The latest update is that PIO cards are valid till 30 June 2016. They have given us 3 more months from March end.

But PIO cards needs to be changed into OCI cards as soon as possible.

It looks like PIO cards may be obselete after 30 June and people who have PIO may be required to get visa's.

Also the PIO to OCI convertion need not take place at the consulate that it was issued. This is to help people who have permanenently resettled in India, like me and my brother and have no immediate intention of returning to Canada.

There is also a possiblity that in the past, some airports might have stamped LIFE LONG stamp into the PIO cards.

All confusion.

I will be starting my PIO to OCI change soon for me nephew. Luckily the FFRO office is just located in the next building that I work. I will let you know the progress. In the meantime, I would ask all the PIO owners to convert into OCI soonest

Murali.

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

-- Not sure where you get this "latest" information from - or may be as usual, each consulate is sending a different message.

CGI SF states that it is a rumor.

http://www.cgisf.org/page/display/30/231

Check the link and see the points mentioned there (see the details of the announcement made on May 22, 2015): I have cut and pasted them below:

"It has been brought to our attention that rumors are spreading among Indian Diaspora community members that PIO card holders are not able to travel to India with PIO CARD after June 18th, 2015."

"4. As conveyed earlier, endorsements stating that existing PIO cards are valid for life would be made at the first immigration point with which the card holder comes into contact, be it an Indian Mission, an FRRO or an immigration check-point. These endorsements/stamps would, however, not be mandatory."

Quote:

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Originally posted by tamilkuravan

The latest update is that PIO cards are valid till 30 June 2016. They have given us 3 more months from March end.

But PIO cards needs to be changed into OCI cards as soon as possible.

It looks like PIO cards may be obselete after 30 June and people who have PIO may be required to get visa's.

Also the PIO to OCI convertion need not take place at the consulate that it was issued. This is to help people who have permanenently resettled in India, like me and my brother and have no immediate intention of returning to Canada.

There is also a possiblity that in the past, some airports might have stamped LIFE LONG stamp into the PIO cards.

All confusion.

I will be starting my PIO to OCI change soon for me nephew. Luckily the FFRO office is just located in the next building that I work. I will let you know the progress. In the meantime, I would ask all the PIO owners to convert into OCI soonest

Murali.

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I recently travelled to india and got my son's PIO card stamped with "Life Time Valid" at immigration check point.
Initially the immigraiton people are reluctant and directed me to convert into OCI but i insisted them to stamp.

Hope this serves the purpose and no need to go to inidan embassy in my life time (Sick of the process).

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MK