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Recent changes announced by the Government of India for OCI and PIO

cards.

Changes that take place for OCI with immediate effect

The President of India, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has promulgated the Citizenship &Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 on January 06, 2015. The following are some of the changes made to the Indian Citizen Act, 1955 that come into effect immediately: • Enables the registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) of a minor, whose parents are Indian Citizens. • Allows the registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) of a child or a grand-child or a great grandchild of such a citizen. • Allows for the registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) by such spouse of a citizen of India or spouse of an OCI registered under Section 7A and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application under this section. o On condition that for the eligibility for registration as Overseas Citizen of India card holder, such spouse shall be subjected to prior security clearance from a competent authority in India. • Relaxation of the one year continuous stay requirement for Indian Citizenship if Government is satisfied that special circumstances exist. The government may relax the period of twelve months specified up to a maximum of thirty days which may be in different breaks. • To view the Govt notification click HERE

Changes that take place for PIO cards

As of January 9, 2015. PIO card scheme has been withdrawn by the Government of India. All existing PIO cards will be now deemed to be OCI. • Applicants now cannot apply for PIO cards and have the option of applying for OCI. • Those who have already applied will probably have their applications returned and asked to apply for OCI. • In case the PIO card holder has new passport, they can travel to India on their new passport with the valid PIO card and old passport mentioned on the PIO card • To view a copy of the Govt notification click HERE

No Requirement to Transfer OCI Visa to New Passport

The requirement to carry your old passport showing the OCI ‘U’ visa has been discontinued by the government of India. As of January 29, 2015. The previous requirement to carry the old passport with U visa stamp along with new passport and the OCI booklet has be changed. Now OCI holders can simply carry their OCI booklet as proof of their OCI status. To view a copy of the letter sent by the ministry of home affairs regarding this click HERE