PIO Has been Discontinued / Not eligible for OCI

[suryathati]

HI,

I went to CKGS center Yesterday(Jan 19th) to apply for PIO card for my Son who was recently born in USA.
CKGS person said they are no longer accepting PIO applications as PIO scheme has been discontinued.
Also for OCI , they said either of the parents must have US passport to apply for OCI card.
Me(work visa) and my Wife(student visa) are Indian Citizens and do not hold a US passport.

Only option i see is apply for Entry Visa , which will be given for 5 years (for infant) .
We are planning to move to India permanently and what i see from the website is
"The validity of an India Entry Visa will be for the visa duration granted to the principal visa holder
Further extension of up to 5 years may be obtained from FRRO in India on a yearly basis up to a maximum period of 5 years."

Any one in similar situation... Can someone please advice what will be the best option for my situation.

[usa7605]

Oh no.. I am also in the same boat.. Can anyone please help..

[USGC14]

HI,

I went to CKGS center Yesterday(Jan 19th) to apply for PIO card for my Son who was recently born in USA.
CKGS person said they are no longer accepting PIO applications as PIO scheme has been discontinued.
Also for OCI , they said either of the parents must have US passport to apply for OCI card.
Me(work visa) and my Wife(student visa) are Indian Citizens and do not hold a US passport.

Only option i see is apply for Entry Visa , which will be given for 5 years (for infant) .
We are planning to move to India permanently and what i see from the website is
"The validity of an India Entry Visa will be for the visa duration granted to the principal visa holder
Further extension of up to 5 years may be obtained from FRRO in India on a yearly basis up to a maximum period of 5 years."

Any one in similar situation... Can someone please advice what will be the best option for my situation.

That appears to be wrong info. You should be able to apply for son's OCI. Since they discontinued PIO cards, they expanded the categories of people who can apply for OCI, hence everyone who was eligible to apply for PIO should be eligible to apply for OCI card.

[vikram110585]

That appears to be wrong info. You should be able to apply for son's OCI. Since they discontinued PIO cards, they expanded the categories of people who can apply for OCI, hence everyone who was eligible to apply for PIO should be eligible to apply for OCI card.

Agree...The website says one can apply for OCI. I have a newborn and was about to apply for PIO when I realised that PIOs are no longer being accepted.

I have an appointment scheduled for the 23rd with CKGS to apply for an OCI. My wife and I are both Indian passport holders. Hopefully its not an issue. Will let you know how it goes on Friday

[Gagandeep Sharma]

HI,

I went to CKGS center Yesterday(Jan 19th) to apply for PIO card for my Son who was recently born in USA.
CKGS person said they are no longer accepting PIO applications as PIO scheme has been discontinued.
Also for OCI , they said either of the parents must have US passport to apply for OCI card.
Me(work visa) and my Wife(student visa) are Indian Citizens and do not hold a US passport.

Only option i see is apply for Entry Visa , which will be given for 5 years (for infant) .
We are planning to move to India permanently and what i see from the website is
"The validity of an India Entry Visa will be for the visa duration granted to the principal visa holder
Further extension of up to 5 years may be obtained from FRRO in India on a yearly basis up to a maximum period of 5 years."

Any one in similar situation... Can someone please advice what will be the best option for my situation.

Hi Surya, dont worry there are many like you who applied or were planning to apply to PIO ( I applied, my application will be sent back). When i called CKGS call center, they said they havent got information from embassy on how to handle OCI cases like us, but they will update the website once they get the information. If you are planning to go to India in next 6 months, better go with Entry Visa and you can apply for OCI from India, if there is still time, wait for a month or so, they should update their website.

[ranarula]

Agree...The website says one can apply for OCI. I have a newborn and was about to apply for PIO when I realised that PIOs are no longer being accepted.

I have an appointment scheduled for the 23rd with CKGS to apply for an OCI. My wife and I are both Indian passport holders. Hopefully its not an issue. Will let you know how it goes on Friday

vikram110585, please let us know how the appointment went. Also I am not clear what has to be provided as
COPIES OF PARENTS PROOF OF RENUNCIATION
NATURALIZATION CERTIFICATE

when my minor son was born in US and both of the parents are Indian citizens