Key Points
- OCI cardholders are permitted to enter, work, and reside in India indefinitely.
- Previously, travelers whose OCI cards showed an expired passport number were required to travel with both their expired passport and current passport.
- OCI Cardholders are now allowed to travel with just their OCI card and current passport.
- This change is effective immediately.
Overview
The Embassy of India in Washington, DC recently issued a statement that the requirement of carrying both old and new passports for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders whose OCI cards bear their old passport number is no longer in effect. OCI cardholders may now travel to and enter India with just their OCI card and current passport.
What Are the Changes?
Until now, OCI cardholders who obtained a new passport with a number that is different from their original passport, and therefore not shown on their OCI card, were required to travel with both the old passport and their current passport. The Indian government has recently changed this requirement so that OCI cardholders only need to travel with their OCI card and current passport.
Looking Ahead
These changes are intended to make traveling to India simpler for OCI cardholders. However, travelers should be aware that due to the quickly applied change, it is possible that some customs officials may be unaware of this policy update and could still request to see the traveler’s old passport with the number that matches their OCI card.
