Weeks left for Indian-origin Canadians to convert PIO to OCI card
Indian-origin Canadians (without Indian nationality/passport) have just weeks to convert their Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card to its new version, the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card.
Earlier this year, the Consulate General of India in Canada announced changes to the PIO card, the predecessor to the OCI card, which will only remain valid until the end of this year.
“Indian immigration will accept all Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards, along with a valid foreign passport, as a valid travel document till Dec. 31, 2025, or acceptance of handwritten PIO card by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), whichever is earlier,” the May 27 notice reads.
PIO cardholders were warned that no further extension would be given, and they would have to convert their PIO Cards to OCI cards by the Dec. 31, 2025, deadline. All PIO cardholders with valid cards as of Jan. 9, 2015, were advised to convert to the OCI format before the strict deadline.
“In the meantime, if any deadline is notified by ICAO, thereby making handwritten PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain [an] appropriate visa from the Indian Missions/Posts abroad for travel to India,” the notice further reads.
According to Bharat Suvidha, an Australia-based immigration firm that describes itself as a “trusted Indian Consulate companion,” the following are the key differences between PIO and OCI cards:
Bharat Suvidha
Digitized e-Arrival Card requirement
Recently, the Indian government also introduced a new travel measure: All foreign nationals visiting India are now required to fill a digitized e-Arrival Card using the Indian Bureau of Immigration website, the Indian visa website, and the official Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app, available on Google Play and the App Store.
Make sure you fill out the new online arrival form at least a few days before embarking on your journey. This process must be completed at least 72 hours before your arrival.
India does not allow its nationals to hold dual citizenship. Therefore, overseas Indians who have acquired foreign citizenship will also need to submit the e-Arrival Card, even if they hold an OCI card. Indian nationals are exempt.
Here’s what the e-Arrival Card looks like on the Indian government’s visa website:
Bureau of Immigration, Government of India
According to an Oct. 7 notice from the Consulate General of India in Toronto, “The facility of physical filling of e-Arrival Card will also continue up to a maximum of six months, or till further notice. However, it is advised to use the digital options.”