Q.1251 Continue to live in India

after getting OCI while visiting

India

Question: i am canadian citizen (original Indian ) (1) I decied to come india by Entry ( Visitor ) visa for 6 months. In India i want to apply for OCI . after getting OCI i can stay India for longer (3-4) Years without return back to canada ? (2) In Canada Indian passport office call center help person told me that if you go India by Visitor Visa you must come back to Canada on same Visitor Visa within 6 months visa period. your OCI card cannot help to stay india for longer time because you went India on Visitor visa . I request you to please guide me in above metter. because I need to stay in India with my 90 years old father and 87 years old mother . pl help me . which type of visa i need to longer stay in India.? after got the OCI card any other procedure stamping or permission in India for longer stay. Pl give early reply.. Answer: I am not aware of a rule that makes it compulsory for those who apply for OCI from within India to leave India even if their OCI status is approved before their entry visa expires. However, I cannot speak for the authorities and can only offer a personal opinion. The authority here is with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and you should contact them to get accurate information. It is important that those who visit India ensure that their stay in India is legal. This means that they should have a valid visa for the duration of their visit and exit India before their visa expires. My understanding is that if you apply for and get your OCI card BEFORE expiry of your entry visa, then your stay in India beyond your visa validity in my opinion should be deemed to be legal based on your OCI acquired status. Approach the FRRO in your area for clarification. The FRRO is the office to approach and find the latest rules and regulations regarding visa issues by foreigners already in India. In the event your OCI is not approved and your entry visa expiry date is near, you should contact the FRRO for an extension of your visa or leave India. If seeking visa extension, approach the FRRO before your current entry visa expires as staying beyond visa validity is illegal.