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The Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi has now received the authority to consider applications for Overseas Indian Citizenship. Some administrative modalities still have to be worked out, but the High Commission hopes that it will shortly be able to start accepting applications, which must then be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, for consideration. Note I The Constitution of India does not permit dual citizenship or dual nationality, unless amended. There is also no provision in the Indian Passport Act for an Indian Citizen to possess a foreign passport while retaining his Indian passport, unless amended. The Overseas Citizenship is not a full citizenship of India and therefore, does not amount to dual citizenship or dual nationality. Note II The introduction of Overseas Indian Citizenship does not entitle people who have acquired, or are planning to acquire, foreign nationality, to retain their Indian passports. The law continues to require that Indian citizens who take foreign nationality must immediately surrender their Indian passports. Those who are eligible can then apply for registration as Overseas Indian Citizens. Applicants for OIC need to visit the High Commission in person and have to sign a declaration in the presence of the Consular Officer in the Mission. Those who wish to apply would have to ask for appointments, which the High Commission will start to issue once it is in a position to accept applications. Note: : As soon as the High Commission is in a position to start receiving applications, there will be an announcement on this website, advising on how to set about getting appointments. Decisions on applications made to the High Commission would be taken only by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The High Commission would not therefore be able to advise applicants on when they might expect decisions on their cases. We however believe that it may take around four to five months for a decision to be made. Those whose applications are accepted by the Ministry of Home Affairs would be registered as Overseas Citizens of India and a Registration Certificate would be issued. Fees: Applicants will have to submit along with their applications a sum of Rs. 1000/-( this will possibly be collected in equivalent US dollar amount) and US$ 275 out of which Rs 1000/- and US $ 25 is non-refundable, as processing charge while US $ 250 will refunded in case the application is not accepted. The fees are to be paid only in US dollars and no other denomination. Period of Validity: The Registration Certificate will be valid for life unless renounced or cancelled. Facilities: An Overseas citizen of India will enjoy all rights and privileges available to NRIs including investment in agriculture and plantation properties, which is not given to PIO cardholders. There is no visa requirement for travel to India. The person has to carry his existing foreign passport along with Registration Certificate, no registration formalities are needed for staying in India, viz. no need for registering with the FRRO if the stay exceeds six months (which is a requirement for PIO card holders). All facilities as available to children of NRIs for obtaining of admission to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, institutions of Technology, institutes of Management etc. under the general category, facilities under various housing schemes etc. However, the Overseas Citizen will not enjoy the following rights: Right to vote. Right to hold offices of President, Vice-President, Judge of Supreme Court and High Court, Member of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assembly or Council. Appointment to Public Services (Government Service). Status of PIO Card: A person already holding a PIO card can also apply for a Registration Certificate. Once the Registration Certificate is obtained, the latter would confer more advantages to the person over his PIO card. The fees paid in respect of PIO card will not be refunded or adjusted against the cost for the Registration Certificate i. e. if a person has already spent US $ 300 in getting a PIO card and he wants to apply for a Registration Certificate, he has to pay a further US$ 275 (plus Rs 1000) while applying for the Registration Certificate. Persons with Dual Passports: Persons having the passport of the country concerned (one of the 16 listed countries) and that of a 3rd country can also apply for a Certificate of Registration. There will be no endorsement carried on any of the other passports. In case a person holds an Indian passport and has applied for the foreign passport of the country of his residence, he has to surrender his Indian passport on obtaining the latter. He can thereafter apply for Certificate of Registration as an overseas citizen of India if he wishes to. Overseas Indian Passport There is as yet no facility for issuing Overseas Indian Passports. For information on eligibility and application forms regarding Overseas Indian Citizenship please <http://hcilondon.net/Overseas-Indian-Citizenship/index2.html> click here. 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