US E2 Visa / OCI Card

US E2 Visa

Long awaited OCI Scheme is now operational from 2nd December 2005. The constitution of India does not allow holding Indian Citizenship & citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. But on the recommendation of the high level committee on India Diaspora, the Govt. of India decided to grant overseas citizenship (0C1) commonly known as a dual citizenship.

DUAL CITIZENSHIP NOW PHRASED AS OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP. All those who are eligible to become Indian Citizens January’26th 1950 or belongs to territories that become part of India after August’ 15 1947 would be eligible for” Overseas Citizenship of India as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other.

P.M. said “The Govt. has decided to offer dual citizenship to all overseas Indians who migrated from the country after 26th January 1950, as long as their home country allows dual citizenship under their law.”

The Bill which amends the citizenship Act’ 1955, simplifies the procedure to reacquire the Indian citizenship by adult who are children of Indian citizens & Former Indian Citizens.

If provides for grant of overseas citizenship of India to PIOS belonging to 16 specified countries & India citizen who chose to acquire citizenship of any of these countries out a later date. It also makes acquisition of Indian citizenship & naturalization more stringent with safeguards against illegal migrants becoming eligible for Indian Citizenship.

For those who have taken foreign passports, the grant of dual citizenship will remove the obstacles in travel to & from India with no multiple visa requirement. Due to security reasons, the dual citizenship facility was extended to PIOS of 16 countries only Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., & Israel, Italy.

Now it will be available to all PIO across the world.

The grant of dual citizenship was intended to remove for those who have taken foreign passports, the obstacle in travel to & from India, permit investment in business ventures & Foster a greater sense of belongings.

This provision is an incentive for people to relate themselves with India to make investments to make technology transfer & such like things.

Registration Benefits

Registered OCI shall be entitled to following benefits

  • It is a Multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India
  • Exemption from reporting to police Authorities for any length of stay in India
  • Parity with NRIs in financial, economic & educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties
  • Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas India Affairs (MOIA) Under Section 7-B(I) of the Citizenship Act, 1955
  • A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian Citizenship

Under Section 5(1)(g) of Citizenship Act, 1955 if he or, she is registered as OCI for five years & has been residing in Indian for one year out of 5 years before making the application.

Prevention

Under Section 7-B(2) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights, election to Look Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislature Assembly/Council, holding constitutions posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court for appointment of Public Services & Posts in connection with the Affairs of the Union or of any State.