Heres Why OCI Card Holders Can Heave A Sigh Of Relief

According to a government notification, people of Indian diaspora and of Indian origin who have Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards are no longer mandated to carry their expired and old passports while travelling to India, as required earlier.

This step was taken to ease the transportation of those having an OCI card, said the Indian Mission in the US, in a press release last week. It has been decided that the &ldquotimeline for re issuance of OCI cards in r/o OCI card holders, who may be required to get their OCI card reissued has been extended until 31st December 2021,&rdquo the press release stated.

The statement also added that the &ldquorequirement of carrying old and new passports along with the OCI card has been done away. Henceforth, the OCI card holders traveling on the strength of their existing OCI card bearing old passport number are not required to carry their old passport. However, carrying a new passport is mandatory.&rdquo

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OCI card is issued to those people who are of Indian origin. Citizens having this card can get all the benefits as that of an Indian national, except that they cannot vote, buy agricultural land and cannot avail of government services. They also do not need a visa to travel to India. 

The OCI card also comes with several perks like multi entry, multi purpose, life-long visa for visiting India. 

Although, those who are below 20 years or above 50 need to renew their OCI card every time they have their passport renewed.