464. How can OCI get proof of

address in India . . .

Questions: Dear Sir OCI is considered at par with NRI in most of the areas What I notice is that a NRI can have an Indian address, even if they have been living in a foreign country for several years and visiting India once in a while Similarly NRI’s can have Foreign and Indian address on their NRI bank account, but OCI holders can have only the foreign address How is it possible to have an Indian address for a OCI holder who travel to India once in a while, similar to the NRI’s Why I am raising this issue is that, proof of Indian address is necessary for whatever utility we apply for such as mobile phone, driving Licence etc It is not a major issue for those who has Indian property or Indian driving Licence before they became OCI It is mainly for their children who are growing up and need driving licence or mobile phone when they go and stay in India for varying period Should we request the Indian Government to have an option to keep Indian Address in the OCI if anybody wish to or have one My situation is that Me and my wife has Indian Driving Licence with Indian address as we obtained it before we became OCI holders We have our family home in India with my parents still alive I am looking forward for my children (18 years and 20 years) who are also OCI holders but no proof of Indian Address Please advise how to obtain Indian address for them Thanks Paulson Answer: Suppose a former Indian national residing in the United States of America applies for a driving license in USA, would he get a USA drivers license issued to him if he cannot provide proof of a local residential address? If such a person simply provides an address in India he won’t get a US driving license. Similarly, in India a person applying for an Indian driving license, must have a local address. Services such as issue of driving licenses and telephone connections etc. are specifically setup to provide services for their full time residents and not simply targeted to foreign visitors. Anyone who is permanently living in India, would normally have a residential address, if the person does not own property they may be living with relatives or perhaps be renting property. The place they stay at is their address. A letter from a landlord to a tenant verifying tenancy is normally acceptable proof of residence in India. If your children visit India and need to drive, they can use an International driving license. On the other hand if they are living in India permanently at your parents house, then that is their address. If your children who are 18, 20 years old are living in India, I strongly suggest that first they apply for a PAN card. Use your parents residential address where they are staying. PAN card will be alloted within a matter of weeks and is an excellent photo ID in India. The Post Office in your area can also issue a ID card. Such ID’s can be used to avail services such as getting a Sim Card. I have an article on this website called ‘Proof of Address Card in India’ I suggest you read it. Check the home page of this site for the link to the article.