The Central Government may, subject to such conditions and restrictions, as may be prescribed, on an application made in this behalf, register as Overseas Citizen of India cardholder any person of full age and capacity;
- who is a citizen of another country, but Was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after, the commencement of the Constitution; OR
- who is a citizen of another country, but was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution; OR
- who is a citizen of another country, but belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August, 1947; OR
- who is a child or a grand-child or a great grandchild of such a citizen; OR
- a person, who is a minor child of a person mentioned in the above 4 criterion; OR
- a person, who is a minor child, and whose both parents are citizens of India; OR
- a person, who is a minor child, and whose one of the parents is a citizen of India; OR
- spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section; OR
- spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder registered under section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section.Note: Such spouse shall be subjected to prior security clearance from a competent authority in India:
20 years of age or younger :
OCI registration certificate and ‘U’ Visa must be RE-ISSUED EACH TIME A NEW PASSPORT is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age in view of biological changes in face of the applicant.
21 to 49 years of age :
Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate and ‘U’ Visa is NOT mandatory, each time a new passport is issued between21-49 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to avail this service, he / she can request re-issue of the OCI document to update the new passport number. It is also sufficient if the cardholder carries the OCI registration certificate, old passport carrying the ‘U’ visa and the current valid Passport while travelling to India.
50 years of age or older :
For existing OCI registration certificate and ‘U’ Visa holders who had their documents issued before 50 years of age, OCI documents must be re-issued ONCE after the issuance of a new passport after completing 50 years of age in view of biological changes in face of the applicant.
If the OCI card is issued for the first time after the age of 50 years, then there is no need for re-issuance of OCI. It is also sufficient if the cardholder carries the OCI registration certificate, old passport carrying the ‘U’ visa and thecurrent valid Passport while travelling to India.
