Q.1289 Will I lose my OCI status

if I join US Military for 3 years?

Question: Hello NRIInfo , I'm a physician in USA that holds USA citizenship as well as OCI status as of 2015. I have an offer to serve for the US military as physician for 3 years, however if I do so will I lose my OCI status? I have read that OCI will not be granted to persons who have interest in foreign military, however since I already have OCI status, can I do so? Thanks, Answer: Even though you have OCI status, if the authorities become aware of the change in your occupation to a category that is prohibited from registering as an Overseas Citizen of India, they would cancel your OCI registration. As per rules of OCI, foreign military personnel whether active or retired are not eligible for OCI. This restriction also applies to active or retired military person’s spouses and children. Professions such as foreign military, police etc. are not eligible for OCI and this as per current rules is a lifetime ban because retirees are also not eligible. Which means that even after three years when you leave the military service you will continue to be ineligible for OCI.