PIO card will eventually get phased out, so it is better to go through all the trouble now and get it converted to OCI, than getting hassled in future at Indian airports. Almost every clerk --be it in Canada or in India or elsewhere-- tends to be power-tripper. immigration clerks are no different. Don't give them the chance to hassle you, especially with your family in tow.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/other-news/Last-date-for-conversion-of-PIO-cards-extended/articleshow/52827438.cms



http://timesofoman.com/article/86496/Oman/Government/Deadline-extended-for-conversion-of-PIO-cards-to-OCI

Indian consulate at Toronto is no longer stamping PIO cards with lifelong validity
https://passport.gov.in/oci/welcome is mostly offline
The same bloody mess once again
Has anyone done the conversion recently who can tell us exactly what docs to have ready, what to upload and any other tips to accomplish this in single attempt?

Quote:

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Originally posted by Chamgadad

Indian consulate at Toronto is no longer stamping PIO cards with lifelong validity
https://passport.gov.in/oci/welcome is mostly offline
The same bloody mess once again
Has anyone done the conversion recently who can tell us exactly what docs to have ready, what to upload and any other tips to accomplish this in single attempt?

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elmer fudd
Thanks for the info

I had reasonably good experience recently for conversion of PIO to OCI. The only trouble I had, and I was happily surprised since I expected more trouble, was:

1. On submission, the guy asked me that the photocopies of PIO/passport had to be self attested
2. the photo which was scanned and uploaded on line, and actually appeared on the form printed out by me, had to be also stuck on the form itself
3. The instructions said that the photo should NOT have white background, so I had clicked one at home with a ivory background which the clerk said was not fine and the background should be absolutely clear and white. I had to change the resolution of the photo and got it printed at Costco for a few cents and they cut it to the size required (2x2 inches)

On the day I submitted the application, I had to wait about 15-20 minutes only.....the place was almost empty. I was told that it would take about 8 weeks to get the OCI booklet.

However, I think I got them in about 6 weeks or so. Collection time - only 3 minutes as had only 1 person ahead of me. The place was empty!

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Chandresh

Advice is free – lessons I charge for!!

When switching from a PIO card to an OCI card, in addition to filling out an online form, uploading photographs etc. what other documentation must be submitted in person? Thank you!

Its a BLOODY nightmare to switch to OCI
What a piece of shit this crap has turned out to be. Nothing is clear on any website. When you actually go to bls office they give you all kind of bullshit. signature has to be on a white paper
paper should not have any other color visible on it even a line
if there is a slight white space in picture on the sides they will refuse to accept it !!!!!
they need last page of everything passport pio
want to see printed screen shot of each and every page of online submission
all photocopies must be self attested
took over 3 hours to submit papers. $60
be prepared for several repeat visits.
so much for lifelong validity of PIO
My advice to those who just need a paper to go to india occasionally is to get 10 year passport and 10 year indian visa for $250.
I paid close to $500 for PIO so I wont have to interface with these assclowns for 15 years but *&^%$#
it is a curse to be born in that damn country