OCI cardholders can travel to India while passport updates are pending, the Consulate clarifies.
OCI cardholders can travel to and from India while their passport updates are being processed, the Indian consulate in Vancouver confirms.
The Consulate General of India in Vancouver has confirmed that Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders can continue to travel to and from India while their passport information is being updated in the online system.
The clarification, given on October 14, 2026, addresses a problem for OCI cardholders who obtain a new passport and must update their existing OCI registration.
https://tinyurl.com/uswtnmzd
OCI Passport Update Rules:
OCI cardholders must update their passport information in their OCI records, including e-OCI registration, whenever a new passport is issued, regardless of age. They must complete the update within three months of the passport being issued.
The Vancouver consulate has now confirmed that there are no travel restrictions between filing a passport update application and obtaining final acknowledgment of their documents through the online system.
This allows OCI cardholders more flexibility when organizing travels, especially if their passport information is still being processed close to the departure date. 
https://travunited.com/visas/in
What OCI cardholders Should Know
Updated deadline: Within three months after acquiring a new passport.
Who has to comply: All OCI cardholders, regardless of age.
Travel during processing: According to the clarification, you may travel to and from India while your passport update application is pending.
The explanation emphasizes a crucial distinction: while maintaining OCI passport information up to date is still required, the pending administrative process does not preclude travel.
Travunited Take:
We believe that this is an extremely important clarification for OCI cardholders, as it removes doubt about pending passport changes. Travelers should still submit changes and keep their application acknowledgment.
