India Dual Citizenship Mega Thread (Merged)
- Thread starter columbiaman
- Start date
I read on US site there might be some issue for my son in future. He won't be able to apply for some gov or research job etc...
USA government view of the Dual Citizenship:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html
"The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance. "
USA government view of the Dual Citizenship:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1753.html
"The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance. "
mangal969 said:
Why do you worry about it? OCI is not, repeat not a dual citizenship. It is just a glorified form of lifetime visa with lots of privileges that a normal visa would not provide. Your son is a citizen of USA and automatically lost indian citizenship. Therefore he is not a dual citizen. The cancelled indian passport is a testament to this fact. If OCI is truly a dual citizenship status then why would Indian consulate cancel his Indian passport? Just think.n400_j said:
Take a close look at point 4 in this link. In the absence of details in your post and the very fact you used this forum (OCI forum), I just asssumed that he got his OCI. Since he is born in the US, he is automatically a born citizen of this country. Does he have any other citizenship that would make him dual citizen?n400_j said:
http://indiacgny.org/php/showContent.php?linkid=384
n400_j said:
You would not have had this confusion had you read the sticky thread first.
This is the US Department of State's interpretation of OCI available on their website:
In 2006, India launched the “Overseas Citizens of India” (OCI) program, which has often been mischaracterized as a dual nationality program. However, the OCI program does not grant Indian citizenship. Thus, an American who obtains an OCI card is not a citizen of India. That person 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 government employment in India. 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, D.C. or at the Indian Consulates in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Houston. Within India, American citizens can apply at the nearest FRRO office.
http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsdualnation.html
Right now your son is only and only a US citizen.If you get him an OCI he will still be only and only a US citizen (unless he has the right to some other citizenship by virtue of your citizenships).
Mangal, Unfortunately there exist a vast majority of folks that think OCI is dual citizenship. May be this guy is one of them. I do not blame him though. The MHA website uses the term Dual Citizenship very liberally when referring to OCI. That probably is the main reason for this perception. Even the media in India seem to subscribe to this thought. I am sure your sticky thread would dispell some of the confusion at least among curious and serious readres.
My Dilemma......
I think Mangal has already given me answer to this, but I'd like to ask again with more clarification to my question about my Dilemma?--
My OCI was granted May 24th- and they e-mailed me that it will be dispatched within the next few days to CGINY and next week, I can go collect it.- But, here's the thing- Next week- When?????- That is the question-- My Flight to India is on Monday- Monday is a long weekend!
If I take the Visa tomorrow and go to India, and I have to stay back more than 6 months, can I do that with just a paper showing that OCI is granted, or better yet, my Spouse can collect the Booklet (if I don't have to sign it) from CGINY and send it to me through a relative next month??????-- Could I stay back more than 6 months then, if I have to????
OR- Do I pay extra money, change my ticket, but take chance with availability of seat, get my OCI (if I get it), and go next WEd, or Thurs???????
Thanks for replying,
I think Mangal has already given me answer to this, but I'd like to ask again with more clarification to my question about my Dilemma?--
My OCI was granted May 24th- and they e-mailed me that it will be dispatched within the next few days to CGINY and next week, I can go collect it.- But, here's the thing- Next week- When?????- That is the question-- My Flight to India is on Monday- Monday is a long weekend!
If I take the Visa tomorrow and go to India, and I have to stay back more than 6 months, can I do that with just a paper showing that OCI is granted, or better yet, my Spouse can collect the Booklet (if I don't have to sign it) from CGINY and send it to me through a relative next month??????-- Could I stay back more than 6 months then, if I have to????
OR- Do I pay extra money, change my ticket, but take chance with availability of seat, get my OCI (if I get it), and go next WEd, or Thurs???????
Thanks for replying,
Back from India - fantastic trip ...gotia said:
Anyway while entering India I went in the "Diplomatic/PIO/Aircrew" Queue.
While coming back I went in the same queue. There is no "OCI" label as yet. They had no problem with me being in that queue. The queue is empty.
Immigration is no longer done by the local police, but a separate civil unit, they have a blue uniform.
While coming back, the lady saw the visa, and could not believe it had no expiry date! she called the superviser on the floor, and he called some head guy. They were all quite amused. Anyway, of the 20 people on duty at Mumbai, no one had noticed an OCI visa before!!! I assured them that it is a new type of visa, and they took my word for it. I was going to show them the OCI card, but wanted to see if I could get through without it for the benefit of this forum. I explained "OCI" and they did not understand. Then I said it was a new type of visa, and they thought I was a VIP or something.
While going back they did not ask for the OCI card. While coming, my wife took a separate flight and was not asked. While coming I was asked, but I now think it was because the officer had no clue - probably thought it was PIO.
So you should carry your OCI card, at least in the beginning I think, until they figure out how the procedure works. Avoid taking out the OCI card unless asked.
Last edited by a moderator:
Photocopy of passport/OCI
When you pay by credit for large amounts, several shops asked to get a xerox of my passport - bank regulations they said for foreign credit cards. Worth keeping a photo copy of your passport/OCI/visa with you in your wallet/purse. Also required sometimes for domestic flights, and opening bank accounts. You can leave your passport safely locked away.
When you pay by credit for large amounts, several shops asked to get a xerox of my passport - bank regulations they said for foreign credit cards. Worth keeping a photo copy of your passport/OCI/visa with you in your wallet/purse. Also required sometimes for domestic flights, and opening bank accounts. You can leave your passport safely locked away.
Immigration forms
While coming there are two Immigration forms, one for citizens and one for non-citizens. As an OCI you should fill in the "non-citizen" form.
The main reason is that you also get a return form that you can use when you are returning home.
It had some useful information, unforunately I did not save a copy.
While coming there are two Immigration forms, one for citizens and one for non-citizens. As an OCI you should fill in the "non-citizen" form.
The main reason is that you also get a return form that you can use when you are returning home.
It had some useful information, unforunately I did not save a copy.
fitness99 said:It looks like the immigration folks in Mumabi need to take some updated training on the visa(s) offered by India
I have got away without registration and tax clearance certificates from immigration because they don't have training - at the time I did not think it was an issue to complain about
. Back then they were local police, and more interested in criminal matters and checks.Now they are specialised clerks so hopefully it will improve.
interestingPIO1 said:
i am of openion that they know this new visa but want to looking for problem.
initially we must carry both document till thing are normalise.
they are still not realising that things like OCI are Reality now
as people start living on OCI in india more thing will start originating
The final step in OCI process involves U visa sticket and OCI booklet. I think you need to turn in your passport to the consulate for them to affix the visa sticker and they will return it along with the booklet. So if you are out of country, how can your spouse turn in your passport?ASGK said:
I don't know what to tell you here but would certainly not bet money on some email received from MHA to postpone the trip.ASGK said: