High Commission of India

Wellington, New Zealand
Concurrently accredited to Samoa, Niue, the Cook Islands & Vanuatu

REISSUE / TRANSFER OF OCI CARD

NOTE: The following instructions should be read carefully and followed while applying for reissue of OCI card. Incomplete application with any column left blank or without one or more required documents is liable to be returned to the applicant, resulting in avoidable delays.

In case of OCI cards issued after October 2015, no ‘U’ visa sticker is affixed on passports. Instead there is an endorsement saying “Visa type – LIFE LONG” on the first page of OCI card itself. An OCI card holder needs to carry valid foreign passport and valid OCI card in order to enter and stay in India.

High Commission of India, Wellington accepts applications only from applicants present in New Zealand, Samoa and Niue at the time of applying. OCI application can also be made while in India with the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office. Non-New Zealand foreign nationals residing in New Zealand on long term visa / residence visa may also apply for reissue of OCI card with High Commission of India, Wellington.

If, after applying for OCI Card, there is a change in the address of the applicant, it is the responsibility of the applicant to immediately inform the High Commission of India about the change in address and to send a fresh self-addressed registered courier bag with tracking facility for the OCI card to be dispatched to her / him. If this is not done, High Commission of India assumes no responsibility for the delay in delivery / loss of OCI card.

I) When to apply for re-issue of OCI card
II) How to apply for re-issue of OCI
III) Mode of payment of fees
IV) Reissue against a lost / damaged OCI card or because of lost / damaged passport carrying ‘U’ Visa sticker
V) Where to send the application
VI) Acknowledgement
VII) Processing timeframe
VIII) Application status enquiry
IX) Despatch of OCI card

I. When to apply for re-issue of OCI card:

I.A.   OCI Miscellaneous Services can be availed by the registered OCIs as follows:

• OCI registration certificate have got to be re-issued by availing this service, each time a new passport is issued up to the completion of 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age.
• Re-issuance of OCI registration certificate and visa is not mandatory, each time a new passport is issued between 21-50 years of age. However, if the applicant wishes to avail this service, he/she can apply for the same.

I.B.    In case of change of personal particulars OR appearance OR in case of loss / damage of OCI Card.

         Click here for complete guidelines.

II.      How to apply for re-issue of OCI card:

II.A.   For applying for re-issue of OCI card each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after 50 years of age:

1. OCI cardholder is only required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport, signature and a latest photo within three months of receipt of new passport on the OCI Miscellaneous Service Portal.
2. The service will be provided on GRATIS basis and thus, no fee is to be paid by the applicant.
3. No physical application is required to be sent to the High Commission.
4. A new OCI card shall not be issued, except in cases where there are other changes also and the file number ends with NZLW........U23.
5. For complete step by step guide please click here.

II.B.   For applying for re-issue of OCI card first time after completing 20 years of age OR in case of change of personal particulars OR in case of loss / damage of OCI Card.

1. Register online at the link https://ociservices.gov.in/ under OCI Miscellaneous Services. A file number will be generated ending with NZLW........M23. For complete step by step guide please click here.
   
   
2. The OCI card is required to be re-issued only ONCE on acquiring new passport after completing 20 years of age and thereafter when a new passport is issued, the OCI cardholder, is only required to upload ONLINE a copy of the new passport, signature and a latest photo within three months of receipt of new passport on the OCI Miscellaneous Service Portal as mentioned in para I.A. above.
   
   
3. Complete the application form and upload photograph, signatures, and the following documents after getting them attested by Justice of Peace (JP):
   • Copies of current OCI booklet and U-visa sticker for cancellation.
   • First and last pages and visa page of old and new passports.
   • Marriage Certificate, if required for adding spouse name.
   • In case of change of name on the new passport, documents supporting the same.
   • In case of lost / stolen OCI card, copy of police report indicating the OCI card number and a letter explaining the circumstances of loss.
     
     
4. Specification guidelines for uploading of documents: The maximum size allowed for a document file is 500 kb. The document file must be in PDF format. (For sake of comparison, an A-4 size page document color scanned at 100 dots per inch resolution will generate a file of about 200-250 kb). Each category of document must be uploaded in a single file.
   
   
5. Documents required to be sent to the High Commission of India after uploading them:
   • One copy of the duly signed application form for each applicant.
   • Original existing OCI booklet and U-visa sticker for cancellation
   • JP attested copies of old passport and new passport
   • JP attested copy of Marriage certificate, if required for adding spouse name.
   • Name change documents in case of change of name on new passport.
   • Copy of Police Report along with an explanatory letter in case of lost / stolen / misplaced OCI card. The police report must mention the OCI card number.
   • Prescribed fees of NZ $40 in case of reissue of OCI card and NZ $142 in case of loss / damage of OCI card. (The fee shall not be refunded if the application is rejected for whatever reasons.)
   • Two photographs of size 2 inches X 2 inches with light background, showing full frontal face and shoulders covering 80% of the picture. Photograph should NOT be stapled or signed.
   • Self-addressed registered courier envelope with tracking facility for returning the new OCI card once it is ready.
     
6. Guidelines for uploading of photo: The image must be in JPEG or JPG format with maximum size of 200 KB. The minimum resolution of the photo must be 360 pixels (width) X 360 pixels (height) and the maximum resolution must be 900 pixels (width) X 900 pixels (height).
   
   
7. Guidelines for uploading the signatures: The signatures must be in jpeg or jpg format with maximum size of 200 KB. The height and width of the signature photo must have aspect ratio of 3:1. The minimum resolution of the signature photo must be 360 pixels (width) X 120 pixels (height) and the maximum resolution must be 900 pixels (width) X 300 pixels (height).
   Please watch the following video for uploading photo and signatures:

III. Mode of payment of fees:  

IV. Reissue against a lost / damaged OCI card or because of lost / damaged passport carrying ‘U’ Visa sticker:

1. New OCI card will be granted only after personal interview. Date and time of interview will be intimated by email only after receipt of hard copy of the application. Please attend the interview along with required documents.
2. In case of issuance of duplicate OCI documents for damaged documents, please surrender the damaged documents. In case only one OCI card has been lost, the other documents shall be surrendered.

V. Where to send the application: Completed application along with JP Attested documents, existing OCI card and prescribed fees may be sent to :

OCI Section
High Commission of India
72 Pipitea Street, Thorndon,
Wellington-6011, NZ
PO Box 4045.

- Applicants can also submit their applications in person between 9:30 AM and 1200 PM from Monday to Friday at the Reception counter of the High Commission of India, Wellington.

VI. Acknowledgement: OCI applications complete in all respects will be acknowledged within 10-15 days. For acknowledgement, please use your Registration number NZLW_ _ _ _ _23 and your new passport number at https://ociservices.gov.in/.

VII. Processing timeframe: OCI reissue application is processed in approximately 45 days from the date of receipt of completed hard copy of the application along with required documents and fees. Applicants are advised to make their firm bookings / travel plans only after issue of OCI card.

VIII. Application status enquiry:

1. For online status enquiry, please visit: https://ociservices.gov.in/ and quote the Registration Number of File (Acknowledgement) number.
2. Once the status enquiry shows “Documents received at Wellington”, applicants must send a prepaid registered courier bag with tracking facility, if not sent earlier.
3. If there are any objections / deficiencies in the application, the same will be displayed on the Online Status Enquiry. Please follow the instructions and send the requisite documents to the High Commission of India, Wellington quoting the Acknowledgement / File number.

IX. Dispatch of OCI card: Once the OCI card is ready, the same will be dispatched to the applicant in the self-addressed registered courier bag with tracking facility and High Commission assumes no responsibility for delay / damage / loss of OCI card in transit.