Q706. OCI/PIO card merger? - PIO

card holders now exempt from

registration

Question: Dear Sir, According to the news the PM has said that the PIO and OCI cards will be merged as of October 2014. I am a PIO card holder but am not able to confirm this information. I have called the FRRO office in AP but was not able to receive a response. I arrived in India in the first week of October and need to register with FRRO before 180 days are over. If the merger is true then do I still need to apply for OCI card? What is your advice in this situation? With kind regards, Miriam Answer: Not sure where you got the October 2014 date for OCI/PIO card merger. I think this will take a litte longer to implement than October 2014! As far as your question of FRRO registration is concerned, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India Notification (GAZETTE NOTIFICATION NO.25024/9/2014-F.I. DATED 30 SEPTEMBER 2014) • The Validity of PIO Cards will now be life long. Even PIO cards that have been issued before the notification date ie: Sept 30, 2014 will be deemed to be valid for life time as long as the holder has a valid passport. • PIO card holders will now be exempt from the previous requirement of police reporting/registration, even if their visit exceeds 180 days. Hope this answers your question.