Updating Passport Number on OCI Card After Renewal

I renewed my US passport earlier this year and had the same concern before booking my trip.

What helped me was reading the latest OCI FAQs. They explain that routine passport updates and OCI re-issuance aren't always the same thing anymore. In many cases, updating the passport particulars online is sufficient, while a full re-issuance is only required in specific situations. I also made sure my registered email on the OCI portal was current before starting the update because that's where I received all the notifications.

My experience in Australia was a little different because I missed the 90-day window.

When I contacted the application centre, they advised me to apply through OCI Miscellaneous Services, and there was a service fee because I was updating the passport details after the free online period had passed. The application was still straightforward, but it took longer than I expected.

If you've only renewed your passport and none of your personal details have changed, I'd recommend updating it sooner rather than later to avoid extra steps.

I updated mine from the UK about two months ago after renewing my passport.

The process was much simpler than I expected. I logged into the OCI portal, selected the passport update option under the miscellaneous services section, uploaded a copy of my new passport and a recent photograph, and submitted everything online. I didn't have to visit VFS because I completed the update within the required time after my passport was issued. The confirmation email arrived a few weeks later. Recent guidance says passport particulars should be updated within 90 days of receiving the new passport, and updates made within that period are generally completed online without a fee.