PIO cards not valid for travel to India after March 31, 2016
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Came across this news, and thought may be helpful to those with a PIO and haven't converted to a OCI as yet.
PIO cardholders who haven?t obtained a OCI card will need a visa for India after the deadline of 31st March 2016
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/pio-cards-not-valid-for-travel-to-india-after-march-31-1.1674899
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SS
Reiki Grand Master
Sudershan ji,
It seems that Indian Consulates at each location makes its own rules or interpret the Government rulings according to their own understanding.
I just now re-checked on Indian Consulate Website in Toronto http://www.cgitoronto.ca/content/pio-0 and my understanding is that PIO cards continues to be valid to travel to India even after 31st March, 2016 if they have the 'LIFELONG VISA STAMP" on the PIO card. Please see the pasting below and read the first bolded part. Also, If you see the second bolded part later in the post below, they want PIO card holders the advantage to convert to Smart OCI card to avoid the line ups at Immigration clearance on arrival to India. It does not say anywhere that PIO would not be valid after 31st March, 2016.
Your comments please!!
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PIO
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PIO CARDHOLDERS
This is to inform that all PIO cards issued till 09.01.2015 are deemed to be OCI card. PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09.01.2015. Henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence.
Updated information on requirement of registration for OCI in lieu of PIO cards:
Date of submission of online applications by the erstwhile PIO cardholders with valid PIO cards as on 09 January 2015 for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card has now been further extended till 31 March, 2016.
The applicants may submit applications for OCI card in lieu of PIO card to the Embassy/Consulates/FFRO concerned within the Consular jurisdiction of his/her place of residence. This is in modification of the earlier instruction that they should apply only at the location where the PIO card was issued.
In cases of erstwhile PIO cardholders, the new foreign passport number (when they get a new passport) may continue to be endorsed on the existing PIO card till the person concerned is issued an OCI card in lieu of PIO card.
PIO cardholder can travel to India on the basis of their valid PIO card with endorsement of ?lifelong visa stamp? and valid foreign passport.
While the grant of OCI card in lieu of PIO card will be on gratis basis, the applicants may have to bear only the postage charges and service fee wherever applicable.
If a foreign national who has obtained an OCI card on the basis of spouse gets remarried to another foreigner, the OCI card will be immediately cancelled. In case of re-marriage to another citizen of India or an OCI cardholder, the person concerned will have to submit fresh application for grant of OCI card.
In cases where the PIO card is reported to be lost, the fee for the replacement card will have to be paid.
Advantages for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card
OCI card is a smart card which will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at the Immigration counters in India. Therefore, PIO cardholders are advised:
To apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card before 31 March 2016 at https://passport.gov.in/oci.
All applications are to be submitted online. No offline applications will be accepted or entertained. Submit the online application form with all the details, to update the system and the database, and upload a copy of the existing PIO card and their current valid passport as well as photograph and signature. The links for uploading documents, photograph and signatures are also provided on the same: https://passport.gov.in/oci/welcome. As regards information for the specification for photograph, please visit the website link: https://passport.gov.in/oci/Photo-Spec-FINAL.pdf
(For more information on OCI, PIO card and FAQs, please visit MHA?s link: http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/oci-brochure.pdf )
Submit the print out of the application along with copy of the existing PIO card and the current valid passport at the BLS Centre.
NEW INFORMATION
Advisory to all the OCI/PIO Card holders: Regarding Visa Sticker
Henceforth there will be No 'U' visa sticker pasted on the passports of OCI cardholders. OCI cardholders are advised to carry the OCI Booklet and the valid passport, which is mentioned in the OCI Booklet to travel to India.
(As regards reissue of OCI card under miscellaneous service, kindly visit the MHA OCI brochure (http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/oci-brochure.pdf )
The PIO cardholders may, however, carry the valid passport which is endorsed on the PIO card for travel to India or the old passport which endorsed on PIO card along with the new passport."
ALL OCI CARD APPLICANTS WHO HAD APPLIED FOR OCI CARDS ARE ADVISED TO PLEASE CHECK THEIR ONLINE STATUS AND IF STATUS SHOWS "OCI CARDS HAVE ARRIVED IN TORONTO", THE APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT THEIR DOCUMENTS AS PER THE PICK UP INSTRUCTIONS MENTIONED IN THE ACKNOWLEGEMENT SLIP FOR COLLECTION OF THEIR CARDS FROM THE BLS AT THE EARLIEST. IF NOT COLLECTED WITHIN ONE MONTH OF CARD ARRIVAL, IT WOULD BE RETURNED FOR CANCELLATION."
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Pramod Chopra
Senior Mortgage Consultant
Mortgage Alliance Company of Canada
Hello Pramodji
I have same impression as yours. I got PIO Card with life long stamp on it from the CGI Toronto in last Dec.
MAK
Based on what I'm reading, PIO holders have 2 choices:
1. Get a life-long stamp on the PIO, or
2. Convert PIO to OCI.
Although option 2 has it's advantages, but it also comes at a cost.
But all PIO holders would still need to choose either option 1 or 2 before March 31st, 2016.
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SS
Reiki Grand Master
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 24-02-16 10:07:24
Sir,
One of my family members (Nephew) was issued a PIO card in Toronto.
Now the individual is in India and has no plans nor the money to come to Canada again.
What is to be done in this case ?
Murali
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
Location: God's own country
Posted on: 24-02-16 10:09:15
The applicants may submit applications for OCI card in lieu of PIO card to the Embassy/Consulates/FFRO concerned within the Consular jurisdiction of his/her place of residence. This is in modification of the earlier instruction that they should apply only at the location where the PIO card was issued.
Sir,
Got it.
Murali
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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.
