Consulate General of India

CONSULAR UPDATES & NOTICES

• e-Arrival Card: From October 01, 2025, all foreign nationals visiting India for tourism, study or business will have the option of submitting a digital arrival card online before arrival in India. The e-Arrival card can be filled and submitted through the Bureau of Immigration website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/ and the Official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam Mobile App, 72 hours prior to arrival. Physical Disembarkation Cards will continue for up to six months or until further notice. Visitors are advised to use the digital option.

• Reissuance of passport: Your Indian passport establishes your identity in a foreign country. It is important to have it re-issued before expiry. The passport may be submitted for re-issue up to one year before the date of expiry.

• Loss or destruction of passport: Your Indian passport is a valuable document. It should always remain in your custody or with a duly authorized person. If lost or destroyed, report the facts and circumstances immediately to the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate and the local police.

• Passport photocopy: Keep a photocopy of your Indian passport separately in a safe place. The photocopy should include pages showing personal particulars, passport validity, date and place of issue, as well as immigration stamps and visas.

• Passport for minors: All minors must have a separate passport. The earlier practice of including a child's name in the parent's passport has been discontinued.

• Upon acquiring Japanese nationality: After acquiring Japanese nationality, the Indian passport must be submitted to the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate for cancellation. It will be returned after cancellation. Using an Indian passport for travel after acquiring foreign nationality is an offence and attracts penalties. After acquiring Japanese citizenship, you cease to be an Indian citizen and require an Indian visa to travel to India.

• Restrictions on Use of Satellite Phones

Link: Restriction on use of satellite phones in India

• Fees and Processing Time: Fee rates may change anytime. Fees are payable only in cash in Japanese Yen. Payment of fees is for processing the application and does not guarantee service. Fees are non-refundable.

• Documents: The Consular Officer may request additional documentation beyond what is listed.

• Working hours: Except holidays and weekends, applications are received at the Consular Wing from 09:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Processed documents may be collected from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM on the pick-up date indicated on the receipt. If the date falls on a holiday, delivery will be on the next working day.

• Inquiries: For information not covered here, send email inquiries to cons.osakakobe@mea.gov.in .

• Indian women deserted by their overseas Indian spouses may contact the Consulate for assistance.

• FAQs on Marital Disputes involving NRI and PIO spouses (Link: FAQs on Marital Disputes PDF )

• NRI Voting Rights
  • Indian citizens abroad who have not acquired foreign citizenship and are 18 years old or above (as of 1 January of the relevant year) may apply in Form 6A for registration in the electoral roll of their Indian residence constituency. Forms and guidelines are available at eci.nic.in and nvsp.in.
  • The completed Form 6A must be sent directly to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the relevant constituency along with required documents, including a recent photograph and self-attested passport copies.
  • Once enrolled, the voter must be physically present at the polling station on election day to cast a vote, carrying the original passport.
  • If submitting Form 6A in person, the original passport must be produced for verification and will be returned immediately.

• Visas for commissioning surrogacy: The import of human embryos is prohibited except for research under approved guidelines. No visa will be issued to foreign nationals for commissioning surrogacy in India. OCI cardholders will not be given FRRO permission for surrogacy, nor will exit permission be granted for children born through surrogacy to foreign nationals or OCI holders.