PIO card holders � OCI in Lieu of PIO

This is an important announcement to all PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) card holders , as these cards are valid only till September 30, 2018. After this particular date, these cards will be considered as invalid. Thus, all PIO card holders are requested to converted their PIO card to OCI card, before last date i.e September 30, 2018. Kindly note that no further extensions / deadlines can be entertained after last mentioned date, for the conversion of PIO Cards to OCI cards approval.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) can only accept machine readable travel documents, that’s why they give timeline to convert all cards to the holders, in a meantime PIO card holders can travel with valid travel document (Passport), if their journey date commenced ON or BEFORE September 30, 2018.

Features of OCI card

• It is a smart card.
• The OCI card will facilitate with fast immigration clearance from the Immigration Check Posts.
• It is also helpful to get various Consular Services from the Indian Mission / Posts.
• The Indian passport holders or the resident of India, will facilitate in availing various services in India.

This information is for the OCI card holders, who need to reissue their OCI cards, when their passport get renewed for persons under twenty years of age, and it need to be renewed again after crossing 50 years of age only once, that too when the US passport is renewed. In case, you have shortage of time and need to travel, then you can make an online application for renewal of OCI Card, also need to carry acknowledgement print out of your old passport and new passport and the old machine readable OCI card.

Points to keep in mind for apply for OCI in Lieu of PIO card:

• All PIO card holders are recommended to apply for OCI in Lieu of PIO card.
• Kindly note that, name change or nationality changes are not allowed on PIO cards.
• It is requested that, all the applications needed to be submitted at the the Consular jurisdiction of his/her place of residence.

Kindly note that the above instructions applicable, until no further notification received from the Embassy.