passport; (ii) change of personal particulars viz. nationality; (iii) loss/damage of OCI registration certificate/visa; (iv) erroneously entering wrong personal particulars while submitting online applications; and (v) change of address and occupation. OCI Miscellaneous form is available on the following link https://passport.gov.in/oci/OnlineOCIMiscMain.jsp
The fee for registration as an OCI is US$ 275/- (or KSh. 26,200) per applicant. If due to any reason, an application is rejected, an amount of US$ 250/- will be refunded to the applicant. PIO Card holders can also apply for the OCI Scheme, if otherwise eligible. The fee for such applicant and OCI Misc.services is US$ 25 (or KSh. 2,400/-) only. DRC Residents Ambassade de L’Inde Nairobi |
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