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
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:
Kindly note that the above instructions applicable, until no further notification received from the Embassy.
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Step1: Complete the online application by providing your passport details.
Step2: Submit payment online using a credit card.
Step3: Monitor your email for confirmation of payment and receipt of your eVisa, which will be sent electronically.
Questions:
(1) Will conversion from PIO to OCI be available after September 30, 2018? Or do we have to apply for a new OCI altogether, which I believe involves a LOT more paper work than a conversion. What is going to be the cost of this, if i file an OCI application in India (at the Mumbai center)?
(2) What is the fee (total, in Indian rupees) for conversion of PIO to OCI per person if I file all my papers (I am trying my best to do that) and submit money (by demand draft) before September 30 2018? I am trying to submit the application while I am in India for the next 3 months.