Maple News reports that for many Indian-origin Canadians, acquiring Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status offers a practical solution for sustaining strong ties with India. As India does not permit dual citizenship, those who become citizens of another country, such as Canada, must renounce their Indian citizenship. However, OCI status offers a legal and flexible bridge for reengaging with India — without full citizenship.
Canada remains a top destination for Indian immigrants. In 2022 alone, India was the leading source country for new permanent residents in Canada, with over 118,000 new arrivals. Many of these individuals eventually opt to become Canadian citizens due to the rights and privileges it confers — including voting, consular protection, and access to a Canadian passport. But in doing so, they forfeit their Indian citizenship, due to India’s single-citizenship policy.
The OCI program addresses this challenge by allowing former Indian citizens — and their descendants up to four generations (under specific conditions) — to formally reconnect with India. An OCI card grants its holders a lifelong, multiple-entry visa to India, without the need to register with immigration authorities for long-term stays. In many areas of daily life, they are treated similarly to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
According to Maple News, OCI status offers several advantages: the ability to reside in India indefinitely, own property (excluding agricultural land), and practice professions in domains like medicine, law, and engineering under the same terms as NRIs. However, there are clear limitations. OCI holders are not considered Indian citizens and cannot vote, hold public office, or be issued Indian passports.
It’s also important to highlight that OCI cardholders face restrictions in acquiring agricultural, plantation, or farmland. Parity with NRIs is not unconditional and varies depending on the area of policy. In legal terms, OCI is a long-term visa scheme — not dual citizenship.
To qualify for OCI status, applicants must meet specific criteria. Generally, they should have been Indian citizens themselves or be descendants of individuals who held Indian citizenship after January 26, 1950. Ineligible applicants typically include those who ever held Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizenship.
With tens of thousands of Indian-born individuals settling permanently in Canada each year, the OCI card serves as a bridge—maintaining deep connections to their heritage while fully embracing their lives abroad. As interest in global mobility and hybrid identity grows, OCI continues to play a vital role for India’s diaspora worldwide.