India simplifies process for re-issue of Overseas Citizen Cards

In a decision which is expected to significantly ease the process for reissue of Overseas Citizen of India OCI cards the Central government has simplified the processPresently the OCI card is required to be reissued 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 changes in the face of the applicantWith a view to facilitate the OCI cardholders it has now been decided by the Central government to dispense with this requirement the Ministry of Home Affairs said on Thursday This decision has been taken on the directions of Union Home Minister Amit ShahA person who has got registration as OCI cardholder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card reissued only once when a new passport is issued after his or her completing 20 years of age so as to capture his or her facial features on attaining adulthoodIf a person has obtained registration as OCI cardholder after attaining the age of 20 years there will be no requirement of reissue of OCI cardWith 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 ageThese documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within 3 months of receipt of the new passportHowever in the case of those who have been registered as OCI cardholder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or an OCI cardholder 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 issuedThese documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder spouse within three months of receipt of his or her new passportThe details will be updated on the system and an auto acknowledgement through email will be sent to the OCI cardholder informing that the updated details have been taken on recordThere will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder 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 webbased systemAll the above services of uploading documents will be provided on gratis basis to the OCI cardholdersThe OCI Card has proved to be very popular amongst 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 IndiaSo far about 3772 lakh OCI Cards have been issued by India OCI card is a lifelong visa for entry into and stay in India with a number of other major benefits attached to it which are not available to other foreignersAs 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 cardholderThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever