Q.950 PIO card validity for life

now - Get free OCI in lieu of PIO

Card

Question: Respected Sir / Madam, This is to reach out to you and find out the procedure for staying over 180 days in India, currently PIO card holder. Please note, I am enquiring this information for my son, who is a PIO card holder and adult, he would like to stay longer and his 180 days stay would complete in 3 weeks. Please advise the necessary steps. Your help is greatly appreciated. Looking forward to receiving your advise soon. Thanks for your help. Best Regards, Kanthi Durvasula Answer: Your son need not worry about staying in India more than 180 days. PIO card is now valid for lifetime of the holder provided that he/she has a valid passport. PIO card holders are exempted from the requirement of registration. Rules have changed: • All existing Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders registered as such under new PIO Card scheme 2002, shall be deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India Card holder’s. [as per the Gazette of India (Part-I, Section- I) published on 09.01.2015] • PIO Card validity will now be for lifetime. Same as OCI card validity. [as per the Gazette of India (Part-I, Section-I) published on 30.09.2014] • Your son also has the option to get his PIO card changed to OCI card free of cost. If your son needs further clarification he can contact the nearest FRRO office who would be able to guide him.