Validity of PIO Card Extended up to March 31, 2020
The 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 March 31, 2020, instead of earlier deadline i.e. September 30, 2019. Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards valid for exit from/entry into India till March 31, 2020 as last and final opportunity. 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.
2. All PIO cardholders are meanwhile advised to convert their PIO cards to OCI cards well in time.
- OCI card is a smart card;
- Possession of an OCI card will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at Immigration Check Posts;
- It will help in obtaining various Consular Services from Indian Missions/Posts;
- For those who are resident in India, it will facilitate in availing various services in India.
(a) The fee for conversion of PIO card to OCI card is $100. The fees for issuance of fresh OCI cards will remain as $275.
(b) Details regarding obtaining OCI in lieu of PIO card can be seen at https://www.in.ckgs.us/pio/index.shtml 
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(c) Re-issuance of OCI is mandatory every time passport is renewed up to the age of 20 years, and once after completing 50 years of age.
