Immigration Rights
Rights of foreign nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), and Indian nationals under Indian central immigration and citizenship law.
Visa Entry Rights for Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals require a valid visa to enter and stay in India, with certain exceptions (e.g., Nepal and Bhutan nationals).Visa-on-Arrival / e-Visa: Citizens of over 160 countries are eligible for...
Rights of Foreigners Detained or Arrested in India
Foreign nationals detained or arrested in India enjoy constitutional protections equivalent to Indian citizens, plus additional consular rights under international law.Constitutional rights: Articles...
Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)
OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) is a form of permanent residency for persons of Indian origin who are citizens of other countries. It is not full citizenship but grants substantial rights in India...
Acquiring Indian Citizenship
Indian citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, or naturalisation under the Citizenship Act, 1955.Citizenship by birth: A person born in India on or after 26 January 1950 but befor...
Refugee and Asylum Seeker Rights in India
India has not signed the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, and does not have a dedicated national refugee law. However, courts and the government have extended certain protections to re...
Work Rights for Foreign Nationals in India
Foreign nationals who wish to work in India must hold an Employment Visa (not a tourist or business visa) unless they are OCI holders.Employment Visa requirements:The job must pay a minimum annual sal...
Passport Rights for Indian Citizens
Indian citizens have a constitutional right to travel abroad, and an Indian passport is the primary document enabling that right.Right to a passport: The Supreme Court in Maneka Gandhi (1978) held tha...
Rights of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
Non-Resident Indians (Indian citizens living abroad) retain full Indian citizenship rights with certain modifications for financial and tax purposes.Definition: An Indian citizen who has stayed outsid...