Community forums are abuzz with confirmations that the Indian government has stopped printing physical Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) booklets from 8 July, moving entirely to downloadable e-OCI cards. A post on 30 July details a hassle-free immigration experience using only the digital PDF and stresses airline acceptance. The Bureau of Immigration introduced the e-OCI after a six-month beta, aiming to save ₹50 crore annually in printing and courier costs. Existing booklet holders can log into the OCI portal or use the “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam” mobile app to retrieve their QR-coded card at no charge until 31 December 2026. For global-mobility teams managing returning diaspora employees, the shift eliminates the two-week wait previously needed to re-issue damaged or full booklets. Airlines have been briefed via a 15-July Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to treat the digital card plus passport as sufficient documentation. Law firms, however, caution that certain state police-FRRO offices still ask to sight a printed copy during address registrations. Until uniform SOPs are issued, companies should advise assignees to carry a colour print-out of the e-OCI on first entry. In the medium term, officials plan to integrate the e-OCI directly into DigiLocker and India’s forthcoming Digital Travel Credential, paving the way for completely paperless international arrivals.
Source: Reddit – r/nri
