OCI penalty waiver 2026: update your OCI with your new passport online

What changed

• 3 November 2026 · Government of India (announced via Indian missions in the UK)

  The Government of India has announced a one-time waiver of the US$25 late-update penalty for OCI passport-particulars updates received from 1 November to 31 December 2026. It applies to all OCI cards, whichever mission issued it — London, Birmingham, Edinburgh or elsewhere.

• 2 November 2026 · VFS UK

  The notice says OCI Miscellaneous is processed without a VFS visit, and without a VFS or government fee.

After 31 December 2026 the standard penalty applies again. This is our summary of the announcement and the VFS notice; final decisions rest with the Indian authorities.

Who this is for

• Renewed British passport. Your new passport was issued more than 90 days ago and your OCI still shows the old one.
• Children. A child's British passport runs for five years, so a child's OCI can need updating sooner than an adult's.
• Travelling in December or January. Authority processing typically takes 25–40 days, so an early start gives your update the most time. We cannot promise it will finish before you fly.
• Families. One person can send the documents for the whole family. We prepare a file for each applicant.

New passport issued in the last 90 days? OCI Link at £100 is usually your route.

What it costs

What to send

• Your OCI card or OCI number
• Scans of your old and new passports
• A recent photo and your signature — we format both

How it works

1. 1

   Send your documents

   Send what is listed above by WhatsApp or email. If you would like your case checked first, message us before you pay.

2. 2

   We prepare and submit

   We complete the forms on the official OCI system and format your photo and signature, usually within 24–48 hours of receiving everything we need.

3. 3

   Your acknowledgement

   Once your file is submitted, you usually receive an acknowledgement letter within 48–72 hours for your records.

4. 4

   Authority processing

   Processing typically takes 25–40 days, and the timing rests with the authority. Your e-OCI is generated once your OCI is processed, and it is included in our fee.

Common questions

Do I still need to go to VFS?

For a passport update, no. A VFS UK notice of 2 November 2026 says OCI Miscellaneous is processed without a VFS visit or a VFS or government fee, and we prepare and submit your file online. If anything else on your OCI is changing, tell us first and we check your case before you pay.

What if my child's passport changed?

As we read the notices, a child's OCI update falls inside the same window. A child's British passport runs for five years, so send us the child's OCI details and both passports and we confirm the position before you pay.

I renewed 3 years ago — does it apply?

As we read the notice, what counts is when your update is received, between 1 November and 31 December 2026, not when your passport was issued. Send us your dates and we confirm your case before you pay.

Name change too?

The waiver notice refers to passport particulars. If your name is changing as well, tell us before you pay and we confirm the route and any fees for your case.

My OCI was issued in Birmingham/Edinburgh — does the waiver apply?

Yes. The waiver is a Government of India decision for all OCI cardholders; the issuing mission does not matter.

Outside the UK?

The waiver is a Government of India decision, so the penalty is waived wherever your OCI was issued. How your local mission processes the update may differ, so we confirm before you pay.

What happens after 31 December?

The standard late-update penalty applies again: US$25, which comes to £52.78 with the ICWF and VFS fees, on top of our £125 fee. That is why we ask for your documents by 20 December, so your file is received inside the window.

Start your update

Would you like your case checked before you pay?