Govt offers overseas Citizenship

Doha: The Indian Government, beginning from Tuesday, will offer Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) to foreigners married to Indian citizens and their children holding foreign passports, the Indian Embassy in Doha said. Those availing the facility, which costs QR 1,001 or $ 275, will be issued a special, multiple entry visa to India that offers all benefits enjoyed by Indian nationals, except political rights.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy here on Sunday, a foreign national eligible to become an Indian citizen on January 26, 1950, or, was an Indian citizen anytime after that date, or, belonged to a territory that became a part of the India after August 15, 1947, and their descendants, are eligible to avail of the OCI. However, in such cases, the country of their current nationality must permit its citizens to hold dual citizenship in some form or the other, under its own laws. Minor children of such persons can also apply for OCI, reports The Peninsula