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
Mar 21, 2017, 4:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 111
QUESTIONS about OCI re-issue after turning 20/50 years
Hi,
I am heading back to India in a few weeks.
Last trip (few years ago), when i was below 50:
I was able to get in with the old OCI visa in the old US passport, the OCI booklet and with my new US passport.
Current planned trip in a few weeks:
Now that I just turned 50, can I get back in with the same setup as above or do I need to get a new OCI card (or simply apply for a visa this one time).
The way I read the rule, since I got my new US passport before I was 50, I should be OK. The next time I get a new passport, I'll have to apply for another OCI card.
Thoughts?
I am heading back to India in a few weeks.
Last trip (few years ago), when i was below 50:
I was able to get in with the old OCI visa in the old US passport, the OCI booklet and with my new US passport.
Current planned trip in a few weeks:
Now that I just turned 50, can I get back in with the same setup as above or do I need to get a new OCI card (or simply apply for a visa this one time).
The way I read the rule, since I got my new US passport before I was 50, I should be OK. The next time I get a new passport, I'll have to apply for another OCI card.
Thoughts?
Mar 21, 2017, 8:05 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 111
QUESTIONS about OCI re-issue after turning 20/50 years
May 6, 2017, 12:41 pm
#5
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 7, 2017, 9:21 am
#6
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,130
The OCI 'visa' is tied to your passport number, so you need to update your passport details with the OCI database using the OCI misc services here: http://passport.gov.in/oci/capchaActionMisc
The guidelines issued by the MHA are here: http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/GuidelinesOCI.pdf
The guidelines issued by the MHA are here: http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/GuidelinesOCI.pdf
May 8, 2017, 2:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: MSP
Posts: 184
The OCI 'visa' is tied to your passport number, so you need to update your passport details with the OCI database using the OCI misc services here: http://passport.gov.in/oci/capchaActionMisc
The guidelines issued by the MHA are here: http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/GuidelinesOCI.pdf
The guidelines issued by the MHA are here: http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/GuidelinesOCI.pdf
http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/FAQs-200709.pdf
May 8, 2017, 3:00 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Just to clarify, one does not need new OCI documents upon passport renewal if the person is under the age of 50. Please see the second paragraph of rule # 16 here:
http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/FAQs-200709.pdf
http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/FAQs-200709.pdf
May 9, 2017, 4:02 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,649
WOW! The rule you mention states "OCI registration certificate and visa have got to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age and once after completion of 50 years of age". My daughter, 12, is on her third passport and we are yet to have her OCI reissued. Is this a new rule ? Or have we been really really lucky that no one's ever raised a question?
May 9, 2017, 4:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
Who would think to renew a document that has "Lifelong" stamped on it. Sigh!
May 10, 2017, 12:25 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
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Posts: 29,649
May 10, 2017, 1:14 am
#12
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 48,130
They should just allow you to update the current passport details (and maybe mail in a copy of the new document, duly self attested signed and stamped) online so the OCI card and your passport number are in synch for the immigration system. Similar to how you update your data in the US global entry database. Ironically thats exactly what they have in place to update your current address and profession 
They have a point with the faces of children changing at age <20. That is one of the reasons most countries don't issue passports valid for more than 5 years for minors.
They have a point with the faces of children changing at age <20. That is one of the reasons most countries don't issue passports valid for more than 5 years for minors.
May 10, 2017, 8:30 am
#13
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
They should just allow you to update the current passport details (and maybe mail in a copy of the new document, duly self attested signed and stamped) online so the OCI card and your passport number are in synch for the immigration system. Similar to how you update your data in the US global entry database. Ironically thats exactly what they have in place to update your current address and profession
They have a point with the faces of children changing at age <20. That is one of the reasons most countries don't issue passports valid for more than 5 years for minors.
They have a point with the faces of children changing at age <20. That is one of the reasons most countries don't issue passports valid for more than 5 years for minors.
Thanks much for this info, folks, I shall look into this with the consulate here in NY before our summer travel.
May 10, 2017, 5:00 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LAX/BUR, RDU
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Posts: 1,360
I understand children's appearance change a lot in the early part of their lives, but if I were not a part of this FT community I would never have known these rules about OCI. The U visa stamp says "Lifelong" under validity next to a two year old child's photo. I would have much preferred it said a date and year, rather than finding myself stuck at an airport on day of travel.
Thanks much for this info, folks, I shall look into this with the consulate here in NY before our summer travel.
Thanks much for this info, folks, I shall look into this with the consulate here in NY before our summer travel.
Does anybody know any instance when a child (or senior) was denied entry into India because they were <20 (or >50) years old with an non-reissued OCI card??
Because this has always confused me http://boi.gov.in/content/overseas-c...oci-cardholder
OCI card holders shall now be given Immigration clearance on the strength of their valid forign [sic] passport and OCI Registration Certificate (OCI booklet, popularly known as OCI card)
May 11, 2017, 8:11 am
#15
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: New York, New York
Programs: AA Gold, Alaska MVP; Free Agent Super Duper Diamond Treasure Chest ;)
Posts: 4,682
To be honest, I was in the same situation as you, with not knowing "Lifelong" did not mean "lasting or remaining in a particular state throughout a person's life" for a child
Does anybody know any instance when a child (or senior) was denied entry into India because they were <20 (or >50) years old with an non-reissued OCI card??
Because this has always confused me http://boi.gov.in/content/overseas-c...oci-cardholder
It's like everything the govt. of India publishes contradicts something else... and it confuses everyone
Does anybody know any instance when a child (or senior) was denied entry into India because they were <20 (or >50) years old with an non-reissued OCI card??
Because this has always confused me http://boi.gov.in/content/overseas-c...oci-cardholder
It's like everything the govt. of India publishes contradicts something else... and it confuses everyone
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.
