Good News For OCI Card Holders

In view of the problems faced by some OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), the Indian government has pushed the deadline on OCI card re-issuance to June 30, 2020.

FREMONT, CA: According to the Consulate General of India in New York, the Indian government has decided to grant temporary relaxation to OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card holders in certain cases till June 30, 2020. This step is to be taken in a bid to help Overseas Citizen of India card holders.

If an OCI card holder is below the age of 20 years and has not got the OCI card re-issued then they may travel on the strength of their existing OCI card bearing old passport number. The only condition is that along with the new passport, the OCI cardholder should carry the old passport mentioned in the OCI card.

The OCI card holders who are above the age of 50 years and have their passport renewed subsequently but has not got their OCI card re-issued on renewal of their passport, they may travel on the basis of the existing OCI card along with the old and new passports.

As per the rules, up to the age of 20 years, each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder the OCI card needs to be re-issued.

After completing 50 years of age again it is necessary to re-issue the OCI card on acquiring a new passport. In between the age of 21 and 50 there is no need to re-issue the OCI card each time a passport is issued

It is, however, advised, the consulate said in a press release on Dec. 18 that OCI cardholders may take steps to act in accordance with the existing OCI guidelines and renew their OCI cards as required by the rules.