Dec 5, 2022, 2:15 am
Last edit by: oliver2002
Link to the latest guideline in force: https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default...s_16072021.pdf
If you are below 20 and get a new passport:
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of your new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
You will receive an email confirming the submission and sometime later get another email confirming the update. Nothing is reissued.
If you were issued an OCI card when you were younger than 20 and get a new passport:
you have to apply for a reissue of the OCI card.
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of you new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
Then contact your local mission to submit the old OCI card and receive the new one. Some missions do this on site, mssions with a larger Indian community like the UK/US use a service provider like VFS for that.
If you were issued an OCI card when you were older than 20 and get a new passport:
You don't need to do anything. The next time you fly to India, it would be advisable to carry the old passport with you. If you have time on hand and nothing else to do:
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of you new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
You will receive an email confirming the submission and sometime later get another email confirming the update. Nothing is reissued.
If you were issued an OCI card when you were older than 20 and get a new passport after you turned 50:
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of your new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
You will receive an email confirming the submission and sometime later get another email confirming the update. Nothing is reissued.
The TIMATIC entries are currently as follows: checked on EK on 09FEB2024: https://www.emirates.com/de/english/...destination=in
Visa Exemptions:
Passengers with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet. A physical OCI card or booklet is required. A digital or photocopy of the OCI card or booklet is not accepted.
...
Passengers with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card must apply for a new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card only once when they obtain a new passport after turning 20 years old.
If you are below 20 and get a new passport:
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of your new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
You will receive an email confirming the submission and sometime later get another email confirming the update. Nothing is reissued.
If you were issued an OCI card when you were younger than 20 and get a new passport:
you have to apply for a reissue of the OCI card.
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of you new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
Then contact your local mission to submit the old OCI card and receive the new one. Some missions do this on site, mssions with a larger Indian community like the UK/US use a service provider like VFS for that.
If you were issued an OCI card when you were older than 20 and get a new passport:
You don't need to do anything. The next time you fly to India, it would be advisable to carry the old passport with you. If you have time on hand and nothing else to do:
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of you new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
You will receive an email confirming the submission and sometime later get another email confirming the update. Nothing is reissued.
If you were issued an OCI card when you were older than 20 and get a new passport after you turned 50:
go to https://ociservices.gov.in/ click on 'OCI Miscellaneous Services' and update your details, upload a pdf of your new passport and a jpg of a recent passport foto.
You will receive an email confirming the submission and sometime later get another email confirming the update. Nothing is reissued.
The TIMATIC entries are currently as follows: checked on EK on 09FEB2024: https://www.emirates.com/de/english/...destination=in
Visa Exemptions:
Passengers with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card or booklet. A physical OCI card or booklet is required. A digital or photocopy of the OCI card or booklet is not accepted.
...
Passengers with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card must apply for a new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card only once when they obtain a new passport after turning 20 years old.
QUESTIONS about OCI re-issue after turning 20/50 years
May 11, 2017, 1:13 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
I would err on the side of caution with this, regardless of anecdotal evidence.
I don' t know when this rule came into effect, but since 2009, when my child's first passport was renewed (and OCI wasn't), she has traveled to India at least once a year, so my own experience over 7-8 years suggests that passport control in India don't really care very much about this, yet now that I know, I will surely get this rectified.
I don' t know when this rule came into effect, but since 2009, when my child's first passport was renewed (and OCI wasn't), she has traveled to India at least once a year, so my own experience over 7-8 years suggests that passport control in India don't really care very much about this, yet now that I know, I will surely get this rectified.
May 12, 2017, 8:55 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
May 27, 2017, 10:26 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
Programs: DL SM, AAdvantage, SPG
Posts: 1,360
To my knowledge, there are no legitimate ways to expedite your OCI application. The processing time seems to be highly dependent on the Embassy/Consulate in your jurisdiction.
Jun 20, 2017, 1:02 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Aha. Chance to rant on my favorite beef with Indian babus.
This is one of the most stupid rules I have encountered. (and there are lots when it comes to India)
Face does change with time and need to update photograph after certain period of time make sense. But....
why does a person getting OCI at 49, need again at 51?
face does not change in 28 years between age 21 to 49 but does between 49 and 51?
A reasonable policy would have been to require photo update every 10 years.
Also, why a photo update require such elaborate process that can be handled only in Delhi? (YOU CANT TRAVEL WHILE THIS IS UNDERWAY). Any consulate should be able to handle it.
By the way, a photo is taken at every entry and exit and stored in computers associated with OCI number. Does a photo on a card provide more info?
Luckily the old adage that GOI's left hand and right hand are unfamiliar with each other and usually end up contradicting each other actually works in our favor.
In last 20+ visits, I have yet to encounter a single immigration officer who know about this rule (even when questioned and pocked)
Of course it is better to be safe than sorry but what is safe and what is sorry is up to individual circumstances. Not being able to travel to attend parent's funeral because OCI card is sitting in Delhi for weeks working on "updating photo" falls into "sorry" part.
Have yet to hear a single DP on FT or immihelp or any other india related website where 50+ year old was denied entry because he did not comply with this rule (of course there can always be DP #1 )
This is one of the most stupid rules I have encountered. (and there are lots when it comes to India)
Face does change with time and need to update photograph after certain period of time make sense. But....
why does a person getting OCI at 49, need again at 51?
face does not change in 28 years between age 21 to 49 but does between 49 and 51?
A reasonable policy would have been to require photo update every 10 years.
Also, why a photo update require such elaborate process that can be handled only in Delhi? (YOU CANT TRAVEL WHILE THIS IS UNDERWAY). Any consulate should be able to handle it.
By the way, a photo is taken at every entry and exit and stored in computers associated with OCI number. Does a photo on a card provide more info?
Luckily the old adage that GOI's left hand and right hand are unfamiliar with each other and usually end up contradicting each other actually works in our favor.
In last 20+ visits, I have yet to encounter a single immigration officer who know about this rule (even when questioned and pocked)
Of course it is better to be safe than sorry but what is safe and what is sorry is up to individual circumstances. Not being able to travel to attend parent's funeral because OCI card is sitting in Delhi for weeks working on "updating photo" falls into "sorry" part.
Have yet to hear a single DP on FT or immihelp or any other india related website where 50+ year old was denied entry because he did not comply with this rule (of course there can always be DP #1 )
Jul 8, 2017, 2:10 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Ok, some good news (or lucky breaks)
Three new data points from three different ravellers on three different dates, arriving at three different Indian airports (DEL, BLR, BOM).
All of then OCI holders who got OCI before age 50, turned 50, got new US passport. Have not renewed OCI (none of them knew the rule as they believed on lifelong stamp to be lifelong).
None was asked any question. They presented all three documents as usual (current passport, old passport that had OCI stamp and OCI card).
Again, "dont ask - dont tell - dont educate immigration officer" seem to be good policy (of course there could always be DP #1 at some point)
Three new data points from three different ravellers on three different dates, arriving at three different Indian airports (DEL, BLR, BOM).
All of then OCI holders who got OCI before age 50, turned 50, got new US passport. Have not renewed OCI (none of them knew the rule as they believed on lifelong stamp to be lifelong).
None was asked any question. They presented all three documents as usual (current passport, old passport that had OCI stamp and OCI card).
Again, "dont ask - dont tell - dont educate immigration officer" seem to be good policy (of course there could always be DP #1 at some point)
Jul 21, 2017, 2:59 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Filling out the paperwork to renew my under 21 child's OCI. There's a few things that I am not entirely clear about (neither is the CKGS website, so I thought I'd come here for help)--
Step A For Upload on Government site: There is no link on the page to the Government site, so just wanted to confirm if this was the right webpage to go to for the uploads.
Further,
Step B For Physical Submission to CKGS Application Center
This has a Checklist which I needed some help with.
2. Affidavit in Lieu of Originals Duly Fill-in and Notarize the Affidavit and submit along with the application. : Is there a format for this affidavit, and what originals is this affidavit in lieu of?
Any tips to make this process easier would be very helpful.
Many many thanks!
Step A For Upload on Government site: There is no link on the page to the Government site, so just wanted to confirm if this was the right webpage to go to for the uploads.
Further,
Step B For Physical Submission to CKGS Application Center
This has a Checklist which I needed some help with.
2. Affidavit in Lieu of Originals Duly Fill-in and Notarize the Affidavit and submit along with the application. : Is there a format for this affidavit, and what originals is this affidavit in lieu of?
Any tips to make this process easier would be very helpful.
Many many thanks!
Jul 21, 2017, 3:05 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Ok, some good news (or lucky breaks)
Three new data points from three different ravellers on three different dates, arriving at three different Indian airports (DEL, BLR, BOM).
All of then OCI holders who got OCI before age 50, turned 50, got new US passport. Have not renewed OCI (none of them knew the rule as they believed on lifelong stamp to be lifelong).
None was asked any question. They presented all three documents as usual (current passport, old passport that had OCI stamp and OCI card).
Again, "dont ask - dont tell - dont educate immigration officer" seem to be good policy (of course there could always be DP #1 at some point)
Three new data points from three different ravellers on three different dates, arriving at three different Indian airports (DEL, BLR, BOM).
All of then OCI holders who got OCI before age 50, turned 50, got new US passport. Have not renewed OCI (none of them knew the rule as they believed on lifelong stamp to be lifelong).
None was asked any question. They presented all three documents as usual (current passport, old passport that had OCI stamp and OCI card).
Again, "dont ask - dont tell - dont educate immigration officer" seem to be good policy (of course there could always be DP #1 at some point)
). She's under 21, never been stopped in the last ten years, on her third passport now. But you never know!
Aug 11, 2017, 3:07 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Ok, some good news (or lucky breaks)
Three new data points from three different ravellers on three different dates, arriving at three different Indian airports (DEL, BLR, BOM).
All of then OCI holders who got OCI before age 50, turned 50, got new US passport. Have not renewed OCI (none of them knew the rule as they believed on lifelong stamp to be lifelong).
None was asked any question. They presented all three documents as usual (current passport, old passport that had OCI stamp and OCI card).
Again, "dont ask - dont tell - dont educate immigration officer" seem to be good policy (of course there could always be DP #1 at some point)
Three new data points from three different ravellers on three different dates, arriving at three different Indian airports (DEL, BLR, BOM).
All of then OCI holders who got OCI before age 50, turned 50, got new US passport. Have not renewed OCI (none of them knew the rule as they believed on lifelong stamp to be lifelong).
None was asked any question. They presented all three documents as usual (current passport, old passport that had OCI stamp and OCI card).
Again, "dont ask - dont tell - dont educate immigration officer" seem to be good policy (of course there could always be DP #1 at some point)
Meanwhile, I was flying to BOM on Egypt Air and the counter lady at JFK was quite amused to see the "Lifetime" validity on the OCI card. As were the gents at the boarding gate at CAI. Arrival in BOM was hassle free with a renewed passport that wasn't updated in the OCI records. The immigration officer informed me that I needn't carry my old passport that has the OLCI stamp on it, just the booklet would do.
Aug 23, 2017, 10:01 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
Yes, that "Lifetime" words always bring a question with smirk from immigration officers of unrelated third countries. (especially in Eastern Europe and latin America) If only they knew it was a typical Indian lie - this time from GOI itself. (well, it is Lifetime if you get it after age 50)
Jan 23, 2018, 2:11 pm
#26
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
Hello,
I am '33' my son is '5' .we both have OCI cards, both travelling to India next month and both need to renew our passports (in 2 weeks we'll get new,temporary passports valid 1 year).I understand that I don't need to renew my OCI card nor notify about my passport change as long as I present my old passport at the immigration desk. But what about my son? I cannot submit changes to the 'miscellaneous services' section now because i won't have the new passport details before new passports are issued (which is two weeks time).
I was wondering how this process of updating passport details on OCI card looks like: is it only updating online database (and sending one hard copy to the mission office) and it's done instantly without issuing new booklet or they do issue new booklet? How long does the process take?I will have only ten days from issuing new passports to the flight to India departure date.
Just to mention the OCI card was issued 1,5 year ago so my son's appearance hasn't changed significantly so there wouldn't be need for updating his photo I suppose.
Thank You for your advice.
I am '33' my son is '5' .we both have OCI cards, both travelling to India next month and both need to renew our passports (in 2 weeks we'll get new,temporary passports valid 1 year).I understand that I don't need to renew my OCI card nor notify about my passport change as long as I present my old passport at the immigration desk. But what about my son? I cannot submit changes to the 'miscellaneous services' section now because i won't have the new passport details before new passports are issued (which is two weeks time).
I was wondering how this process of updating passport details on OCI card looks like: is it only updating online database (and sending one hard copy to the mission office) and it's done instantly without issuing new booklet or they do issue new booklet? How long does the process take?I will have only ten days from issuing new passports to the flight to India departure date.
Just to mention the OCI card was issued 1,5 year ago so my son's appearance hasn't changed significantly so there wouldn't be need for updating his photo I suppose.
Thank You for your advice.
Jan 24, 2018, 1:20 pm
#27
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: NJ, USA
Programs: UA MM
Posts: 671
Hello,
I am '33' my son is '5' .we both have OCI cards, both travelling to India next month and both need to renew our passports (in 2 weeks we'll get new,temporary passports valid 1 year).I understand that I don't need to renew my OCI card nor notify about my passport change as long as I present my old passport at the immigration desk. But what about my son? I cannot submit changes to the 'miscellaneous services' section now because i won't have the new passport details before new passports are issued (which is two weeks time).
I was wondering how this process of updating passport details on OCI card looks like: is it only updating online database (and sending one hard copy to the mission office) and it's done instantly without issuing new booklet or they do issue new booklet? How long does the process take?I will have only ten days from issuing new passports to the flight to India departure date.
Just to mention the OCI card was issued 1,5 year ago so my son's appearance hasn't changed significantly so there wouldn't be need for updating his photo I suppose.
Thank You for your advice.
I am '33' my son is '5' .we both have OCI cards, both travelling to India next month and both need to renew our passports (in 2 weeks we'll get new,temporary passports valid 1 year).I understand that I don't need to renew my OCI card nor notify about my passport change as long as I present my old passport at the immigration desk. But what about my son? I cannot submit changes to the 'miscellaneous services' section now because i won't have the new passport details before new passports are issued (which is two weeks time).
I was wondering how this process of updating passport details on OCI card looks like: is it only updating online database (and sending one hard copy to the mission office) and it's done instantly without issuing new booklet or they do issue new booklet? How long does the process take?I will have only ten days from issuing new passports to the flight to India departure date.
Just to mention the OCI card was issued 1,5 year ago so my son's appearance hasn't changed significantly so there wouldn't be need for updating his photo I suppose.
Thank You for your advice.
Jan 25, 2018, 6:45 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,942
Yes, that "Lifetime" words always bring a question with smirk from immigration officers of unrelated third countries. (especially in Eastern Europe and latin America) If only they knew it was a typical Indian lie - this time from GOI itself. (well, it is Lifetime if you get it after age 50)
May 10, 2018, 5:09 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 140
My experience with OCI.
I renewed my US Passport before I turned 50 and was aware of the rule to get OCI renewed after one turns 50 so got in touch with the NY Consulate and would you believe it THEY ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY EMAIL !!!!. They told me that the OCI needs to be renewed once after you turn 50 and get a new Passport AFTER you turn 50 so I do not have to do it at this time. Last year when I wen to India did not have any problems, I am going back again this year.
I renewed my US Passport before I turned 50 and was aware of the rule to get OCI renewed after one turns 50 so got in touch with the NY Consulate and would you believe it THEY ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY EMAIL !!!!. They told me that the OCI needs to be renewed once after you turn 50 and get a new Passport AFTER you turn 50 so I do not have to do it at this time. Last year when I wen to India did not have any problems, I am going back again this year.
May 23, 2018, 10:58 pm
#30
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,203
My experience with OCI.
I renewed my US Passport before I turned 50 and was aware of the rule to get OCI renewed after one turns 50 so got in touch with the NY Consulate and would you believe it THEY ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY EMAIL !!!!. They told me that the OCI needs to be renewed once after you turn 50 and get a new Passport AFTER you turn 50 so I do not have to do it at this time. Last year when I wen to India did not have any problems, I am going back again this year.
I renewed my US Passport before I turned 50 and was aware of the rule to get OCI renewed after one turns 50 so got in touch with the NY Consulate and would you believe it THEY ACTUALLY REPLIED TO MY EMAIL !!!!. They told me that the OCI needs to be renewed once after you turn 50 and get a new Passport AFTER you turn 50 so I do not have to do it at this time. Last year when I wen to India did not have any problems, I am going back again this year.
And this national security waits for expiry of your foreign visa???
Yes, only in India.
If we can find a way to harass you, we will.
PS: A lot of people are not aware of this rule - assume lifetime is lifetime and visit India without getting new OCI.
Havent heard of any case where they were sent back!!
Just dont rock the boat.
Dont ask any "clarifying: questions to be "on safe side".