Planning to visit India on an OCI Card? These six activities require prior approval
Research, journalism, mountaineering and missionary work among activities requiring prior approval
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, July 1, 2026: The Bureau of Immigration (BOI), Government of India, has clarified that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders must obtain prior special permission before undertaking certain specified activities in the country.
According to the Bureau of Immigration, OCI cardholders are required to seek approval from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or the concerned Indian Mission before engaging in the following activities:
- Research activities
- Journalistic activities
- Mountaineering
- Internships in foreign diplomatic missions or foreign government organisations in India
- Employment in foreign diplomatic missions in India
- Missionary or Tabligh activities
The Bureau also reiterated that OCI cardholders must obtain a Special Permit before visiting Protected, Restricted or Prohibited Areas in India.
The advisory has been issued to ensure compliance with the rules governing OCI cardholders and their activities in the country.
Applications for the required permissions can be submitted through the official OCI Services portal.