Individuals can travel to India on the strength of their existing OCI card bearing old passport number till 31.12.2022. SEE HERE
Requirement of carrying the Old and new passports along with the OCI card has been done away. Henceforth, OCI card holders travelling on the strength of their existing OCI card bearing old passport number are NOT required to carry their old passport. However, carrying the new passport is mandatory.
If a new passport is issued after the age of 20, all OCI cardholders who need to get their OCI card will be given more time until December 31, 2022, according to a press release issued by the Foreign Office of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card
Instruction about re-issuance of OCI
As per the guidelines, OCI card holders are required to get OCI card reissued once a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age. The time period for reissue of such OCI cards is now extended till 31.12.2022, and all such card holders will be allowed to travel on the strength of their existing OCI cards bearing old passport number subject to the condition that the OCI cardholder will have to travel along with new passport.
"Such OCI cardholders will be allowed to travel on the strength of their existing OCI cards with the old passport number and the new passport," the note said.
- When you issue a new passport after the age of 20, you only need to renew it once. (Only if OCI has been issued before the age of 20)
- The old rules for renewing the OCI card were scrapped (canceled) each time a new passport was issued or after the age of 50.
- Minors do not need to renew their OCI when changing their passport
- OCI does not need to be renewed after the age of 50
- If the OCI is issued after the age of 20, the OCI does not need to be renewed
- The OCI does not need to be renewed each time the passport is changed
- No need to renew OCI to change address
Government of India has revised instructions/ guidelines on 'Re-issuance of OCI cards due to issuance of new foreign passport to OCI card holders'-
(i) Mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age has now been dispensed with.
(ii) OCI cardholder is now required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age so as to capture his/ her facial features.
(iii) OCI cardholder is however required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued upto 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age.The uploading of these documents may be done within three months of receipt of the new passport. The service will be provided on Gratis (no cost/ free) basis.
(iv) Foreign Spouse of an Indian Citizen or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder are required to upload a copy of the new passport and also a latest photo ONLINE each time a new passport is issued along with a declaration on subsisting of marriage, copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse/passport & OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse.
You do not need to renew your OCI if you fall into one of the above categories. https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome OR https://ociservices.gov.in/ You can upload your photo and passport online at.
When to renew ?:
The OCI card can be renewed only once after the age of 20 and upon receipt of the new passport (this is for those who have obtained OCI before the age of 20). OCI needs to be renewed if name or nationality changes
In all other cases, OCI cardholders are required to update their current passport details online using OCI's free service.
Applicants need only upload a copy and photo of their current passport online at https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome OR https://ociservices.gov.in/ Below are details on how to upload photos and documents. No fee is required. No need to fill out any form. No appointment required.
The government has also relaxed the requirement to hold an old passport linked to an OCI card. At present all OCI card holders can travel to / from India only with their OCI card and current passport. But as mentioned above, upload your latest photo and passport on the OCI website.
The above guideline is for those with OCI. Those who do not and those who want to apply for a new OCI will have to submit new applications.
There are two types of OCI various (renewal) services: -
1. Free Service (Free) / Gratis Service (Free)
2. Chargeable
Depending on the reason for using the various service options, the system will automatically display the option under the free or chargeable service.
The services under the following categories are gratis (no cost) in nature:
- In case issuance of new Passport Details (each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age)
- In case change in address/occupation/contact details.
To avail above mentioned gratis Miscellaneous Service, you must be an existing OCI Card Holder. Following is the process for availing of Gratis OCI Miscellaneous Services:
(a) Apply on-line on https://ociservices.gov.in and opt for passport updating services under OCI Miscellaneous Services and upload the latest photograph and requisite documents.
(b) The applicant shall receive an auto email for successful upload of the photograph/documents.
(c) The Embassy will verify the documents uploaded and acknowledge/ grant changes in the personal particulars of the applicant. The applicant shall also receive an auto email once the entire process is completed.
Note: The entire process will take approximately 5-6 weeks as per the SOPs of the Govt. of India. There is no need to send the documents to the Embassy in this regard. Applicant’s details will be updated online. New OCI card will NOT be issued in this case.
The re-issuance of new OCI card will be applicable for following categories (chargable service):
- In case of issuance of new passport (once a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age.)
- In case of change of personal particulars viz. name, father's name, nationality etc.
- In case of loss/damage of OCI registration certificate.
Procedure for applying OCI Miscellaneous service:
https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome OR https://ociservices.gov.in/
.png)
The opinions posted here do not belong to 🔰www.indiansdaily.com. The author is solely responsible for the opinions.
As per the IT policy of the Central Government, insults against an individual, community, religion or country, defamatory and inflammatory remarks, obscene and vulgar language are punishable offenses. Legal action will be taken for such expressions of opinion.