Application Process to Link OCI Card with New Foreign Passport

If you are an OCI cardholder and got a new foreign passport, then it is important to link it.

However, many applicants get confused between applying for a new OCI card or update details. So, you only need to update the details in your OCI card with the new foreign passport details online.

For this, the Indian government has taken measures and made the application process smoother via the OCI Miscellaneous Services portal. Through this, you can link your new foreign passport with an OCI card without the need to visit the consulate and submit physical documents.

In this blog, we will show you all the processes to link the OCI card with a new foreign passport. Along with this, you will also see benefits, important guidelines, required documents, and mistakes that applicants make.

Understanding Linking OCI with a New Foreign Passport?

You need to link your new foreign passport with your Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. This linking includes major details updates such as passport number, issue date, and other essential information.

As you have your OCI card based on the old passport, in the process of updating your new passport details, you will see:

• Smooth immigration clearance at the check post.
• Your identity verification process will be fast.
• You can travel anytime in India without applying for a visa.

Who Should Update OCI with a New Foreign Passport?

Here are the criteria given below for the individual who needs to update their OCI card with a new foreign passport.

• You need to update your passport, which you will get after turning at the age of 20 years old.
• Online passport updation at the age of 50 years old.

These criteria apply to all the OCI applicants regardless of the country from which they are applying.

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Benefits of Online Passport Update

Updating your new foreign passport details in the OCI card provides you with many benefits, such as:

• The application process is fully digital with no paperwork included.
• Applicants are not required to visit the consulate for the OCI passport update.
• You don't need to submit a physical document to the consulate. You can simply upload all the documents online.
• The OCI online updation process is completely free.
• Updating foreign passport details on your OCI card is a fast application process.
• If your OCI card update is in processing, then you are allowed to travel during the OCI processing time.

What is the Application Process to Link OCI with a New Foreign Passport?

Here are the detailed steps given below to link the OCI card with a new foreign passport.

1. You need to go to the official OCI portal.
2. Click on the OCI Miscellaneous Services option.
3. Start a fresh application by entering all the essential details, such as:
   • OCI card number.
   • Your old passport number is linked to OCI.
   • Your date of birth
4. Select the "Passport Particular Updation" option for linking your new passport with OCI.
5. Fill out the online OCI application form Part A & B with all the correct details.
6. Upload all the necessary documents for updating the OCI application.
   • If you are not a citizen of the current country you are living in, then you need to upload a copy of your visa.
   • Make sure that the documents you have uploaded are in the correct format, size, and verified.
7. You need to review the application and submit your OCI application on the OCI portal.
8. Once your application is submitted, you will get a confirmation mail on your registered address.
9. You can also track your OCI application status via the OCI service portal by entering your file number.

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Do I Need to Reissue or Update My OCI Card After Getting a New Foreign Passport?

For most of the OCI application, after getting a new foreign passport, you don't need to reissue your OCI card.

Here are the following conditions where you need to update your OCI card details:

• If you have renewed your passport.
• When there is no change in the name or nationality on the OCI card.

The conditions under which you need to apply for reissue OCI card:

• When your name is changed due to marriage, remarriage, or divorce.
• If you have changed your nationality or citizenship.
• When you change your address or any major personal detail.

There is no cost for updating the OCI card; it is free of cost (Gratis Service).

How to Travel Without OCI Update After Getting a New Passport?

You can easily travel without an OCI card with a new foreign passport by carrying the essential documents given below.

• You must have your valid OCI card.
• You should have your old passport with you.
• The new foreign passport.

You can travel to India freely. There are no certain limits or boundaries of travelling during this period.

Important Information Related to OCI Update

Check the information given below before starting the process to link OCI with a new foreign passport.

• For linking a foreign passport with the OCI card, only the OCI update is sufficient, irrespective of age.
• OCI cardholders need to provide a copy of their passport to the OCI miscellaneous services. You can upload documents within 3 months of the issuance of your new foreign passport.
• For the OCI based on spouse under section 7A(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955, you need to provide the following documents. A marriage declaration certificate, or a copy of the Indian spouse's passport or OCI card.
• You will get an email confirming that your documents have been uploaded successfully.

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Guidelines by the Authorities for Linking OCI with a New Foreign Passport

You must follow the given guidelines, which are provided by the OCI authorities to the applicants.

• You will not get any updates on your registered email or mobile number from the consulate.
• You should check the status of your application through the official OCI portal.
• You can only apply for one service for a single application, such as a passport or an address.
•  If you have applied for any passport updates in your OCI card, then you will not get a new OCI card. The updates will be changes to your existing OCI.
• You can travel to India even if your OCI update is still in process. 

Is OCI Reissue Important?

Yes, for some cases, you need to reissue your OCI card, such as:

• If your name has changed due to marriage, remarriage, or divorce.
• For a change in nationality or citizenship of an applicant.
• For major changes in the personal information.

Do You Need to Send Documents to the Consulate for OCI Update?

If you have applied for an online OCI update application, then you are not required to send the documents to the consulate.

For online passport update in the OCI card, there is no need to submit the documents physically at the consulate.

Every process for updating details in the OCI is now fully digital and online without paying a single fee.

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What are the Common Mistakes to Avoid While Filling the OCI Application?

Here are some of the mistakes that most of the applicants make while applying for a new OCI card or an OCI update process.

• Most of the applicants do not fill out the OCI application Part A &Part B, which causes a delay in the application or rejection.
• Submitting incorrect information in the OCI application.
• Forgot to upload the supporting documents in the OCI application.
• Providing mismatched, blurred or uneven format documents.
• Selecting the wrong type of OCI service application type.
• The applicant applies for an OCI reissue application instead of an OCI update.

Conclusion

Linking your foreign passport with an OCI card is an important process. For this, the Indian government has also taken major steps and made the application process for updating details in the OCI easy.

You can easily access this by going to the official OCI service website, then selecting the OCI Miscellaneous services option, and filling out the application with all the documents and information.

For more assistance with your OCI update, you can take help with the Visament, which provides you with an easy and secure application process. We handle all the processes and documentation of the applicant and provide him/her updated OCI card, reducing the chances of errors and rejection.