India Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card

Renewal

First renewal after

0 months

Subsequent cycle

0 months

Renewal fee

$25USDEURGBPCADAUDINRAEDTHBSGDBRLMXNZAR

Requirements

The OCI card itself is lifelong and does not expire. However, reissuance is mandatory (a) each time a new foreign passport is issued, until the cardholder turns 20; (b) once between the ages of 50 and 55 to update the photograph. Reissuance requires the new foreign passport, current OCI card, and payment of the reissuance fee. No income or residence conditions apply.

Tax Residency

Trigger

182 days/year of presence

Taxation scope

Worldwide income

Exit-tax country

No

Health Insurance

Mandatory

No

Family Specifics

Spouse work rights

Spouses of OCI cardholders who are themselves OCI holders have full work rights in the private sector on par with NRI nationals. A foreign spouse who has not yet obtained their own OCI card requires a separate long-term visa for extended stays.

Child school enrolment

OCI cardholder children are entitled to enrol in Indian schools and universities on par with NRI students, with access to NRI quota seats where applicable.

Parent inclusion

Not eligible

Sibling inclusion

Not eligible

Gotchas — Things to Watch For

• ⚠OCI is not dual citizenship — India does not allow dual citizenship. The card confers residency and economic rights but the holder remains solely a citizen of their foreign country.
• ⚠Agricultural land and plantation property cannot be purchased by OCI holders, even if they can afford to do so; this restriction has no exemption pathway.
• ⚠The OCI card must be reissued every time a new foreign passport is issued until the holder turns 20, and once more between ages 50–55. Failure to update can invalidate travel.
• ⚠Any change in foreign nationality (e.g., naturalising in a third country) after OCI registration must be reported; the card must be surrendered and a new one obtained.
• ⚠Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh — including descendants — are categorically ineligible regardless of prior Indian origin.
• ⚠Spending 182+ days in India in a financial year triggers Indian tax residency and worldwide income taxation; OCI holders who spend significant time in India should take specialist tax advice.
• ⚠OCI holders cannot hold most Central or State government positions, including judicial and constitutional roles.
• ⚠The two-year marriage requirement for spousal applicants is strictly applied; marriage certificates and evidence of the relationship's genuineness are scrutinised.

What This Visa Does NOT Allow

• ×Voting in Indian national, state, or local elections
• ×Standing as a candidate in any Indian election
• ×Holding most Central or State Government positions (civil service, police, military, judicial, constitutional offices)
• ×Purchasing agricultural land, farm land, or plantation property anywhere in India
• ×Acquiring Indian citizenship solely on the basis of OCI card tenure (citizenship requires a separate naturalisation process under the Citizenship Act, and India's policy does not provide a clear naturalisation route for OCI holders)

Recent Legislative Changes

• 2021-07-04

  The Government of India amended OCI regulations to require OCI cardholders to obtain prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs for certain activities including research, missionary work, journalism, and mountaineering in protected areas. Ordinary residence, tourism, employment in the private sector, and study were unaffected.source ↗

Frequently Asked Questions