In India, the process for obtaining permanent residency is called the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme. The OCI scheme provides foreign nationals of Indian origin with the right to live and work in India without the need for a visa.

To be eligible for the OCI scheme, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must be a foreign national of Indian origin or a spouse of a foreign national of Indian origin.
2. The applicant must have held an Indian passport at any time, or their parent or grandparent must have been a citizen of India.
3. The applicant must not be a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh.

To apply for OCI, the applicant must follow these steps:

1. Submit an online application: The applicant must submit an online application through the OCI website and upload all required documents.
2. Pay the fee: The applicant must pay the fee for OCI application processing.
3. Submit the application: After completing the online application and paying the fee, the applicant must submit the application to the designated office.
4. Provide biometrics: The applicant must provide biometric data, including fingerprints and photographs, at the designated office.
5. Wait for processing: The application processing time for OCI is generally 4-6 weeks, but it may vary depending on the Indian embassy or consulate where the application is submitted.

Once the OCI application is approved, the applicant will receive an OCI card, which serves as proof of their permanent residency status in India. The OCI card is valid for the lifetime of the holder and provides many of the same rights and privileges as Indian citizens, except for the right to vote, hold public office, and purchase agricultural land.