India further relaxes rules for OCI cardholders

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government has further relaxed rules for 3.7 million Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).

Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) are no longer required to re-apply for a new OCI card each time a new passport is issued to them. Source: Pradeep Gaur/Mint via Getty Images

Highlights

• Currently, those under 20 are required to re-apply for their OCI cards each time a new passport is issued to them.
• The process gets repeated at the age of 50 due to the changes in the applicant's face with ageing.
• OCI cardholders need to upload a copy of their new passport and the latest photo on the online OCI portal after completing 50 years of age.

The Indian government has done away with the requirement of re-applying for a new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, along with a new passport.

Currently, those under 20 are mandated to get a new OCI card each time a new passport is issued to them. The process gets repeated at the age of 50 due to biological changes in the applicant's face.

"A person who has got registration as OCI cardholder before attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after his/her completing 20 years of age," the Indian government said on Thursday.

"If a person has obtained registration as OCI cardholder after attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no requirement of re-issue of OCI card."

Currently, those under 20 are mandated to get a new OCI card each time a new passport is issued to them. Source: Sudhanshu Malhotra/The The India Today Group via Getty Images

The Indian government said OCI cardholders need to upload a copy of their new passport and the latest photo on the online OCI portal after completing 50 years of age.

The OCI cardholders are required to upload these documents in three months.

Foreign nationals married to OCI cardholders need to upload an additional document stating they are still married to the person each time a new passport is issued to them.

The Indian government believes its decision will facilitate OCI card holders. Source: Press Information Bureau of India

As per the extant law, a foreigner of Indian origin or a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen, or a foreign spouse of an OCI cardholder can become an OCI cardholder.

"There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/ from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgment of his/ her documents in the web-based system," the government said.

The Indian government has issued 3.7 million OCI cards, which act as a life-long visa for entry into India.

Tune into SBS Hindi at 5 pm every day and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.