[2] Despite its name, OCI is not recognised as citizenship by the Republic of India or by the vast majority of nations worldwide, and it does not grant the right to vote in Indian elections or hold public office.

The OCI card (the blue-grey booklet) in conjunction with a valid foreign passport is sufficient to travel to and from India.

In March 2020, visa-free travel granted to OCI holders was put on hold until 15 April due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Also, OCI holders living in India need to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) via email upon every change of their permanent home address or occupation.

[13][14] For this reason, Israeli citizens of Indian origin are exempt from this rule and are eligible for OCI even if they served in the Israel Defence Forces.

[15] Dutch nationals of Surinamese origin up to the sixth generation whose forefathers came from India in the 19th century will be eligible to apply for an OCI card.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 gives the government additional power to cancel the OCI status of people who violate any local law, regardless of either whether it a petty infraction or a heinous felony or whether it was committed by a juvenile or an adult.

[18] For example, in 2021, OCI cards of Canadian cardholders were revoked by the Indian Government for participating in anti-India activities which included extending support to the protests by farmers against the controversial farm laws in India.

[19] In theory, supposing a situation in which an Indian couple gives birth in the United States while on an L1/L2 visa with a five or seven year hard non-extendable limit, and once the L1/L2 visas expires ends the family moves back to India, if the child commits a criminal offense after reaching twelve years of age, their OCI could be revoked and they could be deported away from their parents as a minor.

In case the birth certificate is issued by a foreign authority, it must be apostilled or endorsed by the concerned Indian diplomatic mission abroad.

[31] Though not actual dual citizenship, the privileges afforded by acquiring an OCI card are now such that multi-national companies are finding it simpler to hire OCI holders, who enjoy a multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa to visit and reside in India, sparing them the need for permits.

[32] Since they are exempted from registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) on their arrival in the country and can stay or live in India for as long as they wish, OCI holders can travel at very short notice and take up assignments in India, while others could get caught up in bureaucratic delays over their employment visa.

[23] However, starting from 4 March 2021, OCI holders living in India need to register with the FRRO upon every change of their permanent home address or occupation.

(c) It eases the transaction process and reduces actual and expected costs and risks through exemptions from formal requirements and by serving as official proof of entitlement.

[24] Privileges of OCI holders depend on the government policy of the day, and there are instances where they are denied additional rights and conveniences afforded to full Indian citizens including citizen NRIs: Most overseas countries such as the United States do not recognize the OCI as citizenship of another country.

The PIO card was less effective than the OCI, and there was some criticism that holders of the more expensive PIO card were disadvantaged when the OCI scheme was launched barely four years later, that there was confusion about the differences between the two, and administration of the two independent schemes caused complexity and confusion.

The Bureau of Immigration stated that it would continue to accept the old PIO cards as valid travel documents until 31 December 2025.

OCI cards issued between 9 January 2015 and 14 April 2021 are identical to the 15 April 2021 ones, except that the words 'प्रवासी भारतीय नागरिक कार्ड' (Hindi) and 'Overseas Citizen of India Card' (English) are inscribed above the emblem, and the words 'भारत गणराज्य' (Hindi) and 'Republic of India' (English) are inscribed below the emblem.

Persons of Indian Origin Card (PIO Card) was a form of identification issued to a Person of Indian Origin who held a passport in a country other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

On 28 September 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at Madison Square Garden (New York) that PIO holders would be granted lifelong visas.

[47] It is important to note that while an Indian citizen can enjoy unlimited visa-free visits to Bhutan and Nepal, this is not possible for a PIO or OCI holder.