New Rules for OCI (Overseas Citizen Of India)

Here is a consolidated list of the major new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) rules introduced under the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 (notified 30 April 2026 by the Ministry of Home Affairs, effective ~1 May 2026, with full digital e-OCI rollout in June–July 2026). 

Key Changes in OCI Rules

Fully digital / online applications

1. 
   All OCI registration, re-issue, and renunciation applications must be filed electronically on the official portal: https://ociservices.gov.in.
   Duplicate paperwork and hybrid (online + physical) processes have been eliminated. 

Introduction of e-OCI (electronic OCI)

1. New applicants receive only a digital e-OCI (from ~8 July 2026). 
   • Physical cards are optional (available on request) and no longer required for travel or immigration. 
   • Existing physical OCI cards remain fully valid. 
   • e-OCI + valid foreign passport is sufficient for entry into India. 

Removal of the 6-month continuous stay rule

1. Applicants above 12 years no longer need to complete a continuous six-month stay in India before applying. 

Standardized fees

1. Fresh OCI application: USD 275 (or local currency equivalent; previously Rs 15,000 for applications from within India). 
2. Change of particulars / re-issuance / late passport update: USD 25. 
3. Lost or damaged card: USD 100. 

Passport update requirement (with penalty)

1. OCI holders must update new passport details online within 90 days / 3 months of receiving a new passport.
   Failure attracts a USD 25 penalty.
   The first passport update after turning 20 requires a one-time biometric verification. 

Simplified re-issuance rules

1. Mandatory physical re-issuance at ages 20 and 50 has been removed.
   Online passport updates are now sufficient in most cases. Only a one-time re-issue/biometric capture is required for the first passport issued after age 20. 

Biometric consent

Applicants must consent to sharing biometric data for linkage with India’s Fast Track Immigration (FTI) programmes. 

1. Digital cancellation powers
   Authorities can invalidate OCI status in electronic records even if the physical card is not surrendered. 
2. Stricter cancellation grounds
   OCI registration is liable for cancellation if the holder is:
   • Sentenced to imprisonment of 2 years or more, or 
   • Charge-sheeted for an offence punishable with 7 years or more. 

Renunciation process

Must be done electronically on the portal. If a physical card was issued, it must be surrendered. An electronic acknowledgement is issued. 

PIO (Person of Indian Origin) scheme fully discontinued

1. The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme has been scrapped. All existing PIO cardholders have been automatically converted to OCI status. 

Document validity requirements

1. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of submission. 
2. Relevant visa must be valid for at least 3 months. 

Other notable points

1. Electronic registers of all OCI holders are maintained. 
2. Appeal/revision mechanisms have been strengthened (higher authority review). 
3. Some eligibility expansions (e.g., 5th- and 6th-generation Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka). 
4. Faster processing expected (~15 working days for straightforward digital applications). 
5. Integration with Fast Track Immigration e-gates. 

Official source: Ministry of Home Affairs notification G.S.R. 323(E) dated 30 April 2026 (Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026).