OCI Card Application
- Processing Time: 5-6 Weeks
- Government Fees: $293.9
- Visament Fee: $100
- Validity: Lifelong
Convert Your PIO to OCI Card with Ease - Fast, Secure & Trusted!
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With Visament, convert your PIO card into an OCI card smoothly. We are India’s specialized PIO to OCI conversion service provider. Our team ensures an efficient, stress-free process, assisting you at every step of your application.
PIO cards are no longer valid in India, as this scheme has been withdrawn. As of 9 January 2015, the Indian Government announced the merger of PIO cards with OCI cards.
Unlike OCI cards, the PIO cards are not valid for a lifetime. They come with a validity of 15 years, requiring conversion or renewal to the OCI.
PIO cardholders need special permission to participate in certain specific activities.
If staying longer than six months, PIO cardholders face more complex situations in registration with the FRRO
Unlike OCI, PIO cardholders do not have parity with NRIs in the economic, education, and finance fields.
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 |
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.
➝ Visit the Government Online OCI Website
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.
➝ New Web Reference Number
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 the already filled-in government form.
Add the new web reference number, CKGS web reference number, date of birth, and current 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:
To get your OCI card converted into PIO you need to submit the following documents
| Document Type | Details |
|---|---|
| PIO Card | Submit your valid and original PIO card. |
| Passport | Provide your current passport from an eligible country. |
| Online Application Form | Fill out and complete the online application form. |
| Recent Photograph | Submit a recent passport-sized photograph as per the specified requirements. |
| Proof of Indian Origin | Provide proof of Indian origin, such as a birth certificate or other relevant documents. |
| Extra Documents | Additional documents, such as address proof or personal details, may be required by your consulate or embassy. |
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.
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.
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Helping Lumers streamline their workflow and deliver faster
I highly appreciate the support your team has provided during the OCI application process. Finding the best solution to complete my OCI card application process was a difficult task, but Visament made it so easy to apply for an OCI card online within the given time limits. Your team was really helpful in completing the whole application on time. Thank you for this support.
For my PIO to OCI conversion, I have only waited for a few days for the process of my conversion application, and after a few days, I got my OCI card. Impressed with such a quick and hassle-free processing from the Visament website.
I have filled out an Online application for my PIO to OCI conversion, for which I have filled all the details in the online form and attached all the documents for a smooth process of my PIO to OCI conversion.
Applied for an online PIO to OCI conversion for which I have given all the essential documents online, like the Photos, passport, and PIO card. All thanks to the Visament and its team for making my application so smooth.
Yes, an OCI (Overseas Citizens of India) can buy residential and commercial properties in India. However, they cannot purchase agricultural land, farmhouses, or plantation propertieis.
Yes, PIO cardholders can convert to OCI cardholders. As per the statement of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the existing PIO cardholders will automatically be considered as OCI cardholders, and if they want, they can apply for a separate OCI 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.
In terms of banking, PIO stands for Person of Indian Origin. It means a person who is a citizen of any country, except Bangladesh or Pakistan, but has ties to India, such as previously having an Indian passport or having Indian ancestry.
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