{"id":41088,"date":"2026-04-16T10:53:55","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T15:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/?p=41088"},"modified":"2026-04-16T14:53:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T19:53:37","slug":"oci-card-rules-fees-documents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/travelbeats\/oci-card-rules-fees-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"New OCI Card Rules 2026 Include Revised Fees and No 6-month Stay for OCI Applicants in India"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some OCI services updates and new OCI Card 2026 rules took effect starting April 1, alongside the reduced customs duty<\/a><\/span> on international arrivals\u2019 foreign imports to India<\/strong>. The Government of India has stopped accepting the PIO Card as a valid travel document. OCI Cardholders must obtain a Digital e-Arrival Card before boarding flights to India<\/a><\/span>, as the physical disembarkation form has been discontinued permanently. Also, the OCI service portal has been revamped for a more seamless user experience.<\/p>\n

India removes 6-month stay rule for OCI Applicants<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The OCI Card rules in 2026 include no 6-month stay requirement for OCI applicants applying from India. E<\/strong>arlier, applicants applying for an OCI Card in India often faced confusion around proving \u201cordinary residence,\u201d which was commonly interpreted as a six-month stay. This led to delays and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Effective 8 April 2026, the Bureau of Immigration India has officially clarified that eligible foreign nationals can apply for OCI without completing six months of stay in India. As long as you have a valid visa and required documents, you can submit your application soon after arrival in India.<\/p>\n

\"OCI
PC: ChatGPT (for illustration purpose only)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Revised fees for OCI Card services <\/strong><\/h3>\n

The revised fee structure for OCI Card services is effective starting 1 April 2026. The new OCI application fee continues to be fixed at USD 275 (same as before) or its equivalent amount in local currencies outside India. If you file a fresh application in the UAE, you need to pay approximately AED 1,010 (equivalent to USD 275) other than an additional service charge. The OCI application fee in Singapore is SGD 349. The new OCI registration in Canada costs CAD 376, effective April 2026.<\/p>\n

Rs 15,000 is the standard fee for fresh OCI Card applications submitted within India. The fee must be paid through a demand draft drawn in favor of \u201cPay and Accounts Officer (secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs\u201d, payable at New Delhi.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n