Vide Gazette Notification No. 26011/01/2014IC.I dated 09 January 2015 the Government of India had declared all PIO card holders with valid PIO Cards as on 09 January 2015 as deemed OCI Cardholders. As such, the PIO Card Scheme stands withdrawn. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has mandated use of machine readable electronic travel documents for travel w.e.f. 1 October, 2018. Therefore, it is incumbent upon PIO Card holders to obtain electronic machine readable OCI Cards in lieu of valid handwritten PIO Cards. However, the Indian Immigration Authorities will continue to recognize valid PIO Cards for entry/exit into/from India till December 31, 2021, along with foreign passport.
PIO Card holders were advised time and again to convert PIO Card to OCI Card and the last date of application for conversion of valid PIO card to OCI card on gratis basis was 31 December 2017. Remaining PIO Card holders are advised to immediately apply online for conversion at http://passport.gov.in/oci/ and submit print of application, passport, specified photos, documentation, fees etc at the High Commission of India, Lusaka for issue of OCI card in lieu of PIO card.
