OCI Card Renewal Process
When Do You Need to Renew?
- Each time a new passport is issued, up to age 20
- Once after turning 50 years of age
- Change in personal details (name, father's name, nationality)
- Change of address, occupation, or contact details
- Loss or damage of the OCI registration certificate
- Renunciation of OCI Card
Gratis (Free) vs. Chargeable Renewal
| Feature | Gratis Service | Chargeable Service |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | Free | US $275 (standard fee) |
| VFS visit required | No — fully online | Yes — in-person appointment at VFS |
| New OCI card issued | No — database updated only | Yes — new physical card |
| When applicable | Passport update (most cases), address/contact changes | Personal details changes, loss/damage, renunciation |
Passport update after age 20: The system automatically classifies passport updates after age 20 as chargeable, even though most people expect it to be free.
Digital Images Required Before Starting
Before beginning the OCI renewal process, have these ready:
| Image | Dimensions | Max Size |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant photo | Square (1:1), 200–1500px | 500 KB |
| Signature image | 3:1 ratio, min 200×67px, max 1500×500px | 500 KB |
| Supporting documents | PDF format | 1000 KB per document |
How to Start the Renewal
- Visit ociservices.gov.in
- Click OCI Miscellaneous Services
- The system will determine whether your renewal is Gratis or Chargeable
- For Gratis: complete entirely online — no VFS visit, no fee, no new card issued
- For Chargeable: book a VFS appointment, pay the fee, submit documents in person
Also see: OCI photo specifications → | OCI vs PIO card comparison →
