Ind ia simplifies OCI card re-issuing
INDIA’S central government has simplified the process of re-issuing the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, a decision which is expected to significantly ease the process.
Presently, the OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age, in view of biological facial changes of the applicant.
With a view to facilitate the OCI cardholders, it has been decided by the Central government to dispense with this requirement, the Ministry of Home Affairs said this week.
A person who was registered as a OCI card holder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after reaching the age of 20, so as to capture his or her facial features on attaining adulthood.
If a person has obtained registration as a OCI cardholder after attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no requirement of re-issue of the OCI card.
With a view to update the data regarding new passports obtained by the OCI cardholder, it has been decided that he or she shall upload a copy of the new passport containing his or her photo and also a latest photo on the online OCI portal, each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age.
These documents may be uploaded by the OCI card holder within 3 months of receipt of the new passport.
However, in the case of those who have been registered as OCI card holder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or an OCI card holder, the person concerned will be required to upload on the system, a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo along with a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting each time a new passport is issued.
These documents may be uploaded by the OCI card holder’s spouse within three months of receipt of his or her new passport.
The details will be updated on the system and an auto acknowledgement through e-mail will be sent to the OCI card holder informing that the updated details have been taken on record.
There will be no restriction on the OCI card holder to travel to or from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgement of his or her documents in the web-based system.
The uploading of documents will be provided on gratis basis to the OCI card holders.
The OCI card has proved to be very popular among foreigners of Indian origin and spouses of foreign origin of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders, as it helps them in hassle free entry and unlimited stay in India.
An OCI card is a life-long visa for entry into and stay in India with a number of other major benefits attached to it which are not available to other foreigners.
As per the extant law, a foreigner of Indian origin or a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or foreign spouse of an OCI cardholder, can be registered as an OCI cardholder. |