Planning to apply for OCI? Here's what the new portal brings for the Indian diaspora

The Indian government has launched an upgraded Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal to offer a more streamlined, secure and user-friendly experience for millions of people of Indian origin living overseas. The revamped platform aims to simplify the application process and resolve earlier challenges.

Indian government has launched revamped Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) portal in a bid to simplify the registration process. Credit: FatCamera/Getty Images

When Melbourne-based Indira Laisram applied for an OCI card a few years ago, she faced several hurdles.

Indira Laisram is an OCI cardholder. Credit: Supplied by Indira Laisram

“The most difficult part was navigating the OCI website. I had to upload my details multiple times, and one of the biggest challenges was uploading a photo that had to meet very specific requirements,” she recalled.

Reena Anita Rana had a similar experience but is now optimistic that things are changing for the better. She believes the upgraded portal will make the application process much easier and encourage more people to apply.

Reena Anita Rana is an OCI cardholder. Credit: Supplied by Reena Anita Rana

“With improved accessibility and better technology, I’m hopeful that more people will come forward to apply. I remember a time when many were looking for someone else to do it for them, but things are definitely getting better now,” she said.

To address such concerns, the Indian government has launched a revamped OCI portal designed to streamline the process for applicants worldwide.

In an official statement, the government said, “It is important to ensure that they face no inconvenience when visiting or staying in India.”

“The new portal has been developed in response to rapid technological advancements over the past decade and feedback from OCI cardholders. It addresses earlier challenges and delivers a smoother, more user-friendly experience,” the statement added.

The new OCI portal is said to offer several user-friendly features. Credit: photosindia/Getty Images

The updated platform is expected to offer enhanced functionality, stronger security, and an intuitive design to support the needs of over 5 million existing OCI cardholders and those applying in the future, it further added.

The portal will include several user-friendly features, including auto-filled profile details, a dashboard for tracking applications, seamless navigation, and document categorisation based on application type.

It will also allow edits before submission, displays eligibility criteria, includes an integrated FAQ, provides reminders to verify information, and features an in-built tool to crop photos and signatures.

The new OCI portal aims to deliver improved services for over five million existing OCI cardholders as well as new applicants. Source: Moment RF / Constantine Johnny/Getty Images

The existing OCI Services portal was developed in 2013 and is currently operational in over 180 Indian missions abroad as well as 12 Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), processing approximately 2000 applications per day.

An OCI card holder is a person of Indian heritage, origin, or descent, or someone who was previously an Indian citizen before acquiring foreign nationality and holding a foreign passport.

An OCI cardholder enjoys several benefits including multiple entries and can also stay in India for extended periods without needing to notify the authorities.

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