How can stay in India permanently
What is the process to establish permanent residency in India?
There are two main ways to stay in India permanently:
- Obtain Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card: The OCI card is a lifelong visa that allows holders to enter India multiple times and stay indefinitely. It is available to people who have Indian ancestry, as well as those who have married Indian citizens or have lived in India for a certain number of years.
To obtain an OCI card, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and apply to the Indian government. The application process can be complex and time-consuming, but it is the most common way for foreigners to obtain permanent residency in India.
- Obtain permanent residency status (PRS): PRS is a scheme that allows foreigners to live and work in India indefinitely. It is available to people who have invested a significant amount of money in India or who have made significant contributions to the country.
To obtain PRS, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and apply to the Indian government. The application process can be complex and time-consuming, but it is another way for foreigners to obtain permanent residency in India.
Here are some additional details about each option:
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card:
- Eligibility: To be eligible for an OCI card, you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You must be a citizen of a country that has a reciprocity agreement with India.
- You must have been a citizen of India at some point in your life.
- You must be the spouse or child of an Indian citizen.
- You must have lived in India for at least 10 years.
- Application process: To apply for an OCI card, you must submit a completed application form, a passport photo, and copies of your passport and other relevant documents to the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country. The processing time for an OCI card application can vary, but it is typically several weeks.
Permanent residency status (PRS):
- Eligibility: To be eligible for PRS , you must meet one of the following criteria:
- You must have invested at least ₹10 crore in India.
- You must have made significant contributions to India in the fields of science, technology, business, culture, or the arts.
- Application process: To apply for PRS, you must submit a completed application form, a passport photo, and copies of your passport, investment documents, and other relevant documents to the Indian embassy or consulate in your home country. The processing time for a PRS application can vary, but it is typically several weeks.
