[joe1980]

How long is the OCI valid? On our cards it says it has a Lifelong validity, but I don't think so as our Passport numbers are printed along in the OCI cards. So if I renew my Passport, I would get one with a different number and I might not be able to retain the old one with me. So do I have to renew the OCI upon every Passport renewal? Any ideas?

[Thad E Ginathom]

I think you should keep the old passport(s) with you.

[joe1980]

So came across this piece of information regarding OCI validity:

https://www.immihelp.com/nri/overseascitizenshipindia/

The gist is this:

Even though that they say OCI is valid lifelong, for anyone under 21 years of age and over 50 years of age, you will have to apply for new OCI all over again every time you get a new passport if you are under 21 years and once if you are over 50 years of age.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

It seems that spouse-of-Indian PIO conversions are taking an age, like 6, 9, 12 months. Also, some people are being asked to provide all original source documents as per original PIO application, like proving entitlement all over again.

Two years later, and no longer free. But...

PIO-conversion application to OCI issue: five weeks. Wow.

[ringoism]

Originally Posted by joe1980

How long is the OCI valid? On our cards it says it has a Lifelong validity, but I don't think so as our Passport numbers are printed along in the OCI cards. So if I renew my Passport, I would get one with a different number and I might not be able to retain the old one with me. So do I have to renew the OCI upon every Passport renewal? Any ideas?

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I think you should keep the old passport(s) with you.

Originally Posted by joe1980

So came across this piece of information regarding OCI validity:

https://www.immihelp.com/nri/overseascitizenshipindia/

The gist is this:

Even though that they say OCI is valid lifelong, for anyone under 21 years of age and over 50 years of age, you will have to apply for new OCI all over again every time you get a new passport if you are under 21 years and once if you are over 50 years of age.

I too had understood that the OCI had to be re-generated after the age of fifty, but a staff member of the External Affairs Min. (formerly posted Azerbaijan, headed for Bahrain, cousin of a friend here), says it is not necessary, that it is indeed good for life, that one only need carry their old passport with the OCI in it, once renewing a passport.

Can anyone confirm / deny this (I'm 49 and wondering whether I should be doing something)?

And if I DO have to re-apply, when is that "once" post-50 renewal to be done? If I had just turned 50 and had to travel outside the country for whatever reason, is this to say I wouldn't be let back in without a fresh OCI? Do I have to start the process a day after my birthday, and hope it'll be processed soon enough that it wouldn't interfere with travel plans?

-Eric

[asinghal]

Can anyone confirm / deny this (I'm 49 and wondering whether I should be doing something)?

-Eric

Technically , younger than 20 and older than 50 needs a new OCI after every passport renewal. In practice, carrying old passport is enough. In case you are worried apply for new OCI, and carry the acknowledgement with you. From many folks I know, the immigration folks do not bother. Actually for my daughter, the immigration officer asked why you even applied.

[Samurai]

My son will turn 18 in couple months, and I will have to change his into adult passport. I think I will visit the FRRO after that just to clear things up. If they simply endorse the new passport number to the OCI, that would be great.

[asinghal]

Originally Posted by Samurai

My son will turn 18 in couple months, and I will have to change his into adult passport. I think I will visit the FRRO after that just to clear things up. If they simply endorse the new passport number to the OCI, that would be great.

There is no concept of endorsing new PP number on OCI, its basically new OCI.
While applying for new OCI, you keep your old OCI.

Also, what do you mean get "an adult" passport. You can wait till it expires. And next time you will get a 10 year US passport.

Again, not critical to get new OCI with new passport if you carry the old passport with you.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by asinghal

Also, what do you mean get "an adult" passport. You can wait till it expires. And next time you will get a 10 year US passport.

He passport was renewed at 15, so he has a child passport (5 years). The adult (10 year) passport is available only after 16.

[Samurai]

Two OCI related queries:

1) My son renewed his passport recently, now he has adult passport. Do we need to inform/update his OCI at FRRO? This link says yes. But it is not a government website. I found OCI miscellaneous service, will try that.

2) We are trying to apply for learning license at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in site. Do OCI applicants pick Application For Foreigner Licence(LL) - Foreigners (But not Diplomats) category or just apply as Indian?

[amtak]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Two OCI related queries:

1) My son renewed his passport recently, now he has adult passport. Do we need to inform/update his OCI at FRRO? This link says yes. But it is not a government website. I found OCI miscellaneous service, will try that.

2) We are trying to apply for learning license at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in site. Do OCI applicants pick Application For Foreigner Licence(LL) - Foreigners (But not Diplomats) category or just apply as Indian?

For 1 - OCI is co-terminus with the passport. Since he now has a new passport, the OCI needs to be updated to match with the details of the new passport. As a cardinal rule, any change in address/change of passport needs to be updated with the FRRO. The reason being, since your son is a foreign national, in cases of emergencies, consulates seek data from FRRO about their citizens and contacts them accordingly. So, it is advisable to keep the details up to date.

For 2 - Select Foreigners (but not Diplomats) category. His primary nationality is American. He is an OCI, but not a full fledged citizen of India.

PS: Another thing that you will have to consider soon is that India and USA do not have a SSA, so every-time when your son changes his job, he cannot withdraw his PF as he'll be treated as an international worker.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Two OCI related queries:

1) My son renewed his passport recently, now he has adult passport. Do we need to inform/update his OCI at FRRO? This link says yes. But it is not a government website. I found OCI miscellaneous service, will try that.

2) We are trying to apply for learning license at sarathi.parivahan.gov.in site. Do OCI applicants pick Application For Foreigner Licence(LL) - Foreigners (But not Diplomats) category or just apply as Indian?

1: No need, carry the passport which was endorsed in the OCI card along with you

Edit - quote from FAQhttps://mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/FAQOCIM...s_25042017.pdf

Whether OCI documents have to be re-issued each time a new passport is taken?

OCI registration certificate have to be got re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age and once after completion of 50 years of age in view of biological changes in face of the applicant.
Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate is not mandatory each time a new passport is issued between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to obtain new set of OCI documents, he/she can apply for the same. If the OCI card is issued at the age of 50 years, there is no need for re-issuance of OCI.

2: Apply as an Indian and use the Aadhar card

[Samurai]

He is 18 years old, so OCI has to be re-issued I think. I tried to apply online, it took me on a ride and it somehow assumed I am applying for a fresh OCI. Some fields are really confusing.

Now it wants me to upload his PIO instead of OCI. I will retry some other day.

[s4ch]

Originally Posted by amtak

For 1 - OCI is co-terminus with the passport. Since he now has a new passport, the OCI needs to be updated to match with the details of the new passport. As a cardinal rule, any change in address/change of passport needs to be updated with the FRRO. The reason being, since your son is a foreign national, in cases of emergencies, consulates seek data from FRRO about their citizens and contacts them accordingly. So, it is advisable to keep the details up to date.

Sorry but this is not correct. I have renewed my passport and travelled many times using my OCI that mentions previous passport details. I do always carry my previous passport but have NEVER been asked to show it.

The only time an OCI may need to be renewed is as mentioned below, even then I know several people who have travelled back and forth many times below 20 / above 50 with renewed passports and never had an issue.

Originally Posted by ajmat

Edit - quote from FAQhttps://mha.gov.in/PDF_Other/FAQOCIM...s_25042017.pdf

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by s4ch

Sorry but this is not correct. I have renewed my passport and travelled many times using my OCI that mentions previous passport details. I do always carry my previous passport but have NEVER been asked to show it.

The only time an OCI may need to be renewed is as mentioned below, even then I know several people who have travelled back and forth many times below 20 / above 50 with renewed passports and never had an issue.

Corrects, its too much paperwork, whenI had to report to the police, before an FRO was set up, they merely said, carry the old passport.

Since everything is integrated on line, its not an issue.