In April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made several updates to the rules for obtaining an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. This follows the passing of the final deadline for converting Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to OCI cards on 31 December 2025.
Eligible foreign nationals are no longer required to be resident in India for six months before submitting an OCI card application.
Furthermore, OCI cardholders who obtain a new passport must update their passport details on the OCI portal within three months of the issuance of the new passport. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of USD 25.
Finally, a revised fee structure has been implemented:
- New application: USD 275;
- Reissuance of OCI card with change of details: USD 25;
- Reissuance of OCI card at age 20: USD 25;
- Replacement of lost OCI card: USD 100;
- Renunciation of OCI card: USD 25.
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.