Residency
India — Residency: Permanent Residency
India does not operate a broad permanent residency programme comparable to many other countries. Long-term residence is generally based on the visa category granted, while certain specialised schemes and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status provide additional long-term rights for eligible individuals. OCI status is not equivalent to Indian citizenship but provides a range of long-term travel and residency benefits for qualifying applicants.
Key facts
- India does not generally offer traditional permanent residency.
- Long-term residence depends on the approved visa category.
- OCI provides long-term residency-related benefits for eligible applicants.
- OCI is not the same as Indian citizenship.
- Government approval is required.
- Eligibility depends on applicable legislation.
- Residence rights remain subject to Indian law.
- Applicants should review the appropriate immigration pathway.