Consulate General of India Vancouver,BC,Canada

New OCI Guidelines

CGI Vancouver

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Subject: Revised guidelines for Re-issuance of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards.

Government of India has revised the instructions/ guidelines on Re-issuance of OCI cards on issue of new passports to foreign nationals holding OCI cards.

(i). Mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreign national up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age, has been dispensed with.

(ii). OCI card holder is required to get the OCI card reissued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his/her facial features.

(iii). OCI card holder is required to upload online [www.ociservices.gov.in], a copy of the new passport and a latest photo each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age. The uploading of these documents on the OCI portal [www.ociservices.gov.in], may be done within three months of receipt of the new passport. The service will be provided on gratis (no cost/ free) basis. This facility to upload photo and passport copy will be available on the website after 30 June 2021.

(iv). Foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI card holder are required to upload a copy of the new passport and also a latest photo online [www.ociservices.gov.in], each time a new passport is issued along with a declaration on subsisting of marriage, copy of the Indian passport of the Indian spouse/passport and OCI card of the OCI card holder spouse.

In the meanwhile, the timeline for re-issuance of OCI card in respect of OCI card holders, who may be required to get their OCI card re-issued, has been extended till 31 December 2021. The OCI card holder travelling on the strength of their existing OCI card bearing old passport number are NOT required to carry their old passport. However, carrying of new passport is mandatory.