By presenting the first OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card to Shiji Poulose from Kothamangalam, living in the United Kingdom, CIAL Director A C K Nair officially inaugurated the issue of OC I and PIO cards at Kochi FRRO on Thursday. With this, CIAL has become the first airport in the state to issue OC I and PIO cards.K Sethuraman IPS handed over the second OC I card to Sonia Joseph as he presided over the function. The inaugural ceremony was held at the office of the Foreigner’s Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in the Airlines Building of CIAL. The official notification stated that 30 cards were distributed on the opening day. A c c o r d i n g t o the notification, it will take 50 days to process the application for an OC I. After submitting of documents, verifications will be carried out in India and at the present place where the applicant is residing.Original documents are to be presented to FRRO on intimation after the application is sent online. The documents include proof to establish that they have roots in India.An OC I card will make the holder eligible for a U-VISA (universal visa) enabling him to visit India at any time he requires. No restrictions would be imposed on the duration of stay or the number of times he visits. An OC I card holder can also work and do business in India but cannot work in government offices and own agricultural lands or plantations. An OC I card holder cannot either have voting rights or own a ration card. The OCI card is a permanent, lifelong card and does not require renewal.