The Indian government has officially implemented a revised $275 fee for fresh Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card applications as part of a significant administrative overhaul. This update, which affects thousands of eligible British citizens of Indian origin, standardises the rate for filings made at Indian missions across the United Kingdom.
In a major bid to streamline the process for the diaspora, the Home Ministry has also abolished the previous mandatory six-month continuous stay requirement in India for applicants aged over twelve. Further adjustments to the scheme include a $25 charge for card reissuance due to age milestones or updated particulars, while lost cards will now incur a $100 replacement fee. Prospective applicants in the UK must ensure their British passports remain valid for at least six months at the time of physical submission.
Additionally, those qualifying through marriage must have been wed for at least two years. Existing cardholders are warned that failing to update their online profile within three months of receiving a new foreign passport will now result in a $25 penalty.
These reforms follow the formal rescinding of the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) scheme on December 31, 2025 with all previous cardholders now fully transitioned to OCI status.