PIO to OCI Conversion - general questions

[suharsh]

Hi all - I have a PIO and I do know that before December I need to get it converted to OCI. some quick questions:

- what is the typical conversion time for PIO to OCI .. hope it is faster.
- is it done in US or do documents and process go back to India?
- I can't recall if I have the renunciation certificate or not ... can these be done in parallel?

Thanks in advance.

[kachda]

We just completed the PIO conversion to OCI.


- what is the typical conversion time for PIO to OCI .. hope it is faster.

Typical time is about 60 days even if advertised far less number of days. For us it took about 70 days.

- is it done in US or do documents and process go back to India?

It has to be submitted to the local (US/Canada/Europe) BLS outsourced agency. However, the form has to be filled online and all documents to be submitted online. The photographs and signatures are submitted digital with very stringent requirements. For us it was given back by BLS multiple times. The dimensions and file sizes are very important. Please check BLS site and passport site for details.

[suharsh]

We just completed the PIO conversion to OCI.


- what is the typical conversion time for PIO to OCI .. hope it is faster.

Typical time is about 60 days even if advertised far less number of days. For us it took about 70 days.

- is it done in US or do documents and process go back to India?

It has to be submitted to the local (US/Canada/Europe) BLS outsourced agency. However, the form has to be filled online and all documents to be submitted online. The photographs and signatures are submitted digital with very stringent requirements. For us it was given back by BLS multiple times. The dimensions and file sizes are very important. Please check BLS site and passport site for details.

Thanks for the information. Had you already renounced your passport in past or you did that with the conversion?

[kachda]

Thanks for the information. Had you already renounced your passport in past or you did that with the conversion?

This is the information I received from the consulate. If you become a citizen of any other country, you need to surrender Indian passport as soon as possible. I am not sure about the time limit but you have to do it immediately. They cancel the passport and cut the corners and give it back to you.

If you are asking about PIO card (which some people call as passports), then you need to provide the PIO card along with your non-Indian passport for obtaining OCI card when they complete the processing and update the status in website for you to submit. You have the option to request PIO card back in which case, they cancel and give it back to you along with new OCI card.