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INDIA: Reminder – Deadline Approaching for Conversion of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI)
November 20, 2017
Indian consulates and embassies around the world are urging holders of Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to convert them to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards before the deadline of 31st December 2017.
Please note that, from October 2018, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) will only accept machine-readable travel documents. The existing PIO cards are hand written and will, therefore, become invalid travel documents.
Background
An ordinance of 6th January 2015, amending the Indian Citizenship Act, unified the two schemes and, on 9th January 2015, the immediate withdrawal of the PIO scheme was announced.
The deadline for the conversion of PIO to OCI has been extended several times since January 2015.
The OCI is valid for the holder’s lifetime and is accompanied by a lifelong multiple-entry visa to India, with no requirement to report to the FRRO, regardless of length of stay.
Our Advice
Applicants should submit their ‘PIO in lieu of OCI’ applications at their local Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in India or at the overseas mission or consulate of jurisdiction.
PIO card holders can continue to use their valid PIO cards until converted.
For advice and information on immigration to India in general, please email us at [email protected].
This information was provided by our sister company Peregrine Immigration Management.
