Q318. OCI holder - Permission to start retail shop in India

Question: Dear Sir,

I am Indian businessman with OCI status living in Hamburg. I am very much interested to open a business , for example a

retail shop in my village and want to be propreitor myself with my oci status.

Please advice me where I have to write , to apply or to go for the permission.

It will be very kind of you if I get a reply from you, as I want to start my

business obrt there very soon.

Thanking you in Advance

Your´s truely

Amal Chatterjee

Answer: As a OCI holder, you don’t need any special permission from the government authorities to start your retail shop business in your village in India. OCI being a lifetime visa, allows you to work or carry on a business in India. The only permission you would need is to ensure that you meet the local licensing laws for starting a shop etc. The rules that would apply to you would be the same that would apply if a Indian citizen wanted to set up a shop. Good luck with your venture.