PIO card validity after March 31, 2016

[tp2016]

Does anyone know if the PIO cards are valid for travel after March 2016? What are the options if a PIO card holder has to travel in April, 2016?

The information on the cgks and Indian consulates is confusing. In one place it says that PIO is valid for life and one can travel on the basis of PIO card, while it also says that the last date to convert apply for OCI-in-lieu of OCI is March 31, 2016. Even if we apply for OCI conversion now there is guarantee of how long it will take. The cgks customer service have no information on validity of PIO card after March 31,2016. I searched so many website but there is no real clarity on this.

[sunrag1]

Does anyone know if the PIO cards are valid for travel after March 2016? What are the options if a PIO card holder has to travel in April, 2016?

The information on the cgks and Indian consulates is confusing. In one place it says that PIO is valid for life and one can travel on the basis of PIO card, while it also says that the last date to convert apply for OCI-in-lieu of OCI is March 31, 2016. Even if we apply for OCI conversion now there is guarantee of how long it will take. The cgks customer service have no information on validity of PIO card after March 31,2016. I searched so many website but there is no real clarity on this.

Check Washington embassy site.. https://www.indianembassy.org/pages.php?id=21

The erstwhile PIO cardholder with valid PIO card as on 9 January 2015 will have to upload only the following documents with his/her application:

(a) Copy of the valid Passport

(b) Copy of the PIO card

The applicants can submit the applications online from anywhere. The grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on a gratis basis.


Also from http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/142

New Delhi, June 05, 2015CIRCULAR

This is to notify that submission of application for OCI card in lieu of PIO card is voluntary and optional. OCI card in lieu of PIO card can be applied at https://passport.gov.in/oci. All extant PIO cards will continue to be valid until further instructions on the matter are conveyed by MHA. 2. Endorsements stating that existing PIO cards are valid for life would be made at the first 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 - See more at: http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/....xd5jogkk.dpuf

[tp2016]

Check Washington embassy site.. https://www.indianembassy.org/pages.php?id=21

The erstwhile PIO cardholder with valid PIO card as on 9 January 2015 will have to upload only the following documents with his/her application:

(a) Copy of the valid Passport

(b) Copy of the PIO card

The applicants can submit the applications online from anywhere. The grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on a gratis basis.


Also from http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/142

New Delhi, June 05, 2015CIRCULAR

This is to notify that submission of application for OCI card in lieu of PIO card is voluntary and optional. OCI card in lieu of PIO card can be applied at https://passport.gov.in/oci. All extant PIO cards will continue to be valid until further instructions on the matter are conveyed by MHA. 2. Endorsements stating that existing PIO cards are valid for life would be made at the first 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 - See more at: http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/....xd5jogkk.dpuf

============================================================ ==============================
I have seen this info above, it is from Jun 2015. But on the https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices site it says that 31st March, 2016 will be the last day to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card. It also says below on that site that 'At this time, CKGS does not have any information on rules post 31st March, 2016' . So not sure if this just means that this is just the last date to submit applications for OCI-in-lieu of PIO (ie applying for OCI conversion with no-fee) or it does it also imply that PIO cards will be invalid after March 31. CGKS says that they don't have any information and asked to contact the Bureau of Immigration Services. BOI responds by saying that we should contact the local consulate.

[proonindiandoc]

Check Washington embassy site.. https://www.indianembassy.org/pages.php?id=21

The erstwhile PIO cardholder with valid PIO card as on 9 January 2015 will have to upload only the following documents with his/her application:

(a) Copy of the valid Passport

(b) Copy of the PIO card

The applicants can submit the applications online from anywhere. The grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on a gratis basis.


Also from http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/142

New Delhi, June 05, 2015CIRCULAR

This is to notify that submission of application for OCI card in lieu of PIO card is voluntary and optional. OCI card in lieu of PIO card can be applied at https://passport.gov.in/oci. All extant PIO cards will continue to be valid until further instructions on the matter are conveyed by MHA. 2. Endorsements stating that existing PIO cards are valid for life would be made at the first 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 - See more at: http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/....xd5jogkk.dpuf

submit to CG? good luck

[tp2016]

Still no clarification

============================================================ ==============================
I have seen this info above, it is from Jun 2015. But on the https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices site it says that 31st March, 2016 will be the last day to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card. It also says below on that site that 'At this time, CKGS does not have any information on rules post 31st March, 2016' . So not sure if this just means that this is just the last date to submit applications for OCI-in-lieu of PIO (ie applying for OCI conversion with no-fee) or it does it also imply that PIO cards will be invalid after March 31. CGKS says that they don't have any information and asked to contact the Bureau of Immigration Services. BOI responds by saying that we should contact the local consulate.

Still there is no clear information on the validity of PIO card after March 31. Some consulate sites says that we can travel in the interim by using the PIO card+valid passport until the OCI card is received, while some others mention that it is mandatory to convert to OCI. The ckgs guys don't provide any information on this, as they say they are not aware of the rules post March 31. Hope that some clear clarification is given on this very soon.

[proonindiandoc]

Still there is no clear information on the validity of PIO card after March 31. Some consulate sites says that we can travel in the interim by using the PIO card+valid passport until the OCI card is received, while some others mention that it is mandatory to convert to OCI. The ckgs guys don't provide any information on this, as they say they are not aware of the rules post March 31. Hope that some clear clarification is given on this very soon.

so far, had been informed pio card will be invalid for travel after March 31st.

[sunrag1]

so far, had been informed pio card will be invalid for travel after March 31st.

Where did u get this info?.. As per original circular and also from Modi's speech, existing PIO cards are valid for lifetime. How can some one change this rule without Modi's approval?

[indocan]

after March 31, PIO cards will be invalid.

[vvenamma]

Hi
I too on the same boat , I am travelling to india on April 8th 2016 , My child having valid PIO card .
Not sure still PIO is valid after March 31st 2016 .
Request to post if anyone having any information on it .
I did sent few emails to consulate of Atlanta for clarifications on it

[May2016]

Travel in April 2016

Hi,

I also have the same question. Can we travel on PIO card after 31st March 2016 ?
CKGS Houston and embassy says they do not have any info for travel after 31st March and it is best to apply for OCI. But in this short time period, it is risk to submit original passport for OCI.

[May2016]

Travel in April 2016 on PIO card

Hi,

I too have the same question. Can we travel on PIO card in April 2016 ?
CKGS Houston and embassy both say they do not have info for travel after 31st March and it is best to apply for OCI.
But given the short time period, it is a risk to send original passports for OCI application if we have to travel in April.
Any info will be appreciated.

Thanks,
May.

[vvenamma]

Hi,

I also have the same question. Can we travel on PIO card after 31st March 2016 ?
CKGS Houston and embassy says they do not have any info for travel after 31st March and it is best to apply for OCI. But in this short time period, it is risk to submit original passport for OCI.

HI ..
I have visited Atlanta Indian Embassy , they clearly mentioned that aftre 31 March 2016 PIO' s are not valid , however there are more chances to extend that date ..
if its not extended they suggested to apply for tourist visa for temporary travel

[sunrag1]

HI ..
I have visited Atlanta Indian Embassy , they clearly mentioned that aftre 31 March 2016 PIO' s are not valid , however there are more chances to extend that date ..
if its not extended they suggested to apply for tourist visa for temporary travel

So what about initial circular which says existing PIOs life long valid?. Is that statement by Modi/Embassy not valid anymore?

[May2016]

So what about initial circular which says existing PIOs life long valid?. Is that statement by Modi/Embassy not valid anymore?

Thanks for the information!
I hope the date extends...

[vvenamma]

So what about initial circular which says existing PIOs life long valid?. Is that statement by Modi/Embassy not valid anymore?

I did asked the same question to Embassy representative , they mentioned that after that there are many changes been happened .
finally last september indian govt decided that all must convert PIO to OCI before March 2016 , after that PIO's are not valid