OCI rules are looser, but the checks are stricter

India’s OCI rules now let eligible applicants file from inside the country without proving a 6-month stay first. The change, effective in April 2026, also expands eligibility to some fifth- and sixth-generation Indian-origin people in Sri Lanka and moves more of the process online.

The Bureau of Immigration has paired the easier entry path with tighter compliance. OCI holders now need a mandatory digital e-FRRO update when entering India and passport details must be updated online after renewal.

Who feels the change

Foreign spouses, children and other eligible family members can benefit from the removed stay rule, which matters for shorter trips and faster filings. Sixth-generation Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka now have a clearer route to OCI status, using community records or Sri Lankan government certificates.

For current OCI holders, the fine print matters. Missing the passport-update deadline can trigger a $25 penalty and airlines may refuse boarding if the e-Arrival Card isn’t complete.

What to file and when

OCI holders should update passport details within 3 months of renewal. The late fee is $25. Other common charges include $25 for reissue after certain details change or at age 20, $100 for a lost card, ₹15,000 for new registration inside India and $275 overseas.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also shifted OCI lifecycle management online and PIO-to-OCI updates ended in late April, so those cases now need fresh applications. Read our full India guide for the complete picture.