Hi Guys,

I am planning to travel to India with my kids. We all have Canadian passport. I have OCI and my kids have PIO cards.

Do you think they need to change to OCI? OR They can travel on PIO cards without visa?
I know there is deadline for converting PIO to OCI card but do you think that is mandatory?

I have almost 12 hrs layover time from 9:35am to 9:30pm at Heathrow Airport. I decided to take this flight because I would like to go out and visit few places. I do not have any relatives or friends there. I have to plan my own.

Any suggestions?

What is the best way to plan for london visit?

When should I leave airport and should come back at airport? Is there any paperwork need to be done at exit and entry?

What are the places worth to visit?

Do I need to convert currency or my Canadian credit card should be fine for any expense in London?

What else I should take care? (My kids are 9 and 14 years old)

All suggestions are welcome and I will appreciate it.

Thanks,

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Success is Never Ending and Failure is Never Final.

I will answer your questions in NO specific order.. So, the response will be scattered all over.

You will lose the first hour and also will need to be present at the check in TWO good hours before boarding with all of your carry on luggage etc., and be in the line up..

Your PIO is good for life. But I am ONLY sure it is good till 31st December 2016. Just check and make sure. Do renew it or UPGRADE it if you find it is worth while and you have time some time later. More on it under this.

So, for sight seeing and a nice meal, you can take the topless HOP-ON- HOP-OFF Bus or a special TAXI service to minimize the inconvenience. You can enjoy the trip in luxury that way and also spend a little time for a nice meal too. Plan it well and go to a place that you will get such a meal. For me, in LONDON, I am a Fish and Chips guy. They don't sell them on the street corners anymore, so I have to locate one close by the airport to make a quick getaway. Click on all of the videos and see what you want to see or toss a coin and select one. I will go for LONDON EYE, costly but do it before it stops spinning or the charm wears off.

FH.

CGI Website..:
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 PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09.01.2015.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 in lieu of their PIO card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence.

Please note that the deadline for conversion from PIO cards to OCI cards is December 31, 2016 and all PIO card holders are requested to submit their application through the PIO conversion link provided at http://www.cgitoronto.ca" rel="nofollow">LINK in order to avoid any inconvenience in their travel plan after 31st December 2016.

FH.

VISA.. : NOT REQUIRED.. You are O.K.

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds for your stay. If you are unable to do so, or if you seek entry as a visitor but are found with items indicating that you intend to seek any type of employment (such as curriculum vitae or educational certificates), you may be denied entry and expelled from the country. If you have previously been refused entry, contact the British High Commission in Ottawa for entry clearance before making plans to visit the United Kingdom, even if a visa is normally not required.

https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Canadian_citizens

CHECK VISA..: FOR OTHERS.. https://www.visahq.ca/visas.php
https://www.google.ca/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=canadian+permanent+resident+travel+without+visa&*

If you want to minimize taking into town your carry on luggage from the plane..: STORAGE CHARGES.... About 11Quid/item. for 24 hours. Please make sure it is close to the boarding gate, to avoid delays.
https://www.toptiplondon.com/practical-tips/left-luggage-heathrow-airport

https://www.bigbustours.com/en/london/london-bus-tours?gclid=Cj0KEQjw5YfHBRDzjNnioYq3_swBEiQArj4pdCDGX9U88s-kPsTMm3Rtp3rVavFtkJQ6Cpu9kQQ_eZkaAt1a8P8HAQ

---

Quote:

---

Originally posted by meitsme

Hi Guys,

I am planning to travel to India with my kids. We all have Canadian passport. I have OCI and my kids have PIO cards.

Do you think they need to change to OCI? OR They can travel on PIO cards without visa?
I know there is deadline for converting PIO to OCI card but do you think that is mandatory?

I have almost 12 hrs layover time from 9:35am to 9:30pm at Heathrow Airport. I decided to take this flight because I would like to go out and visit few places. I do not have any relatives or friends there. I have to plan my own.

Any suggestions?

What is the best way to plan for london visit?

When should I leave airport and should come back at airport? Is there any paperwork need to be done at exit and entry?

What are the places worth to visit?

Do I need to convert currency or my Canadian credit card should be fine for any expense in London?

What else I should take care? (My kids are 9 and 14 years old)

All suggestions are welcome and I will appreciate it.

Thanks,

---