Scope Of Overseas Citizenship Of India Scheme Extended

Bandar Seri Begawan - In Pravasi Bhartiya' Diwas, 2005, the Prime Minister made a statement on the Overseas Citizenship of, India (OCI) Scheme to the effect that it has been decided to extend this facility to all overseas Indians who migrated from India after January 26, 1950, as long as their home country -allows dual citizenship under the local laws.

He also added that the government would simplify the application form and format of certificate of registration of OCI and spell out the benefits being given to them, according to a press release from the High Commission of India in Brunei Darussalam.

In pursuance of the Prime Minister's statement, Citizenship Act, 1955 has been amended to extend the-scope of OCI to Persons of Indian Origin ('PIOs) of all nationalities other than Pakistan and Bangladesh that allow dual citizenship under their local laws in some form or the other.

Citizenship Rules, 1956 has been amended to simplify the procedure and application form for grant of OCI registration. Necessary amendments have also been carried out in the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 to spell out the following benefits to registered OC1s, including multipurpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa for visiting India; exemption from registration with Forettgners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India; parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties; and others.

Application form, procedure, brochure and FAQs for acquiring OCI have been hosted on MHA's website: www.mha.nic.in.

This Scheme is being operationalised from December 2, when the facility for online application -or downloading the application form will be made available from MHA's website.

Entitled persons, resident in Brunei Darussalam may apply for OCI registration to the High Commission of India at Baitussyifaa, Simpang 40-22, Jalan Sungai Akar, Bandar Seri Begawan BC 3915, in the prescribed form, along with all relevant documents, and the prescribed fee of B$485 for general category and B$45 in respect of existing PIO Card Holder,

For further details contact the Attache (Consular) in the High Commission of India, Brunei Darussalam at 2339947 and 2339685.  -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News

Brunei's Fastest Growing Website with