PIO cards not valid for travel to India after March 31, 2016

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Confused_Canadian
Member since: Jun 08

Posts: 40
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 25-02-16 11:33:23

Pardon my understanding of this. I have pio card issued for my child in 2005. does it mean its deemed to be oci, as per cgi quote below.can I travel to India with the PIO card without doing anything.

If I have to to convert pio to oci, has anyone done it in this forum.?. can you advise the procedure please.

Quote:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PIO CARDHOLDERS

This is to inform that all PIO cards issued till 09.01.2015 are deemed to be OCI card."

"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"

FOR CANCELLATION."
***

meitsme
Member since: Feb 06

Posts: 476
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 25-02-16 13:50:16

My kids have PIO card (15 years validation).

It is really a pain to apply for OCI. If I have to go through the process only once, I would convert PIO to OCI now.

The problem is when kids getting new passport (every 5 years) before age of 20 years, we have to go through the same process again and again for OCI.

I prefer to keep PIO for now and use it for travelling. I would apply for OCI only once when kids will be 20.

Does it make sense? OR Am I missing anything? OR Am I misunderstanding new rules?

Thanks in advance...

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Success is Never Ending and Failure is Never Final.

AshwaniG
Member since: Jul 04

Posts: 1484
Location: Convinient
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 25-02-16 14:42:12

Here are the guidelines ( expiry unknown and need to be verified )

1. Up to the completion of 20 years of age, OCI documents have to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued to the holder as the physical appearance changes.

2. Between 21-50 years of age, there is no need to seek re-issuance of OCI documents each time a new passport is issued. You can travel with new passport, Old passport (where OCI visa sticker is affixed) and OCI card. It is always better to be on the safer side and get the new OCI card as we often forget to carry our old passport while travelling. This is suggested as OCI card holder will have mental peace.

3. After the completion of 50 years of age, OCI documents have to be re-issued once after issuance of a new passport and whenever physical appearance changes.

P.S: My kids who are under 20 have traveled to India on expired PP with OCI stickers without any issues.

Quote:
Originally posted by meitsme

My kids have PIO card (15 years validation).

The problem is when kids getting new passport (every 5 years) before age of 20 years, we have to go through the same process again and again for OCI.

Thanks in advance...

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Growing Old Is Mandatory ..Growing UP is Optional

Full House
Member since: Oct 12

Posts: 2677
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 25-02-16 19:54:53

Quote:
.

P.S: My kids who are under 20 have traveled to India on expired PP with OCI stickers without any issues.

Quote:
Originally posted by meitsme

Thanks in advance...

Come on Ashwani ji.. You and your kids traveled with VALID Passports to India. ALSO carried the expired Passports with OCI Stickers for entry. That makes more sense, because you got entry and now returned back to tell us that. CORRECT ?! (Some time back they were fussy!)

Confucious says.. To know what you did and to know what you know is WISDOM. You are a smart man McGee.!!

FH.

Long time ago I used to see world travelers from India with a bunch of all kind of coloured Passports and I used to wonder what they were. Now I know.. Some of them had VISA entries in them and so they carried all of the old ones too. (May be a few were OLD British Issues)

cdn_dude
Member since: Dec 05

Posts: 942
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 25-02-16 22:02:40

Quote:
Originally posted by meitsme

My kids have PIO card (15 years validation).

It is really a pain to apply for OCI. If I have to go through the process only once, I would convert PIO to OCI now.

The problem is when kids getting new passport (every 5 years) before age of 20 years, we have to go through the same process again and again for OCI.

I prefer to keep PIO for now and use it for travelling. I would apply for OCI only once when kids will be 20.

Does it make sense? OR Am I missing anything? OR Am I misunderstanding new rules?

Thanks in advance...

I agree - 100%. I am doing the same thing - plan to keep my kid's PIO card till it expires. The rules are changed many times and it is pain to deal with it.

meitsme
Member since: Feb 06

Posts: 476
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 26-02-16 09:50:35

Thanks cdn_dude for confirming.

Do you think we have to take any action at this point?

Sudesingh mention two options (see below) in his one of the response. Do you think we need to take any action?

-------

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.

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

Full House
Member since: Oct 12

Posts: 2677
Location:
Post ID: #PID

Posted on: 26-02-16 11:31:06

I can see the urgency in getting a stamp on the PIO card/passport and get it VALIDATED for the LIFE TIME. That will close the case for the time being.

So, knowing what to do, PLEASE do not waste any more time discussing this point.

FH.

Contributors: meitsme(5) cdn_dude(5) tamilkuravan(3) sudesingh(2) Full House(2) Pramod Chopra(1) AshwaniG(1) MAK1(1) Chamgadad(1) kulb(1) mkannuri(1) Confused_Canadian(1)

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