An Overview

NRI is a person who is a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin or a foreign national of Indian origin residing outside India for employment, business, or an indefinite stay. An individual is considered NRI if their stay in India is less than 182 days during the preceding financial year.

PIO is defined as a foreigner (not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal & Bhutan)

  • Whose parents or grandparents were citizens of India
  • Who is a spouse of an Indian citizen
  • Who held an Indian passport at any time in the past

A foreign national eligible to become a citizen of India on or after 26.01.1950, or who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947, including their children and grandchildren, is eligible for OCI, provided the current country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form.