Indian citizens living abroad can now breathe a sigh of relief as the government has introduced a new process for renewing their Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards when they receive a new passport. The OCI card is a vital document for Indians living abroad as it gives them many benefits, including visa-free travel to India and the ability to work and study in the country without needing a separate visa.
Previously, OCI cardholders had to go through a cumbersome process of getting their OCI cards re-issued whenever they got a new passport. This involved submitting their old passport with the OCI sticker, along with the new passport, to the Indian mission or consulate in their country of residence. The process could take weeks, if not months, causing inconveniences and delays for many OCI cardholders.
The new process, which was introduced by the Ministry of External Affairs, now allows OCI cardholders to apply for re-issuance of their OCI cards online through the government’s official website. This streamlined process is a welcome change for many OCI cardholders who have long been frustrated by the previous cumbersome process.
To apply for OCI card re-issuance online, OCI cardholders simply need to create an account on the government’s website and fill in the required details. They will need to upload scanned copies of their old passport with the OCI sticker, their new passport, a photograph, and a signature. Once the application is submitted, OCI cardholders can track the status of their application online and will receive their new OCI card by mail once it is processed.
This new process has been lauded by many OCI cardholders, who have found it to be much more convenient and efficient than the previous method. “I recently got a new passport and was dreading the process of getting my OCI card re-issued, but the online process was so easy and hassle-free,” said Ravi, an OCI cardholder living in the United States. “I was amazed at how quickly I received my new OCI card in the mail.”
The new process has also been praised by Indian missions and consulates abroad, who have seen a significant decrease in the number of applications for OCI card re-issuance since the online process was introduced. “The online process has made our work much easier and has helped us serve OCI cardholders more efficiently,” said Anjali Sharma, a consular officer at the Indian consulate in Dubai. “We have received positive feedback from many OCI cardholders who have used the new online system.”
In addition to the new online process for OCI card re-issuance, the Ministry of External Affairs has also introduced other measures to make life easier for Indian citizens living abroad. This includes the introduction of e-visa services for OCI cardholders, which allows them to apply for an electronic visa to travel to India without the need to visit a consulate or embassy in person.
Overall, the new process for OCI card re-issuance has been well-received by Indian citizens living abroad, who have long been clamoring for a simpler and more efficient way to renew their OCI cards. The government’s efforts to streamline processes and improve services for Indian citizens living abroad are a positive step forward and bode well for the future of the Indian diaspora.
