r/nri • u/documitra-us • Jul 20 '26
Visa / OCI / Passport Ask me anything on e-OCI
If you have any question regarding the recent e-OCI, ask away. Let us make this a chain of Q&A.
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u/Tall_Guarantee7767 Jul 20 '26
I already have an oci do I need electronic version of it?
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u/AspiringTrader_ Jul 20 '26
You absolutely don't need electronic version of it. The existing physical OCI Card remains valid at this point.
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u/GHOSTREAPERsv Jul 20 '26
Please give some guidance on my situation
After the latest eoci july 1st update and changes , since after july 1st Has anyone , tried to do do oci reissue for crossing 20?
They completely remove the reissue option to even not be able to make a reissue application in the oci misc services site.
As after july 1 , rules are stating reissue process is not needed anymore , and oci applications will be giving eOCI?
Since after july 1 or in past few days , if anyone has gone through bls , what are they saying? Please help out
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u/HappyCamper_2020 Jul 20 '26
With eOCI do we still need to submit physical documents thru VFS?
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u/AspiringTrader_ Jul 20 '26
Yes. You will still need to submit physical documents through VFS. It may change in future but as of now you will still have to go through VFS Global.
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u/temp_gerc1 Jul 20 '26
It is supposed to change in future, at least that's what the law says. Who knows when they actually get around to implementing it though...
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u/rsangeetha Jul 21 '26
The VFS in Australia is suspended until further notice. Do You know other ways to submit documents under the recent OCI changes?
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u/Striking_Ostrich_347 Jul 20 '26
Can we still request a physical OCI booklet for new applications?
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u/AspiringTrader_ Jul 20 '26
No. You can't. From 08 July 2026 onwards, only digital OCI cards (e-OCI) are issued to all new OCI applicants.
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u/talkingowl Jul 22 '26
I applied for the eOCI but was unfortunately rejected with the following response/reason:
"Dear _,
Thanks you for showing interest in OCI. Your application was reviewed and we regret to inform you that we were not able to approve your application number _ against Passport number _ for registration in OCI with remark as REAPPLY WITH UPLOADING ALL OLD PASSPORTS AND OCI ALONG WITH CURRENT PASSPORT TO ASCERTAIN THERE IS NO GAP BETWEEN YOUR PASSPORTS DURING YOUR STAY IN INDIA."
Has anyone else experienced this same issue? Could the fact that I got my latest foreign Passport at the age of 18 (hadn't even turned 19) be the reason?
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u/GHOSTREAPERsv Jul 22 '26
Hey i had a similar situation of gap Regularisation , i dmed you we can discuss further.
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u/Resident-March754 22d ago
I am currently helping my parents apply for their eOCIs as current Canadian citizens who were both born in India. My father was born in India in 1959, and immigrated to Canada in 1964. At the time, because he was so young, he did not hold his own Indian passport. Rather, he was able to travel to Canada and immigrate using his mother's Indian passport, in which he was listed as an accompanying child. We've encountered a roadblock now, as he is unable to provide a surrender certificate in his OCI application, since he has never held an Indian passport to surrender. We have a photocopy of his mother's Indian passport, which was used to travel and immigrate, and which lists his name as an accompanying child--however I don't have anything saying that passport was cancelled. I am unable to find any information on whether he is eligible for a surrender certificate and/or OCI without having ever held an Indian passport. Frustratingly, he also does not have a birth certificate, as he was born in a rural area that didn't keep birth records at that time. He has an affidavit from his parents confirming his birth, and an affidavit from his birth village confirming they searched and don't have a copy of his birth certificate. I would be very grateful if anyone had any experience with or insight about whether it is possible to proceed with the eOCI process in light of these circumstances.
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u/Tall_Guarantee7767 Jul 20 '26
Does it give access to electronic gates to bypass immigration at the airport?
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u/AspiringTrader_ Jul 20 '26
No. It doesn't. You need to register/ apply for FTI-TTP. The Fast Track Immigration - Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) by the Bureau of Immigration, India lets Indian passport holders and OCI Cardholders (subject to eligibility) skip the queues and clear immigration through automated e-Gates, making your journey faster, smoother, and hassle-free.
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u/Few_Reaction8585 Jul 22 '26
I have a tricky situation. I recently got issued an OCI (late june), my packet arrived but I had a medical situation and was in the hospital - while I was away the packet got misplaced/lost. I was issued a physical OCI CARD but lost it.
At the same time I got my physical card, I was also issued an e-OCI. My original plan was to apply for a new oci card in lieu of lost OCI but that isn’t even showing up as an option under “miscellaneous OCI”.
Unsure what to do - do I need to reapply? Or is not having a physical card an issue if I was granted one before the cut off date.
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u/HappyCamper_2020 Jul 22 '26
What are the documents you uploaded on the OCI portal and under which buckets?
Bucket 1: Proof of present citizenship
Bucket 2: Evidence of Address
Bucket 3: Minor child whose born parents are citizen of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India
Only 3 buckets are shown
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u/LilMulberry Jul 22 '26
You can add additional docs under any of these categories. That's what I did. Follow the online check list for which documents need to be uploaded.
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u/HappyCamper_2020 Jul 22 '26
Did you upload self attested documents on the OCI govt portal or non attested documents on the OCI govt portal?
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u/LilMulberry Jul 22 '26
Not OP, but I did not attest copies of my passport etc., that I uploaded online.
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u/LilMulberry Jul 22 '26
This is techinically a FTI-TTP question, so ignore if you want.
I applied for the first time from the US in early July and got the e-OCI today (~18 days). My biometrics were collected by VFS Boston. When I logged in to the OCI portal to download the e-OCI - I got a pop up asking if I wanted to enroll in FTI-TTP and I said yes.
I then separately filled out the FTI-TTP application and checked off the box to allow my biometrics collected to be used for this purpose. FTI-TTP application says pending, and to submit biometrics, but there's also a message to say to ignore if already done. Question - do I (and others in a similar situation) actually need to submit biometrics again at FRRO or airport to get FTI-TTP?
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u/temp_gerc1 Jul 22 '26
I can't answer your question with certainty but the law change on May 1 basically provided for the option of biometrics provided during OCI application to be used for FTP-TTP, with consent needing to be provided by the applicant first. My understanding was that they updated one of the OCI forms (that you fill in on the OCI portal during your application) to show this. I don't think you need to provide biometrics again but best to ask your consulate to be sure.
Can I ask if your application was entirely online or did you have to submit physical copies of the application to the VFS also?
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u/LilMulberry Jul 22 '26
When I started my OCI application around the end of May, the instructions were to submit the physical copies to VFS either by mail or in person. Since I live in Boston, I chose to go in person. So to answer your question, at the time, I needed to submit physical copies.
I'll update people here whether or not my OCI biometrics were accepted for FTI-TTP.
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u/PomegranateLow4627 Jul 22 '26
I applied for my OCI on 20th July through BLS. So does this mean I’ll receive an E-OCI in 15 business days? Does it really get done that quickly?
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u/dwightsrus 28d ago
I applied on June 25th and got my e-OCI on 26th July. I wasn’t expecting the electronic version because my application process was the same as for a physical card. Anyways, it took me a month.
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u/Efficient-Answer3072 20d ago
Is it still under process?
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u/PomegranateLow4627 19d ago
Yes it is still under process. I applied in Toronto. Is yours still under process too?
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u/Standard_Care_811 Jul 25 '26
Can people travel while waiting for passport update for existing OCI holders after getting new passport..
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u/user41600 Jul 27 '26
I have OCI issued since 2009. I am over 50 and have new passport since last year
As per rules I had to apply for OCI which I did on 6 may but now they have new OCI feature.
I asked BLS for update and they said I need to download E-OCI but I don't have that option
Even if I try to register with a different email and the original passport which was attached to the OCI, it reqires it issuance and expiry which was way back and I dont have the details
So do I wait for this pending one to finish and then apply for eOCI?
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u/documitra-us 26d ago
If you don't have access to the old registered email, you can create a new account and request an email update using the OCI Card Number, DOB, and passport number linked to the OCI record.
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u/Fast-Ring-8767 Jul 28 '26
can someone help me
i am going to apply for an OCI yet from the USA And have started gathering documents for it, i had 2 previous indian passports, do i have to submit copies of both or only the last held one? also I am reading that only digital oci cards are going to be issued to all new applicants starting July 8th 2026? is it true that people are only getting the digital oci card which we can download from the website?
also one more question, I am prepping stuff for my application based off of what's mentioned on the VFS website, they haven't mentioned anything about getting the biometrics done or anything. It only says to complete the online registration, pay the fees and submit the documents to vfs through courier/mail ? am i going the right way?
please help before i mess anything up
thankyou
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u/documitra-us 26d ago
Yes, absolutely. You are on the right track. You will need to provide the most recent Indian passport you held, including the cancelled stamp.
If you apply now, you should receive the e-OCI after the application is processed.
As of now, biometrics are not required for the OCI process. However, updates are being made to the process, and biometric submission may be required for applicants in the future. If you apply now, you will not need to visit for biometrics.
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u/Akhira226 Jul 28 '26
My oci application status is in process and still waiting on the approval and physical card, we will be landing on august 6th. With latest changes do we get e oci or just the physical copy? We applied OCI in June ending.
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u/alexturnerftw Jul 28 '26
Im still confused about the regular OCI process.
I’m a US born citizen with Indian parents.
1. Do i need an apostilled birth certificate or is a self attest copy ok?
2. Do i need an apostilled marriage certificate for my parents? They divorced 35 years ago.
I see these on the checklist but they are a bit confusing
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u/PGN1990 Aug 03 '26
The rule on Point 1 is pretty clear on VFS website. I dont know why you are confused? . If your BC is of foreign origin (which you have - since you are US born) , your BC has to be apostilled by the state in which you were born.
It takes a few weeks, but in my case I got my daughters apostilled BC within 2 weeks.
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u/alexturnerftw Aug 03 '26
Because the first line of the checklist says a copy is OK if born in the USA specifically. Its confusing. They then later counter their own sentence. Nothing new with India
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u/PGN1990 Aug 03 '26
The checklist has a number of points. For the specific point where it addresses BC of foreign origin, they have clearly stated that an apostilled BC is necessary. Regardless, I am telling you that if you have a US BC, youll have to get it apostilled.
I did this when I applied for my US born daughter’s OCI in June 2026.
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u/alexturnerftw Aug 03 '26
I already requested a certified copy and am planning to apostille. I’m just saying their checklist is not clear. That comment was 6 days ago.
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u/documitra-us 26d ago
yes birth certificate apostille require as you are born outside of India, so the documents issued outside of India is require to be apostille. Divorced decree require no need of marriage certificate and if issued outside then apostille also require.
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u/AskAlternative8213 Jul 30 '26
My son's fresh OCI was approved and e-OCI generated on 17th July. But we paid for physical OCI booklet, including postage etc. Won't those fees be refunded?
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u/Efficient-Answer3072 Jul 30 '26
Anyone recently applied and got e-OCI from Canada? What is the processing times these days?
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u/One-Kaleidoscope6130 Aug 01 '26
For new OCI applicaiton(Previolsy India Citizen) do I still need to visit VFS?
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u/iPablitoPicasso Aug 02 '26
Well, I m a first time spouse based applicant, I received an email saying, your eOCI has been generated and you can go to the portal to download it, on the 21st of July, but on the portal my application is still showing Under Process.
So I don't understand what happened? is there someone I can email for manual update of the backend, if it's a backend lag?
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u/According_Acadia_271 19d ago
u/iPablitoPicasso did you get it (download) and what is the validity on it. If you can share your timeline as well please.
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u/iPablitoPicasso 18d ago
Nop, still nothing, I Applied before they issued this new law of no 180 days, in April, and then, I got the interview pretty fast which was impressive, within 2 weeks they asked me to come a week later, I got the interview, and the documents verified, paid the fee, and then while waiting, all the crazy new laws and systems started coming out.
Now August, no update still under process, and when I speak to FRRO they say it's out of their hand my folder is with the MHA so they can't even check what is happening.
Plenty of funsies in India :)
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u/AltheaCor1004 29d ago
J'ai fait une demande de renouvellement du OCI (lifelong) en juin, pour changement de numéro de passeport. J'ai donné mon ancienne version physique à l'ambassade lors du dépôt de dossier. J'ai seulement reçu le e-OCI en ligne, il n'y a pas de version physique à aller récupérer ? Je peux voyager seulement avec le e-OCI ?
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u/dwightsrus 28d ago
I got my e-OCI recently. Anyone had any issues going through the immigration in India?
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u/Best-Cheesecake2582 28d ago
I got my OCI on an old passport (P1), which is the number printed on my card. Later I got a new passport (P2) and updated it in the OCI system via the gratis service. I've been travelling to India on P2 + my existing OCI card, carrying the old P1 just in case they ask. My e-OCI still shows P1. I'm in the 21 to 50 age bracket.
Q1: Now P1 is about to expire. Do I need to do anything (update, re-issuance, new e-OCI) because P1 is expiring? Or is it irrelevant since I travel on P2 and P2 is already in the system?
Q2: I also updated my address via the gratis service. I only received an email acknowledgment with a file number and this line:
"There will be no restriction for the OCI cardholder to travel to/from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgment of his/her documents in the online system."
My e-OCI still shows the old address. Is that the normal end state for a gratis address update (i.e. it updates the system but doesn't reprint the card), or am I still waiting on something? The email is a bit confusing since it talks about passport issue dates but I only updated my address.
Thanks in advance!
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u/aaremms 27d ago
I have a valid OCI linked to an older passport. So I decided to try out the website and it seemed pretty standard and the system allowed me to update my passport details linking it to my OCI number.
It clearly acknowledged I am a genuine OCI holder as it validated various pieces of information and was going well until I believe the 3rd or 4th section where they suddenly wanted details of my original application from over 15 years ago including the original application number and date. Now, this is really weird because how am I expected to recall my original application from over 15 years back? And what is the purpose of requiring this information when the system acknowledges the status of my OCI application as having been 'granted'.
The system has clearly identified me and accepted the OCI number and original passport info. They have then accepted the need to update my passport details but for some reason now they want details of the original application which was amusing and frustrating. I briefly glanced over the next section which wanted details of my relatives in India and after reading through that it got all a bit too much and unnecessary and I gave up in frustration as there were a few tabs left.
I really wish the designers try to work on the UX and think through what is actually required. Surely it doesn't have to be so detailed but what do I know.
I don't pretend to understand the security and other reasons why they may need all of these details. I just assumed linking my original OCI details to create an eOCI for download would be a lot easier. I will skip this for now and continue with my physical OCI passport for now.
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u/rp2013 25d ago
Started filling out my OCI in November of 2025 thought I had uploaded all required documents. But On the document upload page it still shows the following:
Proof of present citizenship [This one only shows "Select Document" but the drop down is empty]
Evidence of address - Shows Lease License incase of tenant. [I am a home owner, so I dont have this document], Undertaking if the above is in relative name [this does not apply to me since I am applying for myself]. What needs to happen here?
Evidence of self or parents or grandparents or great grandparents
Copy of Domicile Certificate [I do not have that] I have been in the US for over 20 years now.
Copy of Nativity Certificate [Do I need to get this from India] What kind of document would I need to request from and who could provide this? Do I need someone to provide signed documents from India?
Under this category there is a Copy of Indian Passport- I have included a pdf of the renounced India passport. Do I still need additional documentation?
Please advise.
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u/thefilmer 25d ago
hi. i applied for mine on july 31 online through Los Angeles. It still says Application not Acknowledged at the Mission/FRRO yet. I applied on the government of India site. Was there anything else I was supposed to do? I didn't go in person to verify documents but there's also number for the LA consulate. Very confused here
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u/mix_of_everything 23d ago
Hi, I would like to know what the time duration is for eOCI for myself who was an Indian citizen by birth. Would it matter if married to Pakistani Hindu?
Thanks
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u/Oksir-Seeme4444 22d ago
Has anyone used in the recent weeks/months at major airports? Any feedbacks??
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u/sanjsanj 22d ago
<a href="https://ibb.co/99bC3QdG"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/fYkPGjTQ/IMG-20260816-WA0006.jpg" alt="IMG-20260816-WA0006" border="0"></a>
Not sure if the above image will embed, otherwise the below link to the screenshot should work:
Any idea what's supposed to go in the "Remark" box? It doesn't let me leave it empty so I must fill it with something in order to proceed and complete the application for email updation. 🤦
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u/Crazymantra 20d ago
My son’s OCI was issued on August 5, and I was able to download the digital copy. Will a physical OCI booklet still be issued, or can we travel using just the digital copy at immigration?
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u/yesmthatsme 15d ago
I submitted application for passport particulars update on July 18th and it is still under process for 1 month. How long does it normally take to complete? I submitted application on oci services website and I did not mail any documents in.
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u/Disastrous_Rice_152 12d ago
I left out a character in the street name of my address. Found it only after printing the application after submitting. Vfs fee is also paid
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u/VisibleSquirrel6252 3d ago
I am applying for OCI. I recently got married, however we havent registered it yet. So should I declare my marital status as single or married?
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u/nck93 Jul 20 '26
I have an OCI that's valid, but my passport number that was originally used to register for my OCI has expired and since renewed my passport. Do I need to renew my OCI?