Client Payment Portal

India: Simplifying Overseas Citizenship Cards Renewals

Jun 4, 2021 | Global

The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is popular among foreign nationals who are of Indian origin and spouses of foreign origin of Indian citizens. The card provides for hassle-free entry and unlimited stay in India.

According to news reports, the Ministry of Home Affairs has simplified the rules regarding renewals. OCI cardholders are no longer required to have their OCI cards reissued each time they obtain a new passport.

Previously, it was mandatory for OCI cards to be re-issued each time a cardholder 20 years of age or younger obtained a new passport, and also at least once after the cardholder obtained a passport after the age of 50. Although the Indian government never enforced this rule consistently and permitted entry to OCIs even if they had not renewed the card, many OCIs frequently faced issues at foreign airports before traveling to India if they had not renewed the OCI card after being issued a new passport. Different airlines interpreted these rules inconsistently.

The new guidance is summarized as follows:  

  • Card issued before holder turned 20. Those with OCI cards issued before the cardholder turned 20 years old only need to obtain a reissued OCI card once when they obtain a new passport after reaching 20 years of age.
  • Card issued after holder turned 20. OCI cardholders who obtained their OCI card after they turned 20 years of age no longer need to obtain a re-issued OCI card and can continue to use their existing card.
  • New passport obtained after holder turns 50. OCI cardholders who obtain new passports after the age of 50 are no longer required to have their OCI card reissued.
  • New government notification requirements.
    • OCI cardholders 20 years of age or younger must upload copies of their new passports with recent passport-size photographs to the OCI online portal each time a new passport is issued, and once after reaching 50 years of age.
    • OCI cardholders married to Indian citizens or other OCI cardholders who obtain a new passport must upload a copy of their passport with a recent photograph and a declaration that they are still married.
    • Updated documents and photographs may be uploaded by OCI cardholders within three months of receipt of the new passport.
    • Travel restrictions. There are no travel restrictions from the date the new passport is issued until new details are recorded on the OCI portal.

The Indian government has yet to post instructions on updating documents and photographs under the relaxed guidance.

Details:

Related Posts:

Entry to Russia: 14-Day Quarantine or Testing Requirements

Beginning on July 15, 2020, foreign citizens and those crossing the Russian border on a regular flight, and entering Russia with any purpose except work, must present documentation of a negative COVID-19 test in Russian or English: (1) The document should confirm a negative result for laboratory analysis of COVID-19 infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The test for infection should be done not earlier than three calendar days before entering Russia. (2) Or, instead of the PCR test, the traveler can submit a document confirming the existence of antibodies of immunoglobulin G (IgG). If the traveler does not have such a document, he or she must pass the test within three calendar days of entering Russia. In case of a positive result, a person will have to self-isolate with no contact (quarantine) until a negative test is received. Similar requirements apply to Russian citizens. The entry of foreign citizens is still limited, and only special categories of foreign citizens can enter. Issuance of invitation letters and visas has not yet returned to normal. Persons (Russian citizens as well as foreigners) returning to Russia on flights organized by the Russian government must quarantine for 14 calendar days from the date […]

Read More

Global Newsletter

In this look around the globe, find the latest immigration news regarding WR’s AILA appearance, Canada’s Express Entry permanent residence program and much more! But first, we start with this month’s WR Updates. WReview: WR Immigration at AILA’s Global Migration Forum in Orlando June 19 – 20 Audrey Lustgarten, WR Immigration’s Managing Partner, Global will be speaking on The Future of Innovative Technology panel at the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association’s Global Migration Forum to be held in Orlando, Florida, June 19th and 20th. WR Immigration’s award-winning software, WRapid™, represents the next generation of immigration management software. Powered by Salesforce and driven by AI, WRapid™ empowers human resources professionals with robust analytics, reporting, budgeting, forecasting capabilities, and case processing efficiencies. Will you be attending AILA in Orlando? Let us know, we would love to connect! Back to Top Canada: Express Entry Permanent Residence Program Canada has announced that it will implement category-based draws for its Express Entry permanent residence program with the goal of attracting workers in industries facing worker shortages. The government plans to target draws to workers who have experience in certain occupations in healthcare, STEM professions, construction trades, transportation and agriculture/agri-food, as well as those who are fluent […]

Read More