–Indian Government announces

THE Government of India has decided that the registration facility for issuance of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card will now be available to the descendants of fifth and sixth generation of the original Indian immigrants who arrived in Guyana as migrants and indentured labourers in the early 19th century from India.

According to information from the High Commission of India, this facility was previously available only up to fourth generation of the original Indian immigrants who arrived in Guyana.
The record of arrival of such migrant and indentured labourers from Indian territories is maintained and preserved by National Archives/Government of Guyana.
“The applicant will be required to submit the family tree up to sixth generation or arrival of first Indian Origin person till the applicant, duly attested/apostilled birth certificate issued by National Archives/Government of Guyana which is utilised as documentary evidence for extending the OCI card facility till sixth generation,” the Indian High Commission said.

According to Indian High Commission’s website, the benefits of the OCI card include a multiple entry, multi-purpose lifelong visa for visiting India; exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India; parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties; and any other benefits to OCI’s will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.