Do you find converting the PIO card to the OCI card overwhelming? Well, Visament is here to make this process easier for you. Our team of experts will navigate you to a path where you can get your PIO converted to an OCI card with confidence and no trouble.
Our team of professionals will assist you throughout from gathering the documents to submitting an error-free application for quick approval. We will make the process fast and easy and help make it hassle-free for you.
Converting a PIO card to an OCI card allows a former Person of India Origin (PIO) card holder to acquire an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. In the year 2015, the Indian government ceased the PIO card and called for PIO cardholders to change to OCI.
This switch aids travelers and residents by offering more substantial rights and easing the process of getting access to India.
Let us learn a little more about the steps, requirements, benefits, and converting a PIO to an OCI process.
Things You Need To Know About PIO and OCI Card
PIO Card stands for Person of Indian Origin, introduced in 2002. It was used as proof of identification granted to PIOs with passports in countries apart from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and China.
It permitted visa-free travel for people belonging to Indian origin who were residing internationally for a period of up to 15 years.
Although, it had some limitations on residency and employment rights. The government of India discontinued the PIO card scheme on the 9th of January, 2015, and combined it with the OCI card.
OCI (Overseas Citizenship Of India) card was introduced in the year 2005 in India to fulfill the demands of citizens who insisted on dual citizenship.
An OCI card provides visa-free travel for a lifetime, rights for residency, and access to some economic benefits which makes it a preferred option for people belonging to the Indian heritage.
With this scheme, an individual cannot have any second country's passport at the same time while holding an Indian passport even if a child is claimed as a citizen of some other country and required to use one of the passports of that country to travel abroad. Hence, an OCI scheme is not comparable to dual nationality or citizenship. In the year 2015, the government of India combined the two programs, ceased the PIO card, and permitted the PIO cardholder to Apply for an OCI card.
Even though a PIO card and an OCI card are almost the same, some factors differentiate an OCI from a PIO:
| Features | PIO Card | OCI Card |
| Visa-Free Travel | 15 years | Lifetime |
| Stay Duration | 180 days without registering | No limit |
| Eligibility | People of Indian origin | People of Indian origin |
| Validity | 15 years | Lifetime |
| Owning a Property | No agricultural property | No agricultural property |
| Seeking Employment | Limited | Extensive rights |
| Renewal | After every 15 years | No renewal is needed, updates (if required) |
| Current Status | Ceased in 2015 | Still active |
To get your OCI card converted into PIO you need to submit the following documents
Your valid and original PIO card.
Your current passport is from an eligible country.
Filled and completed the online application form.
Recent passport-sized photograph according to the specifications.
Proof of your Indian origin like a birth certificate document or any other proof.
Some additional documents like address proof or personal details may required to be submitted depending on your consulate or embassy.
It is advised to confirm with your nearest local consulate for any additional documents or get assistance from a visa service provider like Visament to clarify all your doubts.
Follow these steps to make the conversion process for PIO to OCI prompt and easy
The first step is to search for the OCI application started link and click on it.
Make sure to remember all the details before filling out the OCI in place of the PIO application form.
You will be able to see a widget on the CKGS website, it contains multiple categories from which you have to click on OCI instead of PIO to proceed further.
After you click, it will indicate some miscellaneous services whence you have to choose the miscellaneous services that apply to your case.
The following information will be displayed on the result screen:
Take a printout of the documents mentioned on the document checklist and fill out the application forms.
Recheck and review the letters and forms then go to the & My Accounts’ section and print the forms. Put your signature on the forms and letters.
You can either choose shipping or walk-in as a mode of submission
For shipping, you have to send your fully completed application form along with the documents and payments by shipping them to the CKGS application center of your jurisdiction.
For Walk-ins, you can continue online to proceed further to the appointment process and follow these steps:
You can pay online using a credit card at the CKGS application center.
The fees include OCI in place of PIO fees, Indian community welfare fund, CKGS Service fee, and any other additional fee.
Make sure that you have your credit card with you as the centers do not accept payment through cash or personal checks.
To resume, you will have to leave the CKGS website and go to the government online OCI website. After visiting the website, select OCI Registration (In place of PIO Card), and fill out the A and B forms. Ensure that your jurisdiction is the same as mentioned earlier in the process. Attach your photograph and put your signature on the form.
There are some specifications for a photograph that need to be followed:
Before uploading the photograph, ensure that it meets the below-mentioned conditions:
Here are the requirements for the signature:
Make sure to upload all the required documents on the Government of India website after filling out the form.
If you don’t have your documents prepared yet then you can come to the site later and submit them but ensure to return and upload the documents on the website.
You will now get a new web reference number from the government of Indian website. You can use this number on the CKGS website to track and get updates about the status of your application.
After completing and printing all the government OCI forms, return to the CKGS website and click on already filled in government form.
Add the new web reference number, CKGS web reference number, date of birth, and current USA passport number in the specified fields if you are an existing applicant.
Once you have finished the online process, the final step is to submit your physical application either via shipping or walk-in.
You can select the option that is convenient for you depending on your jurisdiction.
If you select the shipping option, the CKGS will drop you an email acknowledgment saying Received but not verified. Shortly after receiving your application package.
Do not forget that your application will not be processed until you submit the physical application package to the CKGS Application Center so make sure to visit the center with all your documents.
Before submitting keep these things in mind:
Visament is known for its affordability, we believe in providing high-quality service to our customers without them having to empty their pockets.
The total amount that you have to pay as a fee at Visament is € 60-100. Let us break the amount according to the expenses involved:
| Fee Type | Amount |
| Government Fees | € 66-120 |
| VFS Fees | €7.44-15 |
| SMS Charges | €1.44 |
| Validity | Lifelong |
| Number of Entries | Multiple Entry |
Processing of an OCI card involves two steps. Once the consulate in Delhi approves the OCI card and sticker, the applicant has to send the passport along with the fee receipt to the CKGS.
The processing time typically takes several months to process the card. However, converting a PIO card involves one step and takes almost 4 to 6 weeks to process.
Conversion of PIO to OCI card can generally take a few weeks to even several months. The time depends on the location and current demand.
Processing time is faster for those who apply by submitting complete details and relevant documents. You are advised to use this as your highest priority if you have any kind of urgency to avoid delays.
The process of converting the PIO card to the OCI card can be hard to deal with. With Visament PIO to OCI Conversion Help, this process can be done promptly with the help of our experts. Error-free applications, speedy approval, and professional assistance are our promises to you.
Get Expert help to Renew your OCI Card, OCI Card Application Process, convert PIO to OCI, and many more services without any hassle. Our mission is to assist in making the process smooth and stress-free for you.
Taxation laws vary from one country to another and mainly depend on the situation of individuals. It is advised to seek an expert in taxation laws. As for India, income earned in the country is always subject to taxation in India and the tax will depend on the cardholder’s status, whether he is ROR (Ordinary Resident), or RNOR (Not Ordinary Resident).
In the case of OCI cardholders, the spouse is not eligible to apply if he or she doesn’t belong to an Indian origin. Children of an OCI cardholder can apply if at least one of his/her parent is a foreign citizen of Indian lineage. For PIO cardholders, the spouse can apply whether they belong to an Indian origin or not, and children only whose parents are both Indian citizens can apply for a PIO card.
Any individual who was eligible to become an Indian citizen on or after January 26, 1950, belongs to any Indian territory after the 15th of August, 1947, or who is a child or grandchild of someone who meets these criteria is eligible to apply for an OCI card.
Both the OCI and PIO cardholders do not have to apply for a separate education visa. Children can enroll in any educational institution which comes under the NRI quota.
