Quick Reference Advisory for OCI Applicants

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Service	Who should apply
*Passport Updation* (Suffix-U26)	OCI cardholders who: • Are *below 20 years of age* and have obtained a new passport. → OCI must be updated *each time* a new passport is issued until age 20. • Are *50 years or older* and have obtained a new passport after turning 50. → OCI must be *updated once* after the new passport issued after age 50. *Important (Age 20–50):* • If a new passport is issued after turning 20, the applicant must apply for *OCI re-issue once*. • After this re-issue, no further action is required until age 50, provided there is no change in personal particulars.
*OCI Re-issue* (Suffix- M26)	OCI cardholders who: • Have obtained a *new passport after turning 20* and have not completed the one-time re-issue. • Have *change in personal particulars, such as: – Name – Nationality – Date of birth – Parent’s name, etc. • Have a lost, stolen, or damaged OCI card*.
*Fresh/New OCI* (Suffix-N26)	Foreign nationals applying for OCI *for the first time, including: Adults:* • Previously held Indian passport and acquired foreign citizenship. • Foreign citizens by birth claiming OCI through parents/grandparents. *Minors:* • Children of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders. *Foreign spouse applicants:* • Spouse of Indian citizen or OCI cardholder (subject to eligibility).

Feature	Passport Updation	OCI Re-issue	Fresh OCI
Purpose	Update passport details in the OCI database	Issue new OCI card	First-time OCI
Application mode	Online only	Hybrid (Online + physical submission)	Hybrid (Online + physical submission)
Fee	No fee	Applicable	Applicable
Physical submission	Not required	Through VFS	Through VFS
Original OCI submission	Not required	Required (except cases where OCI is lost)	Not applicable
Processing time*	6–7 weeks	6–7 weeks	5–6 weeks

*Processing time counted from acknowledgment by the concerned Mission/Post.

Travel guidance

Passport updation cases

Travel to India is permitted after the application is acknowledged, using:

In re-issue cases:

If urgent travel is required while re-issue is under process:

Processing time is normally 6–7 weeks.

Most delays occur because:

Incomplete applications may be held by VFS for up to 21 days.
After this period, the application is returned.

Applicants are advised to: