Is a Refugee/stateless Person Allowed to Be Registered as OCI Cardholder?

AS Posted by: Amit Sharma
• 02 October, 2025
1 Reply

No, a stateless/refugee person of any country cannot apply for an OCI card or register for an OCI card on the spouse's basis. If a person has an OCI card and they get refugee status in another country, then under those conditions his/her OCI card will be ceased and they need to apply for a valid visa to travel to India.

Tags : refugee oci eligibility

  • Vipul Dulani 03 October, 2025

    Stateless/ refugee people don't have a valid citizenship of any country, and because they don't have any historical connection to India or any descendants, they are not qualified for the OCI registration. According to the government of India, only these are eligible to apply for an OCI. 

     

    • Who is a citizen of India at the time of the formation of the Constitution, which is 26 January 1950.  
    • Who is eligible to get indian citizenship or become an Indian citizen on January, 26,1950.
    • Child of Indian origin parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. 
    • Minor who is a child of parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. 
    • Who belonged to the Indian territory on and after 15 August 1947. 

     

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