265. Spouses must qualify for OCI individually

Q: Dear Sir/Madam My partner has got her oci,on the base on her oci can apply for my OCI. Thanks’ Rashmi A. You cannot get OCI based on your partner having OCI status. You would have to meet the qualifications of Indian Origin by yourself. In case you cannot meet the qualifications to get OCI, the other alternative to you would be to get PIO for which your partners status would help [See updated info below] UPDATE Foreign spouse may now be able to apply as effective January 06, 2015 rules changed. Under new rules some foreign spouses will be eligible to apply for OCI. See below: ‘spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section: Provided that for the eligibility for registration as Overseas Citizen of India cardholder, such spouse shall be subjected to prior security clearance from a competent authority in India . . .