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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1.       I got a new passport. Can I travel on the same OCI card/I have changed my passport. Do I need to apply for a new OCI Card?
Yes, you can travel on the same OCI card, however, you have to update your new passport details and latest photograph on the OCI web portal. The online OCI webportal has been suitably modified under “OCI Miscellaneous Services” to facilitate OCI card holders to update details of new Passport (each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age). However, an OCI cardholder shall have to get the OCI card re-issued once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age so as to capture his/her facial features on attaining adulthood. A detailed instruction in order to fill Online Application form and requirement may be accessed at https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome.

2.       I have a PIO Card for my minor son. How can I change it to an OCI Card?
Kindly note that the last date for conversion of PIO Cards to OCI Cards free of charge was 31st December 2018. You are required to fill in online application for OCI Card in lieu of PIO card on the link: https://ociservices.gov.in/.After reaching this website, please Click OCI Registration, then proceed, select option OCI Registration in lieu of valid PIO card. It is mandatory to upload Applicant’s signature and image and documents supporting the application are also to be uploaded. Hard copy of the duly filled in application may be submitted at the Embassy of India, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic along with copy of the valid passport and copy of PIO Card. Original documents need to be submitted only for verification. In case of minor who cannot sign, his/her left thumb impression may be placed in the signature box. Parents should not sign in this box on behalf of the children. Please check that all fields in the form are filled in and all necessary enclosures are attached before submission of the form to the Embassy.

3.       I am applying for OCI Card for first time. What is the procedure?
For new OCI Registration, please visit the website: https://ociservices.gov.in/, click on ‘new registration’ and follow the instructions therein.

4.       Whether OCI documents have to be re-issued each time a new passport is taken?
The existing requirement to re-issue an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age is dispensed with. An OCI cardholder may upload a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo on the online system at the link https://ociservices.gov.in/ under OCI Miscellaneous Services 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 cardholder within three months of receipt of the new passport. This service will be provided on gratis basis.
However, an OCI cardholder shall have to get the OCI card re-issued once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age so as to capture his/her facial features on attaining adulthood.

5.       Who is not eligible to apply for an OCI Card?
If you or either of your parents or grandparents or great grandparents is/has been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, you are not eligible to apply for an OCI Card.

The following table enlists the exceptions for OCI Eligibility:


Sr No.

Applicant Demographic

Eligibility

1

Former Bangladesh / Pakistan Nationals

Not Eligible

2

Children of Parents / Grandparents / Great grandparents who are of Bangladesh / Pakistan Origin (one or both, mother or father, of any descent)

Not Eligible

3

Step Children or adopted children

 

 

- Foreign born step or adopted children with one parent Indian and the other one foreign

Not Eligible

 

- Foreign born step or adopted children with both parents Indian Nationals

Not Eligible

 

- Foreign born step or adopted children with both parents as former Indian Nationals

Not Eligible

4

Minor foreigners who are born out of live-in relationships and their parents subsequently either got married or continued with live-in relationship

 

 

- Foreign born children born out of live-in relationships with one parent Indian and the other one foreign

Not Eligible

 

- Foreign born children born out of live-in relationships with both parents Indian Nationals

Not Eligible

 

- Foreign born children born out of live-in relationships with both parents as former Indian Nationals

Not Eligible

5

Foreign born children

 

 

- Foreign born children with one parent Indian and the other one foreign

Eligible

 

- Foreign born children with both or single parent Indian National

Eligible

 

- Foreign born children with both or single parents as former Indian National

Eligible

 

- Foreign born children whose one parent is Indian, one is foreign and parents are divorced

Not Eligible

6

Foreign Spouse

 

 

- Foreign Spouse whose, Indian origin spouse has deceased

Not Eligible

 

- Foreign Spouse who have separated from their Indian origin spouse

Not Eligible

7

Applying on basis of Spouse
- Naturalized Indian Spouse is not an OCI cardholder
- Indian Spouse does not hold an Indian Passport presently

Not Eligible

8

Applying on basis of Spouse and if marriage has not been registered and / or subsisted for a continuous period of two years immediately preceding the presentation of the OCI application

Not Eligible

 

 

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