According to a release from the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, May 22, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has set guidelines regarding extension of deadline for renewal/re-issue of OCI cards beyond June 30, 2020.

An Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registration is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the age of 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age in view of biological changes in the face of the applicant.

With a view to avoid inconvenience to such OCI cardholders, it has been decided, with the approval of the competent authority, to grant extension of time till Dec. 31, 2020 to get their OCI cards re-issued.

As and when prohibition on international air travel is lifted by the Central Government and the status of OCI card as a lifelong visa for travel to/from India is restored, such OCI cardholders may be allowed to travel on the strength of their existing OCI cards bearing old passport number.  However, this will be subject to the OCI cardholder travel along with old and new passports and the OCI card having the old passport number.

The following OCI guidelines have been in force since 2005:

  • OCI card needs to be re-issued each time a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years.
  • OCI card is required to be re-issued once on acquiring a new passport after completing 50 years of age.
  • Re-issuance of OCI card is not required each time a passport is issued to a cardholder between 21 and 50 years of age.

Government of India has decided to grant temporary relaxation till Dec. 31, 2020 in the following cases:

  • In case an OCI card holder below the age of 20 years has not got the OCI card re-issued on change of passport, he/she may travel on the strength of his/her 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.
  • In case an OCI card holder who has attained the age of 50 years and has got his/her passport renewed subsequently but has not got his/her OCI card re-issued on renewal of his/her passport, he/she may travel on the strength of the existing OCI card along with the old and new passports.