Embassy of India

FAQ On OCI Related Matters

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: I have lost my physical OCI booklet issued before commencement of eOCI.

A: You can simply generate and download your digital e-OCI Card to your mobile device as detailed in https://ociservices.gov.in. Once successfully generated and downloaded, you are no longer required to carry the physical booklet while traveling. If your registration details or passport also need updating, please also visit https://ociservices.gov.in.

Q: Do I need to renew my OCI card after turning 20 or 50 years of age?

A: No. Physical card renewals are no longer required. You only need to upload your updated passport particulars online through the OCI Services Portal once you receive a new passport.

Q: What is the mandatory travel requirement prior to departure?

A: Digital e-Arrival Card: All OCI cardholders traveling to India must submit a digital e-Arrival Card within 72 hours prior to landing. Physical disembarkation cards are no longer accepted.

*Where to apply: Submit your details via the Indian Visa Online Portal at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival

Q: Is a Surrender Certificate mandatory before applying for an OCI Card?

A: Yes. A Surrender Certificate is compulsory.

Q: Am I eligible for an OCI card if my parents were born in undivided India but briefly held Pakistani citizenship after partition before moving to the US?

A: No. If an applicant, or their parents or grandparents, have ever held citizenship in Pakistan or Bangladesh, they are strictly ineligible for an OCI card.

Q: I am of Indian origin OCI holder, but my spouse is a foreign national of non-Indian origin. Are they eligible for an OCI Card? What about our children?

A: Spouse: Yes. The foreign-origin spouse of an Indian citizen or an OCI cardholder (registered under Section 7A) is eligible if the marriage has been registered and has subsisted continuously for at least two years immediately preceding the application.

Minor Children: Yes. Minor children are eligible if both parents are citizens of India, or if at least one parent is an Indian citizen.

Q: Are foreign military personnel or civil Ministry of Defence (MoD) employees of Indian origin eligible?

A: No. Foreign military personnel (either active duty or retired), individuals who have previously served in a foreign military organization, and civil government servants working for a foreign Ministry of Defence (such as IT engineers or civil contractors) are strictly ineligible for an OCI card.

Q: Are Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards still valid?

A: No. The PIO card scheme was completely decommissioned on December 31, 2025. PIO cards are no longer accepted at immigration. All legacy PIO holders must apply online to transition to an OCI card.

Q: I am an OCI cardholder and have recently joined a foreign military/police force. Can I still travel to India using my OCI card?

A: No, you cannot travel to India using your OCI card once you have joined a foreign military or police service. According to Government of India regulations, serving or retired foreign military and police personnel are not eligible to hold or use an OCI card. Since your eligibility status has changed, traveling on your OCI card could lead to major complications or denial of entry at Indian immigration.

To ensure you remain in full compliance with the law, please take the following steps:

1. Renounce your OCI card: You will need to formally surrender and renounce your OCI card through the official OCI portal (ociservices.gov.in) or at the Embassy.
   
   
2. Apply for a Regular Visa: Once your OCI card is renounced, you will need to apply for a standard Indian visa to travel to India. (Please note that because of your military/police status, your visa application may require additional processing time and documentation).

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