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Many Indians and people with Indian roots live worldwide. But not everyone has the same status. Your status depends on where you live and your citizenship.
This guide explains the difference between NRI and OCI, the main benefits of each, and how your status affects your money and taxes in India.
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An NRI is an Indian citizen who lives in another country. You might live abroad because of work, study, or business.
Under the Indian Income Tax Act, if you spend less than 182 days in India during a financial year, you're an NRI. The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) also says you're an NRI if you move out of India for a job or business for an unknown time.
If you become an NRI, tell your bank as soon as possible. NRIs cannot keep regular Indian savings accounts, but you can open an NRI account online. The process is usually easy.
Many Indians who moved abroad wanted to keep a connection with India. In 2006, the government created the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. India does not allow dual citizenship, but the OCI card gives you some similar rights. With this card, for example, you can visit and stay in India as long as you want.
| Feature | Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Indian citizen living outside India | Foreign citizen with Indian roots, given certain rights, but not citizenship | No longer used – this scheme was discontinued in 2015 and merged with the OCI program |
| Eligibility | Indian citizen with passport, abroad for over 182 days in a year | Foreign citizen eligible for Indian citizenship from 26 January 1950, their spouse or child | All PIO cardholders now considered OCI |
| Visa requirements | No visa needed for India | No visa required – OCI card is a lifelong, multi-use visa | Same as OCI |
| Bank accounts | Can open an NRE (non-resident external), NRO (non-resident ordinary), and FCNR (foreign currency non-resident) account | Same as NRI | Same as OCI |
| Stay in India | No time limit on stay | No time limit and no registration needed | Same as OCI |
| Employment | Can work in India including some government jobs | Can work in the private sector but not for the government | Same as OCI |
| Ownership of property | Can buy homes and commercial property, but not farms or farmland | Same as NRI | Same as OCI |
| Taxes | Pay tax on money earned in India; overseas income usually not taxed here | Tax status depends on if you are a resident or not that year | Same as OCI |
| Healthcare | Access to public hospitals; can buy private insurance | Can use healthcare but not government support schemes; can buy insurance | Same as OCI |
| Voting rights | Yes, if your name is on the voting list | No, cannot vote | Same as OCI |
| Dual citizenship | Not allowed | Not allowed, but the OCI card comes with long-term residency rights | Not allowed |
| Special permissions | Usually no special permissions needed | Needed for things like research in restricted areas | Same as OCI |
| Restrictions | Cannot buy farms or agricultural land unless inherited or gifted | Same as NRI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Definition | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Indian citizen living outside India | Indian citizen living outside India |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Foreign citizen with Indian roots, given certain rights, but not citizenship | Foreign citizen with Indian roots, given certain rights, but not citizenship |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | No longer used – this scheme was discontinued in 2015 and merged with the OCI program | No longer used – this scheme was discontinued in 2015 and merged with the OCI program |
| Feature | Eligibility | Eligibility |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Indian citizen with passport, abroad for over 182 days in a year | Indian citizen with passport, abroad for over 182 days in a year |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Foreign citizen eligible for Indian citizenship from 26 January 1950, their spouse or child | Foreign citizen eligible for Indian citizenship from 26 January 1950, their spouse or child |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | All PIO cardholders now considered OCI | All PIO cardholders now considered OCI |
| Feature | Visa requirements | Visa requirements |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | No visa needed for India | No visa needed for India |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | No visa required – OCI card is a lifelong, multi-use visa | No visa required – OCI card is a lifelong, multi-use visa |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Bank accounts | Bank accounts |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Can open an NRE (non-resident external), NRO (non-resident ordinary), and FCNR (foreign currency non-resident) account | Can open an NRE (non-resident external), NRO (non-resident ordinary), and FCNR (foreign currency non-resident) account |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Same as NRI | Same as NRI |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Stay in India | Stay in India |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | No time limit on stay | No time limit on stay |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | No time limit and no registration needed | No time limit and no registration needed |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Employment | Employment |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Can work in India including some government jobs | Can work in India including some government jobs |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Can work in the private sector but not for the government | Can work in the private sector but not for the government |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Ownership of property | Ownership of property |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Can buy homes and commercial property, but not farms or farmland | Can buy homes and commercial property, but not farms or farmland |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Same as NRI | Same as NRI |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Taxes | Taxes |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Pay tax on money earned in India; overseas income usually not taxed here | Pay tax on money earned in India; overseas income usually not taxed here |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Tax status depends on if you are a resident or not that year | Tax status depends on if you are a resident or not that year |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Healthcare | Healthcare |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Access to public hospitals; can buy private insurance | Access to public hospitals; can buy private insurance |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Can use healthcare but not government support schemes; can buy insurance | Can use healthcare but not government support schemes; can buy insurance |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Voting rights | Voting rights |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Yes, if your name is on the voting list | Yes, if your name is on the voting list |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | No, cannot vote | No, cannot vote |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Dual citizenship | Dual citizenship |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Not allowed, but the OCI card comes with long-term residency rights | Not allowed, but the OCI card comes with long-term residency rights |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Feature | Special permissions | Special permissions |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Usually no special permissions needed | Usually no special permissions needed |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Needed for things like research in restricted areas | Needed for things like research in restricted areas |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
| Feature | Restrictions | Restrictions |
| Non-resident Indian (NRI) | Cannot buy farms or agricultural land unless inherited or gifted | Cannot buy farms or agricultural land unless inherited or gifted |
| Overseas citizen of India (OCI) | Same as NRI | Same as NRI |
| Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) | Same as OCI | Same as OCI |
Rules and information can change. Always check the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for the latest news.
You can apply for an OCI card if:
Take care to check your documents carefully. Any mistakes may delay your application.
HSBC has many services to help NRIs and OCIs manage money between countries. Whether that's to open a bank account, transfer funds overseas, take out a mortgage or insurance, or invest in India and overseas.
Our products and services suit customers moving overseas or returning to India after being abroad.
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