OCI Received While in India on e-Visa – Can Status Be Updated Through FRRO Without Leaving India?

[CanIndians]

Canadian citizen currently in India on an e-Tourist Visa. My OCI has been approved and I received the physical OCI card while I am still in India.

Has anyone recently updated their status from e-Visa/Tourist Visa to OCI through FRRO/e-FRRO without leaving India?

If yes:
- Which e-FRRO service did you use?
- Was it done online or did you visit FRRO?
- Were you required to exit and re-enter India on OCI?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with first-hand experience. Thanks!

 

[vignesh93]

Canadian citizen currently in India on an e-Tourist Visa. My OCI has been approved and I received the physical OCI card while I am still in India.

Has anyone recently updated their status from e-Visa/Tourist Visa to OCI through FRRO/e-FRRO without leaving India?

If yes:
- Which e-FRRO service did you use?
- Was it done online or did you visit FRRO?
- Were you required to exit and re-enter India on OCI?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone with first-hand experience. Thanks!

Hey, what did you do in your case? I'm also travelling on the same boat as I've applied for OCI a month ago and travelling in a couple of weeks as I'd be also applying e-visa next week. please advise as I'm travelling with my newborn. thanks!

 

[CanIndians]

Hey, what did you do in your case? I'm also travelling on the same boat as I've applied for OCI a month ago and travelling in a couple of weeks as I'd be also applying e-visa next week. please advise as I'm travelling with my newborn. thanks!

It was pretty simple
Sharing my experience in case it helps someone.

I’m a Canadian citizen/former Indian citizen and had already received my OCI card while I was in India on a valid e-Tourist Visa. I wanted to avoid leaving India and re-entering just for OCI.

I applied through e-FRRO:

Service: Conversion Type (Visa)
Conversion: Visa Type Conversion
Target Visa: OCI
Entries: Multiple

In the reason, I mentioned that my OCI card had been issued and was physically with me in India and requested registration/update of my status.

I also called FRRO Delhi to clarify the process. My advice is to CALL FRRO rather than relying only on email, because they can tell you what applies to your specific case.

FRRO later asked me to re-upload:
1. Latest notarized affidavit from an Indian guarantor taking financial responsibility
2. Request letter for registration of OCI, mentioning that the OCI card was physically in my possession in India and signed by me.

I uploaded the documents through e-FRRO and my application was subsequently processed successfully. I did NOT have to go to Nepal or leave India for this.

FRRO Delhi:
011-26711384
frrodli@nic.in

Delhi FRRO Support:
011-26711443 / 011-26713851

Contact according to your jurisdiction area .

This is just my personal experience, so requirements may differ depending on your case. But if you are in India with a valid visa and have already received your OCI, I would definitely contact FRRO/e-FRRO before spending money on an exit/re-entry trip.