NEWS: The Union Home Minister launched the e-OCI (Electronic Overseas Citizen of India) Card to provide a fully digital, paperless OCI service for the Indian diaspora.

ABOUT e-OCI

• A digital version of the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card, replacing the physical booklet with a secure electronic credential.
• Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
• Aims to simplify services for over 50 lakh OCI cardholders through paperless and seamless digital processing.

KEY FEATURES

• No OCI booklet re-issue required after obtaining a new passport beyond the age of 20.
• Online passport updates without physical submission or office visits.
• Unique lifelong digital registration number for every OCI holder.
• End-to-end digital workflow for application, document upload, verification, and e-OCI download through the OCI portal.
• Uses Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for faster and more accurate passport verification.
• Enables mobile storage of digital OCI credentials for convenient travel.

BENEFITS

• Lifelong multiple-entry visa for travel to India.
• Exemption from FRRO registration irrespective of the duration of stay.
• Parity with NRIs in economic, educational, and financial matters (except purchase of agricultural/plantation property).
• Eligible to work in India without a separate employment visa.