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The FRRO reportedly issued a ‘Leave India’ notice to actor and OCI cardholder Imran Khan, after he took part in a protest in Mumbai. The case has brought attention to what an OCI card does and does not allow.
Context of the News
What Is OCI?
- A special immigration status, introduced in 2005 under the Citizenship Act, 1955
- Available to foreign nationals of Indian origin
- Not available to those with roots in Pakistan or Bangladesh
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Is an OCI Holder an Indian Citizen?
No. This is the core point.
- Article 9 of the Constitution bars dual citizenship
- An OCI cardholder stays a foreign national, holding a foreign passport
- Despite the word “citizenship” in the name, it is essentially a lifelong visa
What Does an OCI Card Give You?
- A lifelong, multiple-entry, multi-purpose visa to visit India
- Exemption from registering with the FRRO, no matter how long the stay
- Parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational matters
- But not for buying agricultural or plantation property
What Can an OCI Holder Not Do?
- No political rights — under Section 7B of the Citizenship Act, 1955:
- No Article 19 protections
- Activities needing prior permission — under the March 2021 OCI notification:
Important Facts for Examsmost asked
- OCI introduced in 2005, under the Citizenship Act, 1955
- An OCI cardholder is a foreign national, not an Indian citizen
- Article 9 bars dual citizenship
- Section 7B denies voting rights, election candidacy and constitutional offices
- Article 19 rights apply only to citizens; Articles 14 and 21 apply to all persons, including foreigners
- Cannot buy agricultural or plantation land
- The March 2021 notification requires prior permission for journalism, research, missionary work, mountaineering and protected area visits
- Not available to people of Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin
- The PIO card scheme was merged into OCI in 2015
- Articles only for citizens: 15, 16, 19, 29 and 30
