To bridge the information gap and strengthen ties with the Indian diaspora, the Consulate General of India (CGI), in collaboration with the Indian Society of Western Australia (ISWA), hosted a Consular Open House on June 15, 2025, at the Indian Community Centre (ICC) in Perth, Australia. The event provided a direct platform for the Indian community to engage with consular officials, ask questions, and gain clarity on a wide range of services.

The session began with a warm welcome from ISWA President Deepak Sharma, who thanked the Consulate for its outreach and extended his greetings to Acting Consul General Naresh Kumar, his team, and all attendees. He then called for a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad — a solemn gesture that set a respectful tone for the afternoon, underscoring the Consulate’s focus on community care and service.

Sharma invited Kumar to lead the session, who outlined CGI Perth’s commitment to consular services, cultural promotion, and emergency assistance, and provided an overview of services under its jurisdiction of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. These include passports, visas, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) applications, birth and marriage registrations, document attestations, citizenship renunciation, police clearance certificates, and pensioner life certificates. 

Following the presentation, Kumar and his team opened the floor to questions, addressing dozens of queries on OCI reissuance, emergency services, and document attestations. Much of the session focused on OCI — a recurring area of interest and concern for the diaspora. Attendees asked:

• Who is eligible to apply for OCI? Does it extend to fourth-generation persons of Indian origin?
• When should children be registered as OCI cardholders?
• For dual citizens, which passport or citizenship should be linked to the OCI?
• What emergency services are available while an OCI application is in process?
• What are the rules for updating OCI details between the ages of 20 and 50?

Kumar clarified that under updated OCI guidelines (effective April 2021), OCI cards no longer need to be reissued each time a passport is renewed for individuals aged between 20 and 50. However, updates are still required up to the age of 20 and after turning 50.

Key Takeaways: OCI Updates vs. OCI Reissuance

• Before age 20: Updates are required with each new passport — photo and documents must be uploaded online (gratis, no new card issued)
• Between 20 and 50:
  • If only a new passport is issued: No action required.
  • If there’s a change in address, occupation, or contact details: Gratis update (upload documents and photo online — no new card issued).
• After age 50: Updates are required again with a new passport — gratis, no new card issued.

An advisory on the issuance of the OCI dated April 16, 2021, by the Government of India was also circulated during the session for community awareness.

He added that reissuance is only required in three cases:
• When a new passport is issued after the age of 20 (for the first time),
• When there is a change in personal details (e.g., name or nationality), or
• In the event of loss or damage to the OCI card.

The consular team also clarified several other services, including the issuance of life certificates for pensioners, the process for granting power of attorney, and the steps involved in obtaining police clearance certificates and document attestations.

In addition to answering questions, the Consulate distributed printed FAQs, program brochures, and flyers about flagship initiatives such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the Know India Programme, and the Indian Community Welfare Fund (which supports Indians in distress, including women, and assists in the repatriation of mortal remains).

Kumar noted that feedback and suggestions from the community were valuable and encouraged formal submissions via email so that the Consulate can explore system improvements more effectively.

A number of attendees expressed appreciation for the session:

“I really enjoyed the session. It was very informative. I came with one question but ended up getting answers to many others,” said one attendee. “It was a good overview, though I wish there was more time for individual questions,” said another.

“I learned that I don’t need to update my OCI every time I renew my passport, which is a huge relief,” said another long-term OCI holder.

Amit Mehta, SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) Australia content creator, remarked, “There’s a lot of confusion in the community. We need more sessions like this where we hear directly from the Consulate.”

The event concluded with informal community interaction over tea and snacks, leaving attendees hopeful for more such forums in the future — ones that continue to empower the diaspora with timely, accurate, and accessible information.

For more information: visit cgiperth.gov.in, call +61 8 9221 4205 (general) or +61 433 743 574 (emergency), or email cons.perth@mea.gov.in / cg.perth@mea.gov.in. For OCI updates, visit https://ociservices.gov.in

Note: Consular officials advised that while no action is needed for new passports issued between ages 20 and 50 (unless personal details change), travellers should carry their old passport with the OCI card to avoid issues during international travel. For official guidance, visit https://ociservices.gov.in.

Related posts:

Embassy of India Hosts Consular Camp at the Southern Asian Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Maryland Indian Panel Flags OCI Card Revocations, Pushes for NRI Voting Rights and Policy Reforms Consul General Binaya Pradhan cautions travel agents against overcharging fees and submitting fraudulent documents  Varun Ghosh Becomes First Indian Heritage Senator to Take Oath on Bhagavad Gita