Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder

What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm the status that accumulated residence leads to.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Searched the MHA OCI cardholder page capture (only document titles/links) and Annex III references to OCI: no statement that residence leads to OCI or another status.

What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm a qualifying residence period or when it begins for OCI Cardholder status.

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm which residence types count toward OCI Cardholder status.

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm absence or continuity rules for OCI Cardholder status.

What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

Apply online (ociservices.gov.in) and submit original documents for verification to the Indian Mission/Post or FRRO. Persons whose parents, grandparents or great-grandparents were citizens of Pakistan or Bangladesh are ineligible. Holders get a multiple-entry lifelong visa and are exempt from FRRO registration, but must email the FRRO about changes of address/occupation if normally resident in India. Card renewal and loss/cancellation rules are not in the official text.

See recorded sources

Limits of the record

Renewal/re-issue and cancellation rules not captured
Status is registration based on origin, not residence

https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-08/OCIIntroduction_23072021%5B1%5D.pdf
Application for registration as OCI Cardholder can be made Online. For this purpose, please visit https: //ociservices.gov.in.
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/OCIComparativeChart_23072021%5B1%5D.pdf
the original of the supporting documents have to be submitted to the Indian Mission/ Post/ FRRO concerned for prior verification.
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/OCIComparativeChart_23072021%5B1%5D.pdf
No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-08/OCIIntroduction_23072021%5B1%5D.pdf
multiple entry lifelong visa for visiting India for any purpose
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-08/OCIIntroduction_23072021%5B1%5D.pdf
(2) exemption from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India: Provided that the OCI Cardholders who are normally resident in India shall intimate the jurisdictional Foreigners Regional Registration Officer or the Foreigners Registration Officer by email whenever there is a change in permanent residential address and in their occupation;

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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What exact status does accumulated residence lead to?

What qualifying residence period is required and when does the period begin?

Which types of residence count fully, partially or not at all where the official rules specify this?

What absence/continuity rules affect accumulation of the qualifying residence period?

What other major conditions apply, how is the status obtained, and what renewal, document-validity, retention or loss rules matter?

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