OCI Card Issued Before 2026 – Any Action Required?

I checked with my local Indian High Commission before traveling from the UK because I had the same concern.

They pointed me to the latest notice explaining that only new OCI applications are issued as digital e-OCI from July 2026. Existing OCI holders can continue using their current OCI documents, and any required updates—such as after passport renewal—can be completed through the online OCI services when applicable.

I still carry my physical OCI booklet whenever I travel, even though I also downloaded the e-OCI for convenience.

My OCI was issued in 2019, and I recently renewed my Canadian passport.

The only action I needed to take was updating my new passport details through the OCI Miscellaneous Services portal. I didn't apply for a brand-new OCI card because my personal details hadn't changed. The update was completed online, and my existing OCI remained valid throughout the process.

If your passport is still the same one linked to your OCI, I don't think there's much you need to do. The important thing is to stay aware of any future updates if you renew your passport or change personal information.

I was in almost the same situation. My OCI was issued in 2021, and I traveled from the US to India earlier this month.

I continued using my physical OCI booklet along with my valid US passport. Nobody at airline check-in or immigration asked me to replace it or apply for a new OCI. After my trip, I read the latest government announcement, which says that existing physical OCI cards remain valid, while the digital e-OCI is mainly the new format for future issuance.

Since my passport hasn't changed, I didn't have to update anything. I'll probably download the e-OCI later because it seems more convenient to keep on my phone, but I wasn't required to do so before traveling.