The constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously.  However, based on the recommendation of the High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India have decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India(OCI) commonly known as ‘Dual Citizenship’.  The Parliament of India approved the relevant bill in this connection in August, 2005.  Persons of Indian origin(PIOs) of certain category who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

2.      Persons registered as Overseas Citizen of India will not have the right of voting, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, constitutional posts such as President, Vice-President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCI shall be entitled to the following benefits:

1. multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;

2. exemption from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in India; and

3. parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties

4.      A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she has been registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year, out of the five years before making the application.

5.      For getting one registered under the OCI Scheme, one has to apply to the Indian Mission/Post in the country of citizenship of the applicant, on a form prescribed for the purpose.

6.      The registration fee is US $275 for each applicant. In case of PIO card holder, the fee is US $25.  An amount of US $250 shall be refunded if the registration is refused.

7.      For more details about the OCI Scheme, the website www.mha.nic.in may be visited.  It may be noted that the Scheme is ;not yet operational.  The information pasted herein, therefore, may be treated as advance information.



Embassy of India, Belgrade has started to accept applications for the Overseas Citizenship of India with effect from January 9, 2006. Applications for OCI service can be made at the Embassy between 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs. on all working days and by post also. Applicants are advised to ensure that no column of the application is left unattended. Apart from affixing photographs and signatures at the designated places on the application, it may also be ensured that the requisite numbers of spare photographs (04 in all) of prescribed size are enclosed with the application. Photographs should be 35X35 mm in size with white background, front pose, both shoulders and both ears visible . Applicant’s signature/thumb impression should not touch outlines of the signature box. The existing foreign passport, cancelled or expired Indian Passport if available and their photocopies also need to be enclosed along with theapplication.

Fee for OCI services will be as under:

The fee will be collected in cash or in Serbian Postal Orders only. In case, you are paying fee in cash please bring exact amount. If paying by postal orders, only crossed postal orders in favour of the Embassy of India, Belgrade will be accepted. Please note that cheques and drafts are not accepted for payment of fees.

We expect the OCI cards to be ready for collection in approximately 8 to 12 weeks and we request that no enquiry should be made for at least 12 weeks after submission of application.

For more information on OCI and to apply online and download application, please click http://www.mha.nic.in/oci/oci-main.htm

Important Notice : All applicants are informed that they can now check status/receipt of their overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards by the Embassy of India, Belgrade by visiting the website given above and clicking on "online enquiry". In case the enquiry shows the receipt of card by us, the applicant can approach us for delivery of the same. The following documents would be required for delivery of OCI card:

1. Foreign passport
2. Cancelled Indian Passport
3. P I O card, if applied on the basis of PIO card.
4. Original receipt.

The documents would be accepted in the morning on any working day between 900-1200 hours  and would be returned on the date of delivery given by the officer between 1600-1700 hours. The applicants are also advised to bring a copy of online enquiry status.

The above-mentioned documents for OCI sticker/card service can also be sent by post. If sent by post, please also send a self-addressed envelope with appropriate postage for returning the documents.

The constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously.  However, based on the recommendation of the High Level Committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India have decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India(OCI) commonly known as ‘Dual Citizenship’.  The Parliament of India approved the relevant bill in this connection in August, 2005.  Persons of Indian origin(PIOs) of certain category who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

2.      Persons registered as Overseas Citizen of India will not have the right of voting, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, constitutional posts such as President, Vice-President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCI shall be entitled to the following benefits:

1. multiple entry, multi-purpose life long visa to visit India;
2. exemption from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in India; and
3. parity with NRIs in financial, economic and educational fields except in the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties

3.      A person registered as OCI is eligible to apply for grant of Indian citizenship under Section 5(1)(g) of the Citizenship Act, 1955 if he/she has been registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year, out of the five years before making the application.

4.      For getting one registered under the OCI Scheme, one has to apply to the Indian Mission/Post in the country of citizenship of the applicant, on a form prescribed for the purpose.

5.      The registration fee is US $275 for each applicant. In case of PIO card holder, the fee is US $25.  An amount of US $250 shall be refunded if the registration is refused.

6.      For more details about the OCI Scheme, the website www.mha.nic.in may be visited.  It may be noted that the Scheme is not yet operational.  The information pasted herein, therefore, may be treated as advance information.