10 year tourist visa or a PIO card better value?

[vickh]

My wife was born in USA, not of Indian descent so I will not be using her page on my family OCI application (me and son)

Can she still apply for a 10 year tourist visa? or is a PIO card better value?

Can she "convert" PIO card to an OCI card?

trying to avoid repeated applications/fees.

Is it true that OCI card is lifelong so no more fees ever??(me and son atleast)

[curtdfw]

Can she still apply for a 10 year tourist visa? or is a PIO card better value?

Yes, she can still apply for a Tourist visa. The PIO is more expensive initially, but carries more privileges: No 180-day limit on stays in India, no 2-month gap between visits, she can work, own property etc. The big question might be 'How much time do you anticipate spending in India?' If you plan on brief visits every year or two, the Tourist visa is probably enough. For inheritance purposes, investments etc., or planned longer stays, the PIO makes more sense.

Can she "convert" PIO card to an OCI card?
trying to avoid repeated applications/fees.

No - OCI is only for persons with Indian heritage.

Is it true that OCI card is lifelong so no more fees ever??(me and son at least)

Yes - unless the GoI changes its mind...

[vickh]

thanks

Here's why I asked:
A Tourist visa is given to those visiting India for tourism or other non-business related purposes.

Per requirements of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, persons of Indian origin, his/her spouse and dependent children will be granted only an Entry visa and should not apply for a Tourist visa.

[curtdfw]

Oops, you're correct -- I was thinking that the change only applied to Indian-origin spouses and children.

This makes the PIO a better option, I think. X visas have a maximum time of five years, so the fees for two of those is nearly the same as for a PIO card with 15 years validity, and you won't have to mess around with renewals as often.

[vickh]

You're right.


What're the fees/rules for expiring US passports and PIO/OCI cards.

I wish India wouldn't need to use the US passport sticker at all! but my head is spinning with all these babu raj rules...

[andy2011]

help needed on PIO status for wife and daughter

sir,
i have a Filipina wife and a daughter, i want to take them to India with me permanently, but the embassy in manila is giving them a tourist visa valid for 6 months only, so can i take them to India on tourist visa and apply for PIO cards in New Delhi, Please help, i m too much worried. what should i do?