Q.825 Is it compulsory to

transfer OCI Visa to new passports

of minor

Question: dear sir please explain the following doubt regarding OCI "U" visa . our grand children - one is 12 and second one is 6 - are US born minors. they already had their OCI Cards and stamped on their passports also. now they have been issued new passports by the US Government. my question is this .... is it necessary to transfer the OCI " U " visa on their new passports ? if they want to travel to India what is needed to take by them? according to Government of India [ MHA- Foreigners Division] Lr no 26011/06/2015-OCI i understood the stamping on new passports is not compulsory . please explain the present situation of this type of OCI stampings on new passports . please reply me through my email thanking you krishna [November 18, 2015] Answer: Yes! the Government of India has [vide Notice No. 26011/06/2015 – OCI dated 29th January, 2015] removed the requirement for OCI holders to carry their expired passport that had the original OCI U Visa pasted on it. To enter or exit India. from now on, registered OCI cardholders need to carry: 1. Their valid foreign passport AND 2. Their OCI Registration Certificate. [OCI Booklet] Both of the above two mentioned documents are required. The requirement to transfer OCI visa has been done away with because from now, the OCI Registration Certificate booklet will be accepted as proof of OCI status. Instead of pasting OCI visa on passports, it will be shown on the OCI Registration Certificate (Booklet issued when OCI is granted). The requirement for those applicants who are 20 years of age or younger, that they must get their OCI documents re-issued each time they get a new passport, is still valid. The only difference that may occur here is, that instead of pasting OCI U Visa on new passports, it would be pasted on the OCI Registration booklet. I assume a new booklet would be issued. The reason for reissue of OCI documents in earlier age category, perhaps is due to change in appearance etc. as children grow. Since your grandchildren have new passports, re- issue of new OCI documents is required for them. A new OCI Visa will be pasted on OCI Registration Certificate. When they travel to India they should take their new passport and the OCI Registration Certificate booklet. They need not carry their expired foreign passport.