Conversion of PIO cards to OCI cards

The Government of India has announced vide Gazette Notification No. 26011/01/2014IC.I dated 09 January 2015, all PIO cards issued till 09 January 2015 are deemed to be OCI card. As such the PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence. The PIO Cards are a life long document but being handwritten to be converted into OCI cards at the earliest

Further, the Government of India vide circular dated 13.01.2025 has conveyed that PIO cards will continue to be accepted as a valid travel document till 31.12.2025 along with foreign passport and Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards valid for exit / entry into India till 31.12.2025. This extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the meantime any deadline is notified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) thereby making hand written PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain appropriate visa from Indian Missions / Posts.

The existing PIO cardholders are hereby informed that no further extension will be given and they will have to get their PIO cards converted to OCI card by 31.12.2025, else they will have to get Visa from the Indian Missions / Posts abroad for travel to India and service of 'New Visa' from FRROs on the e-FRRO online portal if they are already living in India. Therefore, it is informed that the process in not automatic and the PIO Card holders need to formally apply for an OCI card to receive a physical, machine-readable document.

OCI card is a smart card which will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at the ICPs and also for obtaining various Consular services from the Indian Missions. Further, for those residing in India, it will facilitate in availing various services in India.

The applicants may submit the applications for OCI card in lieu of PIO card to the Indian Mission/FRRO concerned within the jurisdiction of his/her place of residence with following documents:
i. Printed Application form for OCI in lieu of PIO service: All applicants need to fill the online application form on the website
ii. 2 photographs as per the photo specifications
iii. Foreign Passport
iv. Photocopy of the foreign passport
v. PIO card
vi. Copy of PIO card
vii. Applicants holding a PIO card, obtained on the basis of their spouse’s Indian Origin proof, need to provide a letter confirming consent of the spouse (of Indian origin). The letter needs to be addressed to the Embassy of India, Djibouti.

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