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.
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.
Having an OCI card is always the best option because it lasts a lifetime. Long-term visas may have to be renewed when they expire, but OCI remains valid for a lifetime, so there is no stress of applying for extensions or applying for a visa each time you visit India.
I was born in the US, but my father is of Indian origin, and I was planning a journey to India after a few months. Should I apply for an OCI card or the usual visa, as I was planning to stay in India for more than 6-7 months?
Hey, just a heads-up to all the PIO cardholders, there is good news for all of you. The Government of India has extended the validity of the PIO card until...
An OCI cardholder has the permission to live in India for an indefinite time, whereas a PIO cardholders have a specific period. The key difference between them is in the...
The documents required for the PIO to OCI conversion are a PIO card, your current passport, an online application form, two recent passport-size photographs, proof of Indian origin, and additional...
To convert your PIO to an OCI card, submit your conversion application online at the https://ociservices.gov.in/oci website with the requested documents, along with a copy of your PIO card. Within...
I recently applied for PIO to OCI conversion, so here are the steps that I followed. Firstly, I filled out the application form at the official OCI website. After that,...
The processing time for converting a PIO to an OCI card typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. Still, the timeframe can vary based on several factors, such as the quality...
For the OCI card application, the location you choose depends on whether you are applying for the card from India or outside India. For example, if you are applying for...
To apply for OCI for the whole family, you first need to submit your Indian passport and renounce your Indian citizenship. After that, you can apply for the OCI card...
Hi, is there anybody who recently applied for an OCI Card, specifically in the last 12 months, and received it? Can you please tell me how long it took you...
To apply for an OCI card from the USA, you must first complete an online application form on the official Government of India OCI portal. Once you have filled out...
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