What Is OCI?

In India, OCI is clearly not an Indian citizen but has residency rights in the country because of their Indian origin. Outside the country, if he/she can be denoted as an Indian citizen, as in Singapore, they are Indian Singaporeans. However, as a nation, this has nothing to do with India.

OCI is like a visa to travel to India by individuals holding the passport of other nations but who belong to Indian origin or were born to Indian parents living in foreign countries. In simple words, it is a status provided to overseas citizens of India to maintain their ties with their home country.

According to me, an OCI is a green card for India without the need you live in the country. There are also shortened ways that spare you from the long naturalization process of getting citizenship, but most of these perks are sought after if you live in the country as a foreigner.

Overseas citizenship was introduced to build a strong relationship with the Global Indian diaspora, as the country does not allow dual citizenship to its citizens. Although it is not a citizenship status, it somehow almost provides the same rights and benefits to cardholders as Indian residents, except voting rights, government jobs, and owning a plantation property.

OCI is no longer a citizen of India, only a foreign citizen who has Indian origin. Although everyone doesn't need to apply for the OCI card. However, if anyone wants to maintain ties with their home country, being an OCI cardholder is the best option to do so.