India: New OCI Rules Bring Broader Eligibility but Stricter Compliance Measures
April 29, 2026
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has overhauled the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) program after more than a decade. According to the revised rules:
- Eligible foreign nationals can apply for an OCI Card without completing six months of stay in India, as previously required. If they have a valid long-term visa and required documents, they can submit the application soon after arrival in India. This is expected to reduce administrative delays and improve mobility.
- There is a new fine of USD 25 (or equivalent in local currency) for those who do not update their passport details on the OCI portal within three months of issuance of a new passport. This adds a new compliance requirement for all OCI Card holders regarding passport updates.
- Fifth- and sixth-generation Indian Origin Tamils in Sri Lanka are now eligible for an OCI Card, whereas this was previously limited to fourth-generation descendants. This allows a broader group of Sri Lankan diaspora to apply, particularly those from communities with limited historical documentation.
These changes are linked to upgraded biometric verification systems, which will support faster “e-gate” immigration processing at Indian airports by ensuring real-time matching of passport and OCI data.
Fragomen in India is Fragomen Immigration Services India (Pvt) Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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