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The difference between an OCI card and a visa to India is that an OCI is a lifetime visa that allows a person to travel and stay in India for an indefinite period, while a regular Indian visa is for a short-term entry permit issued for various purposes, like tourism, business, and education. OCI card offers a lifetime entry and exit, while visas are typically valid for a shorter duration.
OCI card allows foreign nationals of Indian origin to live, stay, or work in India for an indefinite time, without reporting to any local police or higher official, and grants you many benefits like multiple visa-free entries, own residential or commercial property, and almost equal rights as Indian citizens. On the other hand, a visa allows you to stay in India for a short period. It has restrictions that you can face while in India as compared to the Overseas Citizenship of India.
If you wish to stay in India for a longer duration, then OCI is generally the better option because it grants permanent residency status and has fewer restrictions. However, if you travel occasionally or for a shorter duration, then a visa might be enough.
The choice between an OCI card (Overseas Citizen of India) and a visa depends on your needs and situation. An OCI card is a form of permanent residency in India, with which the cardholder can live and work for as long as they want. On the other hand, a visa allows you to stay in India for a specific period and may require renewal or extensions.
There are significant differences between an OCI card and a visa to India. To clear your confusion, an OCI card is essentially a lifelong visa that permits multiple entry and multi-purpose access to India. On the other hand, a visa is a temporary entry permit issued for a specific purpose and duration.
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Some of the major differences between the OCI card and the Indian visa are OCI card allows you to make a connection with India long life, but with an Indian visa, you cannot stay for a long period. An OCI card has an endless validity, and a stay duration without reporting to anyone, but an Indian visa is valid for a limited time, depending on the visa type. An OCI card offers many rights and privileges to foreign nationals of Indian citizens, but Indian visa holders have limited rights and privileges according to their visa duration, and OCI cardholders have the right to live, work, or stay in India, weather. Indian visa holders depend on the visa type, such as a work visa, a business visa, or a tourist visa.