Can someone explain the purpose of...

[FinallyDone]

a separate OCI booklet (with no empty pages), AND an OCI sticker in the passport? Why do we need two, especially if one has to "renew" their OCI every time they get a new passport anyway?

Makes no sense...

[tampaite]

a separate OCI booklet (with no empty pages), AND an OCI sticker in the passport? Why do we need two, especially if one has to "renew" their OCI every time they get a new passport anyway?

Makes no sense...

My Guess and I could be wrong....

The U sticker is for travel(immigration) purpose at the airport etc.

The OCI booklet is to show your status or identity when you are within the Country and trying to avail any services.

[FinallyDone]

I guess that would make sense if they don't ask for the booklet when entering India, but somehow I believe they will want to see the booklet too.

[ocis]

**

In most cases, the U sticker typically serves the purpose for the officer at the port of entry. However the U sticker can only go so much to provide required info in immigration systems and your OCI booklet becomes necessary for verification in certain circumstances. One would be say if you only have a U sticker in an expired passport. In such and other certain situations, your OCI booklet takes precedence. Furthermore, certain restrictions or privileges would only be noted in the OCI booklet and would not be available through a U sticker.

Your U sticker would not be of help if you're trying to get clearances on inherited property, acquisition, holding or transfer of properties, etc. The U sticker would also not be of help if you're trying to avail of NRI services, studying in Indian institutions, etc.
For all of these, you would be required to produce the OCI booklet.

[FinallyDone]

I just got back from India and got to test this out. The booklet was asked for upon entry and departure. When I asked the officer upon departure why he needed the booklet, he said that he didn't but the booklet would just save him time as the booklet was machine readable. Hmmm, ok, I though the U sticker was readable too.

Anyway, be prepared with both the passport and booklet

[Vishnu1]

You can always rely on the Indian bureaucracy to complicate even the simplest of things.

[FinallyDone]

You can always rely on the Indian bureaucracy to complicate even the simplest of things.

Funny thing is he laughed when he said he needed it so it would speed things up!