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By Vipul Jain | 11 Dec, 2024
Almost every person in India is familiar with the word NRI, but do you know there are two more types of status that the Indian government offers to foreign citizens of Indian origin? These are OCI and PIO cards. Since the Indian Constitution does not allow dual citizenship, unlike other countries, to its foreign citizens. Considering this, OCI and PIO schemes were introduced for these people to maintain their connections with India. In addition, also offer them specific privileges and rights like Indian citizens. However, these schemes are not the same; there is a huge difference between OCI and PIO cards. Want to know about it? Then you are at the right place. Here, the complete blog is about OCI and PIO cards and how they are different from each other. So, let's start reading it.
A PIO or Person of Indian Origin is a foreign citizen who has Indian ancestry. If you or your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents belonged to Indian territory that on or after 15 August 1947 became part of India, or were born in India, then you are eligible to apply for a PIO card. This status connects foreign citizens of Indian origin to their Indian roots and culture. In 1999, the Indian Government launched the PIO card scheme. However, it is vital to note that there are some exclusions for people who are not eligible to apply for a PIO card. Individuals with ancestry from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka, Iran, Nepal, or Bhutan are not eligible to apply for the card.
This was all about persons of Indian origin (PIO). Moving forward, let's know the benefits of having this card by your side.
A PIO card offers several benefits to its cardholder, making it simple for Indian origin people to visit, live, and engage in India without any issue. Some of these perks include:
These are the benefits that a PIO card provides to its cardholders. Moving ahead, let's know the documents required to apply for this card.
With a completely filled PIO application form with correct information, a PIO card requires submission of several documents. Here is a list of them:
These are the documents needed when applying for a PIO card. Moving forward, let's know who is eligible to apply for a PIO card overseas or in India.
These are the foreign people who are eligible to become a PIO cardholder:
This is all about who is eligible to apply for a PIO card. Moving ahead, let's know about the OCI card and how it is different from the PIO card.
The Overseas Citizenship of India or OCI scheme was introduced in August 2005 by amending the 1955 Citizenship Act. An OCI card is a form of permanent residency available for foreign citizens of Indian origin and their spouses and children. It was designed to offer non-resident Indians similar perks to those of Indian residents without providing them complete Indian citizenship. An OCI card status is seen as a long-term visa with several perks, making it a perfect choice for the Indian diaspora.
This was all about Overseas Citizens of India. Moving further, let's know what are the benefits of having this card by your side.
These are the following benefits of having an OCI card by your side:
These are the perks of having an OCI card by your side. Now, moving further, let's know the documents required to apply for an OCI card.
To apply for an OCI card, you need to submit the following documents. Apart from the below-listed papers, you need to attach a photocopy of the same with the application form. These generally include:
These are the documents needed for the OCI application. The documents needed for an OCI card depend on the application type. Apart from this, as per the circumstances of individuals, the document requirement may vary. Moving ahead, let's know who is eligible to apply for an OCI card.
Here are the following eligibility criteria that a person needs to fulfill to apply for an OCI card:
A foreign nation of Indian origin is eligible to apply for an OCI card if they:
A minor child from any above-mentioned categories or who has at least one parent Indian is also eligible to apply for an OCI card.
A foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder is also eligible to apply for an OCI card using their partner's status. However, for this, they need to provide their registered marriage certificate, and their marriage has lasted for a minimum of two continuous years before applying for the OCI card.
Foreign individuals do not have the permission to apply for an OCI card while being in India on a tourist, mountaineering, or missionary visa. In addition, they should be ordinarily resident in India for a minimum of six months continuously when applying for the OCI card in India. Here, the term 'ordinarily resident' means staying in one place or India for a continuous 180 days.
These are the people who are eligible to apply for an OCI card. Additionally, foreign individuals or their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were Pakistan, Bangladesh, or belong to any other country who are specified by the government of India are not eligible to apply for an OCI card.
Now that you know the basic difference between the two cards. Moving further, let's know the difference between OCI and PIO cards concerning general living in India.
Let's take a brief overview of the difference between OCI and PIO cards, making a comparison in the daily activities of a cardholder in India:
| Basis | OCI Cardholder | PIO Cardholder |
|---|---|---|
| Employment Options in India | OCI cardholders do not need to apply for a work visa to work in India and can live permanently in India. There are no such restrictions for their employment except in fields that need special Protected and Restricted area permits. | PIO cardholders also do not need an employment visa to work in India. However, to stay more than 180 days in the country, they need to register themselves with their nearby FRRO/ FRO office and obtain a special work permit. Apart from the fields that need special permission, like OCIs, they do not have any employment restrictions in the country. |
| Economic and Financial Rights | Besides not investing in agricultural and plantation properties, OCI cardholders are eligible to apply for a PAN card, a driving license, open bank accounts, invest, and earn in India like local citizens. | PIO cardholders are also eligible to apply for a driving license, PAN card, open a bank account, invest, and earn in India like Indian residents. However, they cannot hold any type of plantation property in India, i.e., agricultural land, a farmhouse, etc. |
| Tax Liabilities | If an OCI cardholder generates income in India, it is taxable. The taxation also depends on their ROR (ordinary resident) or RNOR (not ordinarily resident) status. In case the cardholder has any immovable property in India that it is not taxable. However, if the OCI cardholder sells that property and earns a profit, then he/she needs to pay tax on that profit. | If a PIO card is earned in India, on that income, he/she needs to pay tax. The tax will be calculated as per their ROR or RNOR status. Additionally, if the cardholder has any immovable property in India, there will be no taxation on it. However, if he/she sell that property and earn a profit on it, then it will be taxed. |
| Education Rights | Have greater access to Indian educational institutions and scholarships. | Have limited access to Indian educational institutions and scholarships. |
| Indian Citizenship | Individuals registered as overseas citizens of India for 5 years and residing in India for one year before application registration are eligible to be Indian citizens. | According to the Citizenship Act, PIO cardholders should stay in India for a minimum of 7 years before applying for Indian citizenship. |
These are the general differences between OCI and PIO cards. Apart from all the benefits that both cards provide to their cardholders, there are certain limitations that they also have. Want to know what they are? Read the next section and get your answers.
While OCI and PIO cardholders enjoy many rights and privileges in India, there are some restrictions on what they are not permitted to do. As an OCI and PIO cardholder, you cannot:
Despite having several privileges and rights, these are the restrictions that both the cardholders face. As the PIO and OCI card schemes have merged, from January 2015, the Indian government has discontinued the issuance of new PIO cards. Additionally, to enjoy the benefits of a foreign citizen of Indian origin, all the existing PIO cardholders need to convert their PIO card to OCI cards. It is mandatory to do so by all the applicants.
Knowing the OCI and PIO statuses is vital for people of Indian origin who want to maintain their connection with India and their heritage. Here in this blog, we learn about the difference between OCI and PIO cards and the benefits and rights these cards provide to the cardholders. However, as mentioned already, PIO cards are invalid now; therefore, individuals living outside India can only apply for an OCI card. So, if you are planning to apply for an OCI card and looking for assistance in this, connect with Visament. We have a team of experts by our side who can help you in simply applying for your OCI card and enjoy its perks.
Yes, Person of Indian Origin cards are still valid in India till December 31, 2024.
Yes, PIO can become an Indian citizen if they register as an OCI.
Yes, PIO are able to own property in India subject to certain conditions.
OCI cardholders can live in India for an unlimited period of time.
The OCI cardholders do not have the right to vote in Indian elections and cannot work in government sectors. Additionally, they do not have the permission to be a member of the Legislative Council, Legislative Assembly, or Parliament, and cannot hold constitutional posts such as the Supreme Court or High Court judge, President, or Vice President.
PIOs are people of Indian origin who are citizens of countries other than India. An individual is eligible to apply for a PIO card if he/she at had an Indian passport, his/ her parents, grandparents, or great grandparents were born or permanently lived in India, or belonged to a territory that, on and after 15 August 1947, became part of India.
Yes, with an OCI card, you can live permanently in India. An OCI card provides cardholders the right to live in India for an indefinite time and visa-free travel. In addition, allow the individuals to enter the country multiple times for multiple purposes.
No, an OCI card is not valid without a passport. Although the card provides visa-free travel to India to the cardholders. However, one should have a valid passport by their side from the country they are currently a citizen of to use it with an OCI card.
Yes, you can apply for an OCI or PIO card online. However, you cannot apply for PIO cards since the scheme is discontinued by the Indian government and merged with the OCI card, so you can only apply for the OCI card. To do so, you can use the Indian government OCI services website. Through this, you can fill out the application form, submit the required documents, pay the applicable fee online, and book an appointment with the Indian consulate or embassy for your biometrics data and physical submission of the application.
PIO and OCI cardholders do not have permission to vote in Indian elections, they cannot purchase any plantation property, and hold government jobs. In addition, they need permission to visit restricted and preserved areas. Also, do not participate in Indian elections or hold any constitutional positions.
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