Residence in India: permits and requirements
Living legally in India is possible through 6 permit types: other, work, study, investment, family, permanent. Each program has its own requirements; below are the duration, renewal, costs and documentation according to the country's official sources.
OCI Card (Overseas Citizenship of India)
Residence type #1 of 6
Multi-entry and lifelong residence permit for persons of Indian origin (PIO) and their foreign spouses
Requirements
- Be of Indian origin up to the fourth generation
- Be the foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or OCI holder
- Never have been a Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizen
- No serious criminal record
Documentation
- Valid passport
- Proof of Indian origin (birth certificates of parents/grandparents)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size photos
- Proof of domicile
- Form requesting OCI registration
Frequently asked questions about residence in India
How many types of residence permits are there in India?
India offers 6 residence permit types, grouped into the categories other, work, study, investment, family, permanent. Each permit has its own requirements, duration and documentation, detailed in this fact sheet according to the country's official sources.
How long do residence permits in India last?
Durations vary by permit type: Lifetime (OCI passport renewed every 10 years for those under 20 and over 50); 1 year initially, renewable up to 5 years (per the contract's duration); Course duration (up to 5 years), renewable annually; 1 year initially, renewable up to 5 years. The exact details of each type appear in the corresponding fact sheet.
Can residence permits in India be renewed?
Yes. All residence permit types of India (6 in total) are renewable before their expiration, according to the rules of each program.
What documentation is usually required to reside in India?
Although each permit requires its own file, the most recurrent documents are: Valid passport; Acta de matrimonio; Mandatory FRRO/FRO registration within 14 days. The complete list by residence type appears in each fact sheet, together with the corresponding official link.
Does residence in India lead to nationality?
Yes, through the Naturalization by residence pathway, which requires 12 months immediately preceding + 11 years aggregate in the previous 14 of legal residence. The complete requirements are in the nationality fact sheet of India.
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Anything to correct or add about India?
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