In News:

During his official visit to Trinidad and Tobago, the Prime Minister of India announced a significant policy update: Indian-origin persons up to the sixth generation residing in Trinidad and Tobago will now be eligible for the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

This move strengthens India's outreach to its diaspora, especially in regions with deep-rooted historical ties dating back to indentured migration.

About Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

What is OCI?

The OCI card is a form of permanent residency granted to foreign nationals of Indian origin, enabling them to live, work, and travel in India without requiring a visa.

• Introduced: August 2005
• Legal Basis: Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2005
• Administered by: Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India
• Objective: To foster long-term engagement between India and its diaspora communities by offering them residency and economic/cultural participation rights—without conferring dual citizenship.

Eligibility Criteria (Section 7A of Citizenship Act, 1955)

An individual is eligible if they are a foreign national who:

• Was a citizen of India on or after 26 January 1950,
• Was eligible for Indian citizenship on that date, or
• Belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15 August 1947

Also eligible:

• Children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of eligible persons
• Minor children with one or both parents as Indian citizens
• Spouses of Indian citizens or OCI holders, if marriage has lasted 2+ years

Not eligible if: The individual or their ancestors were ever citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or other countries notified by the Indian government

Key Features of the OCI Card

• Lifelong, multiple-entry visa to India
• No police reporting required, regardless of duration of stay
• Work and study rights similar to Indian citizens (no separate visa needed)
• Economic parity with NRIs in areas such as:
  • Education (e.g., admissions, fee structure)
  • Financial services and bank accounts
  • Real estate (excluding agricultural land)
• Can buy residential and commercial property in India
• Not eligible for:
  • Voting rights
  • Holding constitutional posts (e.g., President, MP, Judge)
  • Government employment
• Digital-friendly: Application, renewal, and status tracking available via the official OCI Portal

Significance of the Latest Announcement

• Extending OCI eligibility to the sixth generation acknowledges the deep historical diaspora links between India and the Caribbean, particularly descendants of indentured laborers.
• This strengthens India's soft power, promotes people-to-people diplomacy, and enhances economic and cultural ties with Indian-origin communities abroad.