The Indian government took this decision in order to avoid inconvenience to OCI cardholders who are required to get their OCI cards reissued
Considering Covid-19 situation globally, the Government of India extended deadline for re-issuance of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card by one year. Thus the re-issuance can be done till Dec 31, 2022.
“The mandatory requirement of re-issuance of an OCI card each time a new passport is issued to a foreigner up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age has also been dispensed with,” the American Bazar reported.
A press release issued by the by the Indian Consulate in New York stated that that the Indian government took this decision “in order to avoid inconvenience to OCI cardholders who are required to get their OCI cards reissued.”
After completion of 20 years of age an OCI cardholder is required to upload a copy of the new passport and a recent photo online. The same procedure needs to be followed after attaining 50 years of age
With having an OCI card the People of Indian Origin (PIO) and their spouses are allowed to live and work in India indefinitely. The card offers the PIOs permanent residency facility in India.
According to the current provision, “an OCI cardholder is required to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after completing 20 years of age,” the New York Consulate release said.
At the time of renewal the cardholders have to pay $25 plus $3 for Indian Community Welfare Fund. Applicants seeking renewal also need to pay $15.90 to the outsourcing agency, VFS Global, as service charge, and a fee for any optional services used like shipping labels.
After completion of 20 years of age an OCI cardholder is required to upload a copy of the new passport and a recent photo online. The same procedure needs to be followed after attaining 50 years of age.
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