OCI Card Renewal from Canada: How to Update or Re-Issue Your Overseas Citizen of India Card

OCI cardholders need to re-issue their card when they get a new passport, and minors must re-issue it multiple times before age 20. This guide explains the re-issuance process from Canada, the BLS International service centre workflow, required documents, and typical timelines for Indian nationals living in Canada.

OCI Card Renewal from Canada: How to Update or Re-Issue Your Overseas Citizen of India Card

The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card gives Indian-origin individuals a lifelong visa to visit India and access to most facilities available to Non-Resident Indians. However, OCI cardholders must re-issue their card whenever they receive a new passport — and minors must re-issue it when they reach age 5 and again at age 15, and once more after their 20th birthday. If you have naturalised as a Canadian citizen and hold an OCI card originally issued on your Indian passport, you must re-issue the OCI to link it to your Canadian passport. Understanding the process from Canada saves time and prevents travel disruptions.

When You Must Re-Issue Your OCI Card

An OCI re-issuance is required in the following circumstances:

New passport issued: Every time you get a new passport (Indian or foreign), you must re-issue your OCI to link it to the new travel document.
Minor milestones: Children who held OCI cards must re-issue when they turn 5, when they turn 15 (or get a new passport due to appearance change), and once after turning 20.
Change in personal details: Name change after marriage, change in marital status reflected on the passport, or correction of errors in the original OCI.
Lost or damaged OCI card: A replacement re-issuance application is required.

You do not need to re-issue your OCI if you have renewed your old passport number — only when a new passport number is issued.

The Re-Issuance Process from Canada

In Canada, OCI applications are handled by BLS International, the authorised service provider for the High Commission of India in Ottawa. BLS has service centres in Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary, and a postal/courier processing option for most applicants.

Step 1: Online application

Complete the OCI re-issuance application on the Indian government's official portal (ociservices.gov.in). Upload required documents, pay the fee online, and print the submitted application form.

Step 2: Document submission to BLS

Submit your application to the nearest BLS service centre (in-person or by courier). Required documents typically include:

Completed and signed OCI application form (from ociservices.gov.in)
Current foreign passport (Canadian passport)
Old OCI card and old OCI booklet (if applicable)
Previous Indian passport (if OCI was originally linked to an Indian passport)
Proof of Canadian immigration status (for applicants who have acquired Canadian citizenship)
Passport-sized photographs as specified in the current BLS requirements

[CAUTION_FLAG: Required documents, fee amounts, and BLS service centre procedures are updated periodically. Verify the current document checklist and fee schedule directly at blsindia-canada.com or the High Commission of India website before submitting your application. Do not rely on third-party summaries for the current requirements.]

Step 3: Processing

BLS forwards your application to the High Commission of India in Ottawa, which processes and sends the application to the Ministry of External Affairs in India for issuance. Processing times from Canada typically range from eight to sixteen weeks for standard applications; consult the BLS website for current estimates.

Step 4: Collection

Once processed, the new OCI card is returned to BLS and then to the applicant by courier. Track your application status on the OCI portal using your application reference number.

Travelling to India While Your Re-Issuance Is Pending

If your OCI re-issuance is pending and you need to travel to India, you can still travel using your current foreign passport with the old OCI card if the OCI is linked to a prior passport that you still hold. Carry both the old passport (to which the OCI was linked) and your current passport. If you no longer hold the old passport, contact the Indian consulate for guidance on obtaining a travel facilitation document.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting photographs that do not meet the current specification (size, background, recency) — this is the most common cause of rejection.
Failing to notarise or apostille documents when required for name-change applications.
Applying via the wrong BLS jurisdiction — ensure you apply through the BLS centre corresponding to your province of residence.
Not tracking the application after submission — use the OCI portal reference number regularly.

Official Resources

OCI Services portal (application): https://ociservices.gov.in
BLS International Canada: https://www.blsindia-canada.com
High Commission of India, Ottawa: https://www.hcottawa.gov.in