On December 19, 2019 the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), relaxed certain guidelines for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) as some Indian overseas citizens faced issues in travelling to the home country. The relaxation is for reissuing of passport for those people aged below 20 years and those aged above 50 years. The relaxation which is temporary has been granted till June 30, 2020.
New Guidelines:
i.OCI card holder below the age of 20: The card holder below 20 years of age who has not got his/her OCI card reissued on change of passport, can travel with the strength of existing OCI card bearing old passport no. He/ She is also subjected to the condition that along with new passport, old passport should also be carried as mentioned in the OCI card.
ii.OCI card holder above the age of 50: The card holder below 50 years of age, who got passport renewed but not got reissued OCI card on the renewed passport, can travel on the strength of existing OCI card along with new and old passport till June 30, 2020.
Actual Guidelines Since 2005:
- As per the guidelines for OCI since 2005, the OCI card should be renewed when a new passport is acquired by the cardholder up to the age of 20 years.
- For a person above 50 years the card should be reissued on acquiring a new passport.
- Reissuance is not necessary each time a passport is issued for people aged between 21 and 50 years.
About Ministry of External Affairs:
Founded- 2 September 1946.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Union Minister- Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Minister of State(MoS)- Vellamvelly Muraleedharan.
