PIO PIO

PIO

REGISTRATION AS OCI CARDHOLDER IN LIEU OF PIO CARD

1 . As on date, all Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders are deemed to be Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders.

2. However, all persons having valid PIO cards as on 9th January, 2015 are advised to apply for registration for OCI card before 30th June, 2016. Benefits of OCI Card are:

(a) OCI card is a smart card.

(b) Possession of an OCI card will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at the Immigration Check Posts.

(c) For those who are resident in India, it will facilitate in availing various services in India.

3. The date for submission of applications for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of the PIO card online is 30th June, 2016. This cut-off date will be only for submission of the applications online by the applicants. A separate online application form for submission of application for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card is available on the website https://passport.gov.in/oci/. Applicants may please submit the following documents alongwith their applications:

i. The original PIO card and its copy.

ii. The copy of the current Passport.

4. The applicants can submit the applications online from anywhere. The grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on a gratis basis. However service charges of outsourced agency will be incurred by the applicant.

5. In the meantime, all the Immigration Check Posts and the Airlines (through the Civil Aviation/ DGCA) have been informed that the erstwhile PIO cardholders are allowed to travel either on the PIO card or on the OCI card and that they should honor both.