Consulate General of India
Atlanta
PRESS RELEASE
July 29, 2021
Subject: Instructions on Re-issue of OCI Card, Updation of New Passport Particulars and Application for Special Permission
The following instructions may be followed for re-issue of OCI Card, updation of passport particulars on acquiring new passport and submission of application for special permission:
(i) An OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued once when a new passport is obtained after completing 20 years of age. Such OCI cardholder should apply for re-issue of OCI card on the OCI portal under OCI Miscellaneous Services: https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome and send the application to the Outsourcing Agency (VFS) as per guidelines given on the VFS website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind;
(ii) An OCI cardholder is required to update the details of new passport and upload a copy of new passport containing photo of the passport holder and also the latest photo on the OCI portal 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. Tese 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;
(iii) In case of those who have been registered as OCI cardholder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an OCI cardholder, the OCI cardholder shall upload a copy of new passport containing photo of the passport holder and also the latest photo on the OCI portal under OCI Miscellaneous Services each time a new passport is issued. In such cases, the OCI cardholder and his/her Indian spouse or OCI cardholder spouse will have to give a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting. Copy of Indian passport of the Indian spouse/Passport and OCI card of the OCI cardholder spouse shall also be uploaded in such cases. These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder (spouse of foreign origin) within three months of receipt of his/her new passport. This service will be provided on gratis basis;
(iv) Immediately on uploading of documents as mentioned in sub-paras (ii) and (iii) above, an e-mail will be sent to the OCI cardholder automatically confirming that documents have been successfully uploaded. After necessary verification, an acknowledgement through e-mail will be automatically sent to the OCI cardholder informing that the updated details have been taken on record; and
(v) There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgement of his/her documents in the online system.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when there is a change in personal particulars of the OCI cardholder such as name and nationality, the OCI cardholder should get the OCI card reissued immediately on obtaining the new passport with revised particulars.
3. As per Gazette Notification dated 4th March, 2021, OCI cardholders are required to obtain Special Permission from concerned authorities to undertake certain activities in India. In order to make it convenient to such OCI cardholders, a separate sub-portal under the name “Apply for Special Permission (only for OCI cardholders)” has been created in the OCI portal. The link has detailed instructions as well as documents required to be submitted.
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