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When Do You Need OCI Card Renewal? Rules & Requirements
Table of Contents
- When Does the OCI Card Need to Be Reissued and Renewed?
- When is the OCI Card Reissuance Not Required?
- What is the OCI Card Renewal Process?
- What are the OCI Card Renewal Rules?
- When to Update Your OCI Card without Requiring Reissuance?
- What's Best For Foreign-Born Indian Kids: OCI Card or Indian Tourist Visa?
- Final Thoughts
Table of Contents
The renewal rules for OCI cards have been relaxed since 2021, but there is still some confusion about it among individuals. It is important to understand when to renew your OCI card and when to just update it online. If you maintain compliance with the OCI guidelines with respect to renewal and update them on time, then you can enjoy your hassle-free travel to India.
To take a smooth entry and exit to India without any stress, your OCI card must be updated. Read our blog till the end to understand the details about OCI cards and learn when to renew them or when to update them.
When Does the OCI Card Need to Be Reissued and Renewed?
In some of the specific scenarios, the physical reissuance of the OCI cards is compulsory. The foreign citizens of Indian origin should get their OCI cards reissued and renewed once after they cross the age of 20, especially when their passports get renewed. The OCI card reissuance is mandatory as per the Indian Government, with your recent photo that fully captures your facial features.
Other cases where reissuance of OCI cards is required:
- Name change, like after marriage
- Change in the nationality
- Loss or damage to the OCI card
- Error correction in the existing PAN card
When is the OCI Card Reissuance Not Required?
The Indian-origin foreign citizens need to reissue their OCI card once they turn 20 or 50. They don't need to get their OCI cards reissued each time their passports get renewed. The rules for the OCI cards were relaxed in 2021 for the first time for OCI cardholders. They are allowed to travel to and from India hassle-free without the reissuance of the OCI card.
Also Want to Know About OCI Card Renewal & Reissue Application Check Now!What is the OCI Card Renewal Process?
The process to get your OCI card reissued is quite straightforward, but you need to carefully prepare the documents for the application. Here are the steps that you can follow after checking your eligibility:
- Gather Required Documents: Your old and new passports, current OCI card, proof of address, a recent passport-size photograph, and supporting documents for your nationality or name change.
- Complete Online Application: Navigate to the official OCI portal and select the "OCI Re-issue/Miscellaneous Services" option. Then, you need to fill out the form and upload all the required documents along with the photograph.
- Print the application and submit: After finishing the online application form, print it and submit it to your nearest VFS Global Center or Indian Consulate along with your OCI card, passports, and other supporting documents.
- Pay the fee: Here, you need to pay the OCI card renewal fees mentioned on the website. Also, the fees for lost and duplicate OCI cards can be higher than the normal processing fees.
- Track your application: You can track the status of your OCI card application. Keep all the copies of your submitted documents for reference.
- Get your Renewed OCI card: Once processing is done, your OCI card will be reissued and sent to you via post.
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Apply NowWhat are the OCI Card Renewal Rules?
- You need to reissue your OCI card only once when you get a new passport after turning 20 years old.
- The previous rule was that OCI cardholders needed to renew their card each time a new passport was issued and after the age of 50, but it has now been scrapped.
- The OCI cardholders need to update their current passport details online by using the OCI miscellaneous services online.
When to Update Your OCI Card without Requiring Reissuance?
Apart from the cases where the OCI card reissuance and renewal are required, you can easily update your OCI card online each time your passport is renewed.
The general rules for the OCI card say that the cardholders of age below 20 years, above 50 years, and in the 21-50 age group need to update their OCI card by uploading a scanned photo of their new passport and their latest photo on the OCI portal online. This needs to be done within the first 3 months of receiving the new passport, and it is free of cost. According to the Government of India, you are required to update your OCI card with the new passport number as soon as possible.
Also Want to Know About Penalties for not updating OCI after Passport Renewal? Check Now!What's Best For Foreign-Born Indian Kids: OCI Card or Indian Tourist Visa?
Both the OCI card and the Indian Tourist Visa have their own pros and cons. If you need to travel urgently, then you can go for a tourist visa to India, as it can be obtained faster than the OCI card. But, you should keep in mind that the OCI cardholders are given preference over tourist visa holders in India for travel purposes because of the international travel restrictions. Although the choice between the OCI Card vs Indian Tourist Visa can be debatable, you should choose as per your requirements.
Final Thoughts
Get your OCI card renewed once after turning 20 years old when you get your new passport issued. It is required to capture the facial features of the individual after stepping into adulthood. There is no need to reissue your OCI card before 20 years of getting a new passport. You just have to update the details of your new passport by using the OCI miscellaneous services online.
You can also take professional assistance by using the service providers like Visament. We have a team of experts with years of experience who can help you with your OCI card renewal without any errors at very affordable prices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
An OCI cardholder needs to reissue their OCI card once they cross the age of 20 years, when their new passport is issued. It is required to capture their new facial features upon attaining adulthood.
An OCI card is considered a lifelong visa, and it does not technically expire. However, there is a need to renew it after a specific time or update its details.
After the 50 years of age, it is required to reissue the OCI card only once on the renewal of your passport. It is required to update the new details of your passport.
Yes, you can travel with your old OCI card and your new passport, but you need to carry both the old and new passports with you, and your OCI card should be valid.
No, there is no need to reissue the OCI card of a child whose age is less than 20 years each time their passport gets renewed. Instead, you can use the online OCI miscellaneous services and update the details of their passport and upload a recent photo.
No, it is not necessary for your child to be present for OCI renewal. The OCI application can be submitted by one or both parents or legal guardians on behalf of their minor child at the VFS Global Centre. The application needs to be signed by both the parents and the child.
Yes, you are allowed to travel to India while your OCI card update is still pending, as long as you have your OCI card and a valid passport. It is recommended that you complete the online update before traveling to avoid any potential complications or delays at the time of immigration clearance at the Indian airports.
There are certain disadvantages of the OCI card, such as it does not provide full citizenship rights to its holders. It means they cannot vote, hold any public office, government jobs, or buy agricultural land in India.
