The Indian government has issued a notification according to which People of Indian origin and the Indian diaspora having Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards are now not required to carry their old, expired passports for travel to India, like before. This move has been welcomed by members of the community.
Key Points
- The Overseas Citizens of India or OCI card is issued to people of Indian origin globally which gives them almost all the privileges of an Indian national except for the right to vote, government service, and buying agricultural land. The OCI card gives them visa-free travel to India.
- In order to ease the travel of OCI cardholders, the deadline for re-issuance of OCI cards in r/o OCI cardholders, who may be required to get their OCI card reissued, has been extended until 31 December 2021.
- Also, now the requirement of carrying old and new passports along with the OCI card has been done away with.
- Henceforth, the OCI cardholders travelling on the strength of their existing OCI card bearing old passport numbers are not required to carry their old passport. However, carrying a new passport is mandatory.
- The OCI card, among other benefits, allows multi-purpose, multiple entry lifelong visa to an Indian-origin foreign national to visit India.
- Under the provisions of the OCI card, those below 20 years and above 50 years need to renew their OCI card every time they have their passport renewed.
The Indian government has relaxed the provisions since last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. The timeline has been extended multiple times so far. However, this is for the first time that the guidelines have been relaxed for carrying old passports and the new passports along with the OCI cards for overseas Indians.
Last Modified: February 11, 2024