Q.1300 Temporary relief for OCI

holders have not got OCI re-

issued

Question: My family [wife and two kids] all holding OCI are planing a visit to India for six weeks in Jan 2020. I read on your site that OCI for children must be renewed when the get a new passport. One of my children is now 16 years old and got a new passport when old one expired. We have not got new OCI for her. Can we go to India with old passport and new passport. Please reply soon thanks Answer: There have been reports in the news media of many OCI holders who failed to abide by the rules to get their OCI re-issued being denied entry into India. However you may be luck as the Government of India has decided to grant temporary relaxation to OCI holders who have failed to get OCI re-issued as per requirements under OCI rules. This applies to: 1. OCI card holder’s below the age of 20 years who failed to get their OCI card re- issued on change of their passport. [renewal of expired passport] o Such OCI holders may travel to India until 30th June 2020 on the basis of their existing OCI card bearing old passport number subject to the condition that along with the new passport, the OCI cardholder carries old passport mentioned in the OCI card. 2. In case an OCI card holders who has attained the age of 50 years, have renewed their passport but failed to get their OCI re-issued. o Such OCI holders may travel to India until 30th June 2020 on the basis of the existing OCI card along with the old and new passports.

Guidelines for re-issue of OCI

1. OCI card needs to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the OCI cardholder up to the age of 20 years. 2. OCI card is required to be re-issued once on acquiring a new passport after completing 50 years of age. OCI holdes in the above two categories should take steps to get their OCI renewed as the relaxation allowed by the government may not be extended. Note: Re-issuance of OCI card is not required each time a passport is issued to a cardholder between 21 and 50 years of age.