India is one of the most popular destinations all around the world. Each year millions of foreign citizens enter the country for tourism and tourism and business purpose. Like all other countries, travelers are required to have a visa to visit India. So, finding a convenient way to enter the country is completely reasonable.
India has started the OCI card program. This one is a lifelong visa that you can use to enter India whenever you want. Continue reading to find out all about an OCI card and its validity period.
What is an OCI Card?
An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card is a life-long visa that can be used to live or work in the country. It is a multiple-entry, multi-purpose travel document. This means OCI card holders don’t need a tourist visa or a business visa or enter the country. They don’t even have to report to the police authorities about their period of stay.
An OCI card holder has all the rights as any other Indian citizen. They can work in the country, invest in agricultural and commercial properties, and much more. In short, an OCI cardholder is actually a citizen of India! You can find several websites online that offer OCI miscellaneous services to apply for the card.
Indian OCI Card Validity Period
As an OCI card is a lifelong visa, it technically never expires. However, you still need to renew it after some time. Foreigners of Indian origin, OCI cardholder spouse, or foreign spouse of an Indian citizen can get an OCI card.
As of today, OCI cardholders are required to get their card re-issued only once after attaining the age of 20 and the age of 50. If the card was issued to an applicant before reaching the age of 20, they need to get the card re-issued once when they get a new passport. This will provide necessary data about that certain applicant, including facial features.
Once you get a new card, your existing OCI card will automatically expire.
Eligibility Criteria for an OCI Card
Except for Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens, all valid foreign passport holders are eligible to apply for OCI cards as long as they can provide proof of their Indian origin or have valid PIO card. Here are some citizens of foreign origin eligible for an OCI card:
They have an Indian origin
They belonged to a land that became Indian territory after the independence.
They were eligible to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950
They had Indian citizenship on or after 26th January 1950
Indian e-Visa for Foreign Citizens
If, for some reason, you are not eligible for an OCI card, you can apply for an Indian visa. Indian electronic visa is the best pick for you as it is convenient, simple, and fast. You don’t need to visit the Indian embassy to get an e-visa. All you need is your laptop or smartphone and a stable internet connection. You can partner up with VisaHQ to get an e-visa from the comfort of your home.
We recommend getting an e-visa because it is a piece of cake. All you need to do is:
Fill out the visa application form
Pay the visa processing fee
Submit your application
You'll get your visa via e-mail. You don’t even have to schedule a visa interview to get an e-visa.
Required Documents
To get an Indian e-visa, foreign citizens require a handful of documents. The actual documents upon your purpose and country. Generally, the three of the most basic documents that you should have to get an e-visa are:
An original passport
An email address
A debit or credit card
To fill out the visa application form, you'll need to provide personal, contact, and passport details, including passport number and expiry date. In addition, whether you have an OCI card or an e-visa, make sure to get a health declaration form before visiting India. Otherwise, you will be denied boarding!
Processing Time
On average, the processing time for an Indian e-visa is 3-5 working days. However, due to the high demand and secondary checks, you may have to wait a little longer.
Validity Period
The actual validity period of an e-visa depends upon several factors, including your purpose of visit and the country. For different countries, India has different visa policies. For instance, US citizens can get an e-tourist visa for tourism that comes with a validity period of 1 year. Alternatively, they can also apply for an e-business visa that stays valid for up to 5 years.
So, you should check the India visa requirements for your country to find out the actual validity of a certain visa.