1.

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) commonly known as ‘dual citizenship’. Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category as has been specified in the Link 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.

Application for registration as OCI can be made Online only. Before filling the application, Link may be perused so that there is no mistake in submission of application. Further, the details regarding Fee and eligibility to apply with the High Commission of India, Dar-Es-Salaam may also be confirmed.  To be eligible to apply to High Commission of India, Dar-Es-Salaam, you need to be a resident of the Tanzania.

3.

Persons registered as OCI have not been given any voting rights, election to Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative Assembly/Council, holding Constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court/High Court etc. Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:

4.

Any further benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

5.

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 is registered as OCI for five years and has been residing in India for one year out of the five years before making the application.

1.

Eligibility criteria:

A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such persons are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

Application Form and Procedure:

A family consisting of spouses and upto two minor children can apply in the same Form. This form can be filed online only and then printed the filled form from Ministry website.  Click below to register online at http://www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?Id_Pk=553 or www.mha.gov.in

Please note that the application has two parts.  Part A can be filled only through internet and online. Part B can be filled by hand in block letters or neatly typed out.

The following documents must be enclosed with each application:

Originals would be required to check the authenticity of the attached photocopies of documents indicating the Indian origin of the applicant. There is no need to send the original passport (pertaining to current nationality). When presented across the counter in person, the originals would be returned on the spot after inspection. When presented through post, these would be returned by post if special delivery self addressed postage is provided by the applicant.

1. Proof of present citizenship.

2.Evidence of self or parents or grandparents,

1. Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution; or

2. Belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August, 1947; or

3. Being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950

These could be:

1. Copy of the Indian passport (presentation of this document would be sufficient to prove `Indian origin’ of the applicant and no other document would be required; or

2. Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent authority ;or

3. Copy of the Nativity Certificate issued by competent authority (Click here to download application form)

4. When the applicant is not in possession of an Indian Passport or domicile certificate or nativity certificate, he/she may be required to produce documents such as Birth certificate, educational certificates, property documents, bank account documents etc. It may be noted that the applicant should adduce as much documentary evidence as possible to strengthen his/her claim of Indian origin.  The examples mentioned above are only illustrative and not exhaustive. The crux of the matter is that the documents should cumulatively prove that the applicant or his/her parents or his/her grandparents was/were born in India and lived in India for sufficient time to be treated as persons of Indian origin. (Click here to download Certificate regarding nativity form)

3. Evidence of relationship as parent/grand parent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of OCI.

4. In case of applications filed in person across the counter, fee would also be acceptable in cash but not in cheque. Payment of fee by cash is completely prohibited in cases of applications sent by post. Debit/credit cards are not accepted. Postal orders/Demand Drafts are payable in favour of High Commission of India, Dar-Es-Salaam.

5. PIO card holder should submit a copy of his/her PIO card. The application form, completed in all respects, along with enclosures should be submitted in duplicate(application as well as supporting documents) ) to the High Commission of India, Dar-Es-Salaam.

(1)

Please write/print fields in BLOCK LETTERS.

(2)

A maximum four (4) applicants consisting of spouses and at most two minor children may apply in one application form.

(3)

A person who has not attained the age of 18 years is considered as minor. In case of minor who can not sign, his/her left thumb impression may be placed in the Signature Box. Parents should not sign on behalf of minors.

(4)

Signature/Thumb impression should be confined in the prescribed box. In case of minor applicants, parent should NOT sign in the box.

(5)

Photograph to be affixed on the application should be of square shape of size not less than 51 x 51mm (with 80% coverage by face). It should have light color background (not white) without border with front view of person’s head and shoulders showing the full face in the middle of the photograph. It should not be stapled and should not have any signature. Photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause a delay in processing the applications. Please see standards of acceptable photographs as Photo Link.

(6)

If there are any objections while processing the applications, the same will be conveyed to the applicant either through email or telephone or by post.   In certain occasions, an interview may become necessary.  This would be conveyed to the applicant by any of the methods mentioned above.

(7)

Part A has to be filled for each applicant of the family and Part B is common for all applicants of the family.

(8)

After submission of Part A online, a copy of Part A with an online Registration Number will be printed along with Part B of application form. Details in Part B can be typed or hand written in BLOCK LETTERS. In case the space provided is not sufficient, additional sheets may be used for providing requisite details. Application form on Parts A and B, complete in all respects, along with all relevant enclosures may be submitted to the appropriate office.

(9)

Enclosures for each applicant:

1. Proof of present citizenship of applicant e.g. copy of Passport/citizenship certificate.

2. Evidence of self or parents or grand parents,

(a) being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of the Constitution i.e. on 26 th January, 1950; or

(b) belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15 th August, 1947; or

(c) being citizen of India on or after 26th January, 1950.

These could be:

(i) Copy of the passport; or

(ii) Copy of the domicile certificate issued by the Competent Authority; or Nativity Certificate issued by the concerned District Magistrate.

(iii) Any other proof.  For details please refer to Item No.  8  of FAQ of OCI services -first time applicants.

3.Evidence of relationship as parent/grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as basis for grant of Overseas Citizenship of India.

(10)

PIO Card holder should submit a copy of his/her PIO card.

(11)

The documents enclosed with the application should be self attested.

(12)

This form when completed should be submitted in duplicate (both sets must have original photograph and signature along with enclosures) to the High Commission of India, Dar Es Salaam either in person or by post.

S.No

OCI Services

Fee (Tshs)

OCI Card

440000

Conversion of PIO to OCI

45000

Conversion of minor’s PIO to OCI card

235000

Re-issuance of OCI registration Certificate/Visa in case of acquisition of new passport, etc

45000

Issue of duplicate OCI in case of lose/damage

165000