Difference Between NRI and OCI

Posted on: Aug 21, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Difference Between NRI and OCI

Whether you decide to leave the country for employment or education, you will have to give up some privileges. People who move away from India for longer periods of time are categorised as either NRIs or OCIs. There are some fundamental differences between an NRI and an OCI. Take a look at this article to know more.

What does NRI status mean?

NRI stands for non-resident Indian. An NRI is a person who still holds an Indian passport and citizenship, but resides outside the country. An NRI usually lives abroad temporarily and intends to return to India eventually. This is why several NRIs, like students, also use an Indian travel insurance policy to cover themselves while they live abroad.

What does OCI status mean?

OCI stands for Overseas Citizen of India. An OCI person does not have an Indian passport and does not have voting rights in the country. They are people who were Indian citizens earlier but gave up that citizenship to take up the citizenship of another nation. Such people usually use international travel insurance policies when they travel.

What is the difference between NRI and OCI?

There are some core differences between an NRI and OCI. They are:

1. Citizenship

A non-resident Indian is a citizen of India, even though he or she resides outside the country. As an Indian citizen, an NRI holds most of the basic rights including the right to buy property and apply for an Aadhaar Card. An OCI does not have Indian citizenship, and has fewer rights, as compared to an NRI.

2. Passport

An NRI person has an Indian passport. He or she may have a permanent residency in another country, but not the passport of that country. An OCI does not have an Indian passport as he or she holds the passport of another country.

3. Voting rights

As a non-resident Indian, you still can exercise your voting rights. However, as an OCI, you cannot cast your vote in India.

FAQs

1. Can an Indian have dual citizenship?

India does not allow dual citizenship. So if you give up your Indian passport, you have to apply for an OCI status.

2. What happens when an NRI gives up Indian citizenship?

After an NRI gives up his Indian passport, he can opt for an OCI card, though this is not mandatory and is optional.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about NRI and OCI and the factors that differentiate the two, go ahead and apply for the category that suits you.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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