Administrative rules for OCI cardholders eased

India has announced eased rules for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders who have obtained new passports.

Key Points:

• The government has eliminated a rule that required OCI cardholders to obtain new OCI cards every time they received a new passport up to the age of 20 and once upon obtaining a new passport after reaching the age of 50.
• The new rules are as follows:
  • OCI cardholders under 20. OCI cardholders under the age of 20 no longer need to obtain a new OCI card when their passport is renewed.
  • OCI cardholders age 20-49. OCI cardholders must obtain a new OCI card the first time their passport is renewed after they reach the age of 20. After that, they do not need to obtain a new OCI card when their passport is renewed.
  • OCI cardholders age 50 and older. OCI cardholders no longer need obtain new OCI card when they acquire a new passport.
• The government will introduce a new web-based system wherein some OCI cardholders will be required to upload copies of their passports within three months from the date of issuance. This will be required each time a new passport is obtained up to the age of 20 and once after reaching the age of 50.
• OCI cardholders who have their OCI card based on a marriage to an Indian national will have to (1) upload a copy of each new passport (2) provide a declaration that their marriage remains valid each time they obtain a new passport.

Analysis & Comments: Overall, the changes will ease administrative burdens for OCI cardholders, although some will still be required to upload copies of their new passports online. OCI cardholders who have obtained an OCI card because of a marriage to an Indian national will additionally be required to declare that their marriage remains valid each time they receive a new passport. The government has not yet launched the web portal where copies of passports will be uploaded, but is expected to do so soon.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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