Is PIO to OCI conversion Mandatory?

[mike300436]

Hi,
My kid is an American citizen born in 2013. We have applied PIO card for our kid and we travelled to India in 2014. During his travel his PIO card has been endorsed by Indian Immigration stating "LIFE LONG" REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. Now I heard that every PIO card should be converted to OCI, and I am not sure if it is true. Could some one Please let me know if he can travel on his PIO card or if the OCI conversion is mandatory then what should be the process and time it takes to get the OCI.
If the PIO to OCI is a mandatory process then I may have to take my kid to visa stamping as he need to travel some time in May or June.


Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

[proonindiandoc]

Hi,
My kid is an American citizen born in 2013. We have applied PIO card for our kid and we travelled to India in 2014. During his travel his PIO card has been endorsed by Indian Immigration stating "LIFE LONG" REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. Now I heard that every PIO card should be converted to OCI, and I am not sure if it is true. Could some one Please let me know if he can travel on his PIO card or if the OCI conversion is mandatory then what should be the process and time it takes to get the OCI.
If the PIO to OCI is a mandatory process then I may have to take my kid to visa stamping as he need to travel some time in May or June.


Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

is not mandatory but is recommended because PIO card may not valid after June 30th

[sunrag1]

Hi,
My kid is an American citizen born in 2013. We have applied PIO card for our kid and we travelled to India in 2014. During his travel his PIO card has been endorsed by Indian Immigration stating "LIFE LONG" REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED. Now I heard that every PIO card should be converted to OCI, and I am not sure if it is true. Could some one Please let me know if he can travel on his PIO card or if the OCI conversion is mandatory then what should be the process and time it takes to get the OCI.
If the PIO to OCI is a mandatory process then I may have to take my kid to visa stamping as he need to travel some time in May or June.


Thank you in advance for any information you can provide.

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

[proonindiandoc]

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

had been said and changed many times, you believe??

[sunrag1]

had been said and changed many times, you believe??

Now link shows its not valid post June 30th...

[mike300436]

Is PIO to OCI conversion Mandatory?

As per the link PIO is not valid for travel after 31st March.
Getting mixed information. Some sites shows June 30th is the last date some shows March 31st. So confused, I guess I may have to prepare for the visa stamping.

[mike300436]

Just came across the below, but it does not specify anything about travel

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PIO CARD HOLDER
PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09 January 2015. Applicants may apply for an OCI card ONLY.

30th June, 2016 will be the last day to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card.

https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices

[Des Pardes]

Just came across the below, but it does not specify anything about travel

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR PIO CARD HOLDER
PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09 January 2015. Applicants may apply for an OCI card ONLY.

30th June, 2016 will be the last day to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card.

https://www.in.ckgs.us/news-notices

From the link: 30th June, 2016 will be the last day to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card.

This means from July 1, 2016 one has to apply for fresh OCI. So called "OCI in lieu of PIO card" is probably worse than applying for fresh OCI for minors.

Nowhere it says PIO card is NOT valid for travel.

If CKGS was customer friendly, they will reply to such post. But their standard reply will be to contact them via email. Why not? They are profiting from this potentially unnecessary conversion process. So they will recommend, urge or even implore to convert to OCI.

[proonindiandoc]

From the link: 30th June, 2016 will be the last day to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card.

This means from July 1, 2016 one has to apply for fresh OCI. So called "OCI in lieu of PIO card" is probably worse than applying for fresh OCI for minors.

Nowhere it says PIO card is NOT valid for travel.

If CKGS was customer friendly, they will reply to such post. But their standard reply will be to contact them via email. Why not? They are profiting from this potentially unnecessary conversion process. So they will recommend, urge or even implore to convert to OCI.

ckgs won't know anything ahead of the announcement from the Embassy. but i am pretty sure the PIO card would still valid after June 30th. or another reschedule. requirements and information are gaven by embassy not ckgs, ckgs just a media.