Extension of validity of PIO Cards till December 31, 2023
The Government of India published in the Gazette of India (Part-I, Section-I) on 30th September 2014, that a PIO card issued to an applicant shall be valid for his/her lifetime, provided such applicant has a valid Passport.
2. Subsequently, the Government of India notified on 9th January 2015 that all the existing Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders registered as such under new PIO Card scheme 2002, shall be deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India Cardholders (Merger of PIO & OCI Schemes).
3. Accordingly, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India communicated that all existing valid PIO cardholders (valid as on 30 September 2014, the date of notification of lifelong validity for a PIO card) were expected to apply for an OCI card in lieu of PIO card before 31st December, 2017.
4. It has now been decided that Bureau of Immigration (BoI) will accept all Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards (including handwritten PIO cards), along with valid foreign passport, as valid travel document till December 31, 2023, instead of earlier deadline of December 31, 2022. Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards valid for exit from/entry into India till December 31, 2023. This extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the meantime, any deadline is notified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) thereby making handwritten PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain appropriate visa from Indian Missions/Posts.
5. All PIO Cardholders with valid PIO Cards as on 9th January, 2015 are strongly advised to apply for conversion of their PIO Cards into OCI Cards.They can do so by visiting: https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-oci-services
The advantages of OCI Cards are given below:
(a) OCI Card is a smart card;
(b) Possession of an OCI Card will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at Immigration Check Posts;
(c) It will help in obtaining various Consular Services from Indian Missions/Posts;
(d) For those who are resident in India, it will facilitate in availing various services in India; and
(e) The fee for conversion of PIO Card into OCI Card is US$ 100 while the fee for issuance of fresh OCI Card is US$ 275.
* * * * *
