Confused American/Indian Help please.

R

Raju in Philly

Registered Users (C)
:confused:Hello Friends,
Just have a quick question regarding Indian Visa/PIO and OCI. Well I recently became a USC (just got my passport the other day) I am planning to go to India sometime in Nov –Dec of this year. Some of my questions are 1) what are the major differences between Indian Visa/PIO or OCI 2) I have heard that if a person has OCI then it is harder to get security clearances when working for the US government since I am planning to work for the US government is this true? Or PIO is also looked as second citizenship? 3) Is there a reason why PIO is more expensive then even a 10 year visa or even a OCI? 4) I have not cancelled my Indian passport but I will soon. Is there a deadline on passport cancellation? Don’t want to get in trouble with the Indian Embassy here in DC you know since I still need my Indian visa/PIO or OCI not yet decided what I need hoping for your guidance and help. Your suggestions and opinions are greatly appreciated friends. Thanks a lot.

Raju :confused:
 
1) what are the major differences between Indian Visa/PIO or OCI

visa is temporary, OCI is for life. OCI holders are treated on par with NRIs.

2) I have heard that if a person has OCI then it is harder to get security clearances when working for the US government since I am planning to work for the US government is this true? Or PIO is also looked as second citizenship?
Not all US government jobs need security clearance; only those where there is a need for you to access classified information. OCI is not dual citizenship and should not cause any problems security clearances.

3) Is there a reason why PIO is more expensive then even a 10 year visa or even a OCI?
There seems to be no logic to the reason for PIO card being more expensive that visa.

4) I have not cancelled my Indian passport but I will soon. Is there a deadline on passport cancellation?
No deadline; when you apply for Indian visa/PIO/OCI you can send your Indian passport and get it canceled. The canceled passport will be returned to you.
 
Thanks

Hello nkm-oct23,
Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate it. After reading more about these 3 Indian visas I think I am pretty set to apply for a PIO as it does say it is a CITIZENSHIP and also gives me more flexibility then a regular visa you know like one can buy/sell property in India and it is valid for 15 years then a regular visa which is valid for 10 years I believe. Anyway thank you so much for your help.

Raju
 
Raju in Philly said:
Hello nkm-oct23,
Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate it. After reading more about these 3 Indian visas I think I am pretty set to apply for a PIO as it does say it is a CITIZENSHIP and also gives me more flexibility then a regular visa you know like one can buy/sell property in India and it is valid for 15 years then a regular visa which is valid for 10 years I believe. Anyway thank you so much for your help.

Raju
Click to expand...

PIO is NOT citizenship. PIO means Person of India Origin.
You get Visa or PIO card or OCI you can buy residential property in India but you cant buy agricultural land or farmhouse.
 
Raju in Philly said:
Hello nkm-oct23,
Thank you so much for your response I really appreciate it. After reading more about these 3 Indian visas I think I am pretty set to apply for a PIO as it does say it is a CITIZENSHIP and also gives me more flexibility then a regular visa you know like one can buy/sell property in India and it is valid for 15 years then a regular visa which is valid for 10 years I believe. Anyway thank you so much for your help.

Raju
Click to expand...

You mean you will apply for OCI and not PIO, correct?
 
OCI is the best option as you can stay in India for as long as you want. With PIO, you have to register with the police after 180 days, and it expires every 15 years.
 
Thanks guys

Hello ginnu,nkm-oct23,cafeconeleche
In my earlier posting I missed the word “NOT” typed before the word CITIZENSHIP and so I apologize. Yes I am applying for a PIO (person of Indian origin visa) as it is NOT considered as a Indian Citizenship. It just meets my requirements. Once again I am sorry for the confusion.

Raju

Ps: By the way does anyone know is PIO a card or a sticker like OIC or a Indian visa you know which is stuck on a passport or is it like a physical card or a book? Thank you guys.

Hello :)ginnu,
Thank you for your response. I am not running for office in India nor I am concerned of buying agricultural land in India so I am totally fine with that.

Hello :)nkm-oct23
Once again thank you for your response. NO I am applying for PIO I don’t like the word CITIZENSHIP in OIC. It might complicate things for me since I plan to work for the government.

Hello :)cafeconeleche
Thank you for your response. I will be applying for PIO. It is just right for me.

Raju
 
PIO(card is a separate book not a visa stamp) costs $100 more, needs to be renewed every 15 years and OCI is not considered to be a form of dual citizenship by US government (see state department's reading on this, quoted below)
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1139.html#entry_requirements

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
Dual Nationality: In 2006, India launched the "Overseas Citizens of India" (OCI) program, which has often been mischaracterized as a dual nationality program, as it does not grant Indian citizenship. Thus, an American who obtains an OCI card is not a citizen of India and remains a citizen of the United States. An OCI card in reality is similar to a U.S. "green card" in that a holder can travel to and from India indefinitely, work in India, study in India, and own property in India (except for certain agricultural and plantation properties). An OCI holder, however, does not receive an Indian passport, cannot vote in Indian elections and is not eligible for Indian government employment. The OCI program is similar to the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card introduced by the Indian government several years ago, except that PIO holders must still register with Indian immigration authorities, and PIO cards are not issued for an indefinite period. American citizens of Indian descent can apply for PIO or OCI cards at the Indian Embassy in Washington, or at the Indian Consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Houston. Inside India, American citizens can apply at the nearest FRRO office (please see “Entry/Exit Requirements” section above for more information on the FRRO). For more information on the OCI program, please see http://mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?Id_Pk=551.
 
OCI is most definitely NOT Indian citizenship. It's just called that, but there is no such thing as overseas citizenship legally, so you won't be an Indian citizen. Really, it's your best bet. PIO is now really only for spouses of Indians.
 
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