How to Replace a Lost or Damaged OCI Card: Step-by-Step Guide

The OCI card (Overseas Citizenship of India) is a lifelong, multiple-entry visa that lets people of Indian origin visit and stay in India without a separate visa. It’s also used for many services in India.

If your card is lost or damaged, delays can affect travel, long stays, or property deals. Acting fast prevents last-minute stress at airports or with legal tasks.

Stage 1: Confirm if the card is lost, stolen, or damaged

• What happens: You decide whether the card is truly missing, was stolen, or is physically damaged (torn, chipped, or unreadable).
• Your action:
  • If lost or stolen: report it to local police and get a written acknowledgment or report number. Keep a copy for your records.
  • If damaged: keep the damaged card ready to submit later (do not attempt repairs like gluing).
• What to expect from authorities: The police will issue an acknowledgment or report, which supports your replacement application.

Estimated timeframe: Same day to 2 days, depending on local police procedures.

Stage 2: Start the online application on the OCI Services portal

• What happens: Replacement requests are handled online via the Government of India’s OCI Services portal. Use the “OCI Miscellaneous Services” section and choose “Lost/Damaged OCI Card.”
• Your action:
  1. Go to the OCI Services portal (OCI Services portal).
  2. Create or log in to your account, select the correct service, and begin the form.
  3. Fill details exactly as in your current passport.
• Upload items (as applicable):
  • Recent passport-sized photo (follow portal size/background rules).
  • Scanned signature (or left thumb impression for minors if instructed).
  • Current passport copy (bio page).
  • Damaged OCI card copy, if available.
  • Police report acknowledgment if the card was lost or stolen.
  • Proof of address if asked.
• What to expect from authorities: The portal will accept your application and issue a temporary reference number, then a file number once submitted.

Estimated timeframe: 30–60 minutes if you have documents ready. Allow extra time to edit photos/signatures to match size rules.

Stage 3: Pay the replacement fee online

• What happens: You’ll be prompted to pay after completing the online form.
• Fees:
  • Applying outside India: USD 100
  • Applying within India: about ₹5,170
  • If your country uses an outsourcing partner (e.g., VFS Global in the United States 🇺🇸), expect a service charge, a small welfare fund fee, and optional courier fees.
• Your action: Pay online through the portal or partner website if redirected. Save your payment receipt.
• What to expect from authorities: You’ll receive a payment confirmation to include with your physical submission.

Estimated timeframe: Same day

Stage 4: Print the form and prepare your physical packet

• What happens: Physical verification is standard in most places even after an online application.
• Your action: Print the completed application form and gather required physical documents:
  • Signed application printout
  • Current valid passport (original and copy) as required
  • Photos as per specifications (if asked)
  • Damaged OCI card (if replacing a damaged card)
  • Police report acknowledgment (for lost/stolen)
  • Payment receipt
  • Proof of address and any extra documents the portal or local embassy lists
• Submission address depends on location:
  • Outside India: local Indian Embassy/Consulate or authorized service center (e.g., VFS Global)
  • Inside India: the nearest FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office)
• What to expect from authorities: The mission or FRRO will check your packet for completeness and contact you if anything is missing or incorrect.

Estimated timeframe: 1–7 days to collect documents and courier time if mailing.

Stage 5: Submit the packet in person or by mail

• What happens: You hand over or mail your documents for verification.
• Your action:
  • Follow embassy/consulate or service center rules (some accept only mail-in; others allow in-person by appointment).
  • Keep tracking numbers and copies of everything you send.
• What to expect from authorities: You should receive an acknowledgment of receipt. Service centers provide tracking/status updates; embassies/consulates may use email or online tools.

Estimated timeframe: Mailing adds transit time; in-person can be same day.

Stage 6: Verification and processing

• What happens: The mission or FRRO verifies identity against your passport, reviews the police report (if any), confirms eligibility, and coordinates with the issuing authority to reprint the duplicate OCI card.
• Your action: Wait for updates and respond quickly if asked for additional documents or clearer scans. If you’re traveling soon, avoid nonrefundable bookings until you have the new card or written confirmation of a pickup date.
• What to expect from authorities: Typical processing is about one month after the physical documents arrive. Workloads vary by location and season.

Estimated timeframe: About 4 weeks from receipt of the physical file (can be faster or slower).

Stage 7: Delivery or pickup of your new OCI card

• What happens: Once approved, the new card is printed and assigned to you.
• Your action:
  • Follow pickup instructions or await courier delivery if you paid for shipping.
  • Bring ID for pickup and check the card upon receipt to ensure name, date of birth, and passport number are correct.
• What to expect from authorities: Some locations mail the card automatically; others require in-person pickup. You’ll be informed by email, SMS, or the tracking portal.

Estimated timeframe: A few days after approval, depending on printing and shipping.

Common questions during the journey

• Can I travel to India while my replacement is pending?
  • It’s risky. Without the OCI card you may need a separate visa, and airline staff could deny boarding if entry rules aren’t met. If travel is urgent, consult the consulate before booking.
• Do I need to re-issue after every new passport?
  • Current guidance: upload a copy of each new passport and a recent photo online up to age 20, and once after 50. This upload is free and usually doesn’t need physical submission.
• What if my child turned 20?
  • A re-issuance may be required at that milestone. Check the portal’s instructions and embassy notices.

Fees and sample extras you may see

• Standard replacement fees are fixed by the Government of India, but service centers may add small service charges and courier fees based on local practice.
• Keep all receipts; you may need them to track your file.

Document tips to avoid delays

• Photos: Follow exact size, background, and face-position rules on the portal. If rejected, adjust and re-upload.
• Names and dates: Match your passport exactly. Small errors (extra spaces, missing middle names) can slow processing.
• Police report: For lost/stolen cards, attach the acknowledgment. If police provide only a report number, include that plus any permitted printout.
• Damaged card: If you have it, include it in the packet. Do not attempt repairs; submit as-is.

Tracking and communication

• Save your application file number, payment receipt, and any tracking numbers.
• Check your email regularly (including spam) for requests from the embassy, FRRO, or service center.
• If your file seems stuck past six weeks, contact the mission with the reference number and list dates of submissions and replies.

Case study examples to set expectations

• Example 1 (United States 🇺🇸): Lost card → police report same day → online form same evening → packet mailed via courier with tracking. Service center acknowledges in 2 days. New card approved in 3.5 weeks and delivered by mail 5 days later. Total: about 5 weeks.
• Example 2 (India): Damaged card → apply via portal → visit FRRO in person with damaged card → processing ~4 weeks → card collected in person. Total: about 1 month.

Key rights and travel points to remember

• The OCI card is a long-term, multiple-entry visa benefit. Losing it doesn’t cancel your status; it only removes the physical proof until the duplicate is issued.
• Always keep digital scans of your OCI card, passport, and important receipts in secure cloud storage to speed up replacement.

One official link you should keep handy

• For current rules, forms, and uploads, use the official OCI Services portal at the Ministry of Home Affairs: OCI Services portal.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, timely filing and correct uploads reduce back-and-forth requests and keep most replacement cases within the one-month window. Their reporting also notes that incomplete packets and photo specification errors are the most common causes of delay.

Final checklist before you submit

• Police report acknowledgment (if lost or stolen)
• Online application completed under OCI Miscellaneous Services
• Fee paid and receipt saved
• Photo and signature uploaded meeting the portal’s rules
• Current passport copy attached; damaged card included if applicable
• Printed form signed and placed on top of the packet
• Packet sent to the correct embassy/consulate, service center, or FRRO

Next steps if your details change

• If you renew your passport during or after replacement, use the portal’s photo and passport upload tool to update your record per age rules.
• If your address or marital status changes (including for foreign spouses), update your documents in the system when prompted.

Takeaway: Start online, prepare a clean packet, pay the correct fee, and allow about a month after document receipt for processing. Stay reachable for follow-up. With accurate documents and timely action, replacing an OCI card is predictable and manageable—keep copies, act early, and avoid last-minute stress.