New Delhi / Toronto ( Gurpreet/ Rajeev Sharma) : The Government of India has announced updated regulations for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) applications, effective 2025, aimed at streamlining the process and ensuring the continued validity of travel documents for individuals of Indian origin.
As of 2025, all OCI applications and service requests must be submitted online through the official portal ociservices.gov.in. Applicants are required to upload necessary documents, photographs, and signatures, and then submit them, along with fees, to an authorized agency such as BLS International for verification.
OCI cardholders are required to re-issue their card once after turning 20 to update facial features. This ensures biometric data remains accurate and compliant with government records.
Additionally, the government has extended the deadline for converting PIO (Person of Indian Origin) cards to OCI cards to December 31, 2025. While PIO cards will remain valid for travel when presented with a foreign passport until the deadline, they will no longer be accepted afterward. Holders are encouraged to complete the conversion process promptly to avoid travel disruptions.
Applicants who previously held Indian citizenship must also provide a Renunciation Certificate as part of the application process. The government urges all OCI and PIO cardholders to comply with the new rules and deadlines to ensure uninterrupted access to OCI benefits and smooth travel to India.
