New Delhi -A great deal of misconception has been done away by the Ministry of External Affairs by issuing a clarification regarding the need of periodic renewal of OCI card issued to Non Resident Indians. NRIs will no longer be required to pursue for renewal with Indian Missions overseas if they applied and have been issued OCI card after completing fifty years of age.

In response to a public grievance filed with the Government of India, MEA has officially clarified that in such cases OCI cards will have lifelong validity and no renewal would be necessary. Prior to this NRIs were in utter confusion particularly in the context of communication issued regarding stages when re-validation of OCI Card would become necessary , if any change is incorporated in the Passport such as renewal ,address change etc. This was proving counterproductive earlier and many NRIs particularly in 50 plus age group were inclined to surrender their OCI Cards if situation prevails any longer. Even no clarification was forthcoming from Overseas Missions in the matter. But now MEA has clarified vide a reply given by a Joint Secretary in the Ministry in response to a public grievance.