‘No new changes introduced’: Centre issues clarification on OCI rules

New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday clarified that no changes were made to the rules related to the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). Issuing a message on X, it said that there were reports relating to the spread of fake information regarding restrictions on OCI rules. Notably, several OCI card holders had recently complained of being reclassified as foreigners.

They had also complained about changes in rules, which required them to get permission from the authorities to visit Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh. Using a message on X on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wrote on one of its official handles, “We have come across news reports spreading false information that restrictions have been placed on OCI cardholders in the recent past.”

Provisions remain the same: Centre

“ Friends in the Indian American community are hereby informed that no new change has been introduced in the recent past for OCI card holders,” it added. The ministry added that the provisions regarding the rights of OCI cardholders continue to remain the same, which was notified in March 2021. It also asked the diaspora members to visit the official website regarding the same.

Rules amended in March 2021

In March 2021, the Centre amended the rules requiring OCI card holders to seek permission to visit some parts of India. Similar kinds of restrictions are e applied to foreign nationals visiting Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir as well.

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