Embassy of India

Doha, Qatar 

PRESS RELEASE 

WITHDRAWAL OF PIO CARD SCHEME AND MERGER OF PIO CARD

WITH OCI CARD

This is hereby informed that vide Gazette Notification No.26011/01/2014 IC.I dated 09.01.2015, 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 PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09.01.2015.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. The following may also kindly be noted in this connection:- 

(a)      The 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 been extended till 30 September 2015 . 

(b)      The applicants may submit the 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. 

(c)      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 30 September 2015 at https://passport.gov.in/oci. Process for applying OCI in lieu of PIO card is available at http://in.ckgs.us/oci/oci-categories/oci-in-lieu-of-pio-us-adult.shtml. 

(d)     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.

(e)      PIO cardholder can travel to India on the basis of their valid PIO card and valid foreign passport. 

(f)      In cases of erstwhile PIO cardholders, the new foreign passport number (when they get a new passport) will be endorsed on the existing PIO card till the person concerned is issued an OCI card in lieu of PIO card.