The Government of India has issued a significant update regarding the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, a long-standing facility that grants Indian-origin foreign nationals visa-free entry and several privileges in the country. As per the new directive, OCI cardholders will now face the possibility of having their registration cancelled if they are found involved in serious criminal activities. Specifically, the rule applies to individuals who are either convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years or who have been named in a charge sheet for an offence that carries a potential punishment of seven years or more in prison.
The Ministry of Home Affairs formalised this change through an official gazette notification. The order cites the powers vested in the central government under clause (da) of Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, clearly outlining the conditions under which an OCI registration can be revoked. According to the notification, the government reserves the authority to cancel the card if such legal thresholds are met, underscoring its intent to prevent individuals with serious criminal records from continuing to enjoy OCI benefits.
The Overseas Citizen of India scheme, first introduced in August 2005, was designed to strengthen India’s connection with its global diaspora. It enables eligible persons of Indian origin to travel, reside, and work in India without the need for a visa, while also offering certain other privileges short of full citizenship. Eligibility for the OCI card is extended to those who were citizens of India on or after January 26, 1950, or who were entitled to become citizens at that time. However, the scheme explicitly excludes individuals who are or have been citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, or any other country that the central government may designate through a gazette notification.
By adding these new provisions for cancellation, the government appears to be reinforcing its stance that the privileges granted under the OCI framework come with responsibilities, and that serious breaches of law will have direct consequences. This step marks a tightening of oversight over the OCI community, intending to safeguard India’s legal and security interests while maintaining the integrity of the programme.
