| Who is he/she? | Indian citizen residing outside India holding Indian Passport | Foreign citizen of Indian origin holding foreign passport | Foreign citizen registered as OCI under Citizenship Act, 1955 |
| Citizenship Status | Indian Citizen | Foreign Citizen | Foreign Citizen |
| Passport Held | Indian Passport | Foreign Passport | Foreign Passport |
| Dual Citizenship | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ OCI is NOT dual citizenship |
| Voting Rights | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Can Contest Elections? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Can Become MP/MLA/President/Judge? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Aadhaar Eligibility | ✅ Allowed (as per residency norms) | Limited/subject to rules | Allowed subject to rules |
| PAN Card | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Voter ID | ✅ Allowed | ❌ Not Allowed | ❌ Not Allowed |
| Need Visa for India? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ Lifelong visa-free entry |
| FRRO Registration | ❌ No | Sometimes required | ❌ Exempted for any duration |
| Can Stay in India Indefinitely? | Citizen already | Limited by visa rules | ✅ Yes |
| Can Work in India? | ✅ Yes | Limited by visa type | ✅ Yes except restricted activities |
| Can Buy Residential/Commercial Property? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Can Buy Agricultural Land? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Economic & Financial Rights | Full rights | Limited parity with NRI | Parity with NRI in many fields |
| Government Jobs | ✅ Eligible | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Can Be Deported? | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Can Open Bank Accounts? | ✅ NRE/NRO | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Can Study in India? | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Professional Practice in India | ✅ All | Limited | Doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, advocates, architects, chartered accountants allowed subject to Acts |
| Can Undertake Research Work? | ✅ Yes | Visa dependent | Special permission required |
| Eligibility for Indian Citizenship | Already citizen | Through registration/naturalisation | Eligible after conditions under Citizenship Act |