An NRI (Non-Resident Indian) is an Indian citizen who resides outside India for employment, business, or other purposes that require staying abroad for an indefinite period. NRIs retain their Indian citizenship but live abroad.

A person can be called an NRI if they are an Indian citizen who has stayed abroad for more than 182 days in a financial year for employment, business, or any other purpose.

No, India does not support dual citizenship. However, India offers the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme, which grants certain rights and privileges to people of Indian origin residing abroad.

An OCI card is issued to foreign nationals of Indian origin, allowing them multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visas to visit India. It provides benefits similar to that of an Indian citizen, except for certain rights and privileges.

A PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card was issued to individuals of Indian origin living abroad, offering visa-free travel to India. The PIO card scheme has been merged with the OCI card scheme since 2015.

The PIO card allowed visa-free travel to India for 15 years, while the OCI card offers lifelong visa-free travel. Since 2015, PIO cardholders are required to convert their PIO cards to OCI cards.

OCI cardholders cannot vote, hold public office, or buy agricultural land in India. They are also not eligible for government jobs and cannot travel to certain protected areas without permission.

OCIs need special permission to visit certain protected and restricted areas, such as parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.

OCI cardholders must obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit these restricted or protected areas in India.

OCI cardholders should apply for PAP or RAP through the Ministry of Home Affairs or the respective state government authorities. Applications can typically be submitted online or at designated offices.

FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) is responsible for the registration, movement, stay, and departure of foreigners in India. OCI cardholders must register with the FRRO if their stay exceeds 180 days.

An OCI card can be canceled if the cardholder is found to have obtained it fraudulently, engages in terrorism or other criminal activities, renounces their foreign citizenship, or poses a threat to India’s sovereignty and security.

An H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.

A Green Card, or Permanent Resident Card, allows a foreign national to live and work permanently in the United States. Green Card holders can eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.