A foreign national, who was eligible to become citizen of India on 26.01.1950 or was a citizen of India on or at anytime after 26.01.1950 or belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grand children, provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws, is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). Minor children of such person are also eligible for OCI. However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

Minor children whose both parents are Indian citizens, they are not eligible to apply for OCI. However if one of the parents is eligible for OCI, Then children will also be eligible. In case of both parents being Indian citizens their children born in New Zealand and holding New Zealand nationality are eligible for PIO status.