India extends entry deadline for Indian origin foreigners with PIO cards

June 11, 2024

By Expat Media

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India extends entry deadline for Indian origin foreigners with PIO cards

NEW DELHI – Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) or Indians who now have foreign passports will be allowed entry into India using their PIO cards until December 31, 2022. The deadline for entry using handwritten PIO cards has been extended for another year instead of December 31, 2021. The PIO cards, issued by Indian diplomatic missions, will need to be presented along with a valid foreign passport at the immigration check posts. However, authorities warned that the International Civil Aviation Organization could declare PIO cards as invalid, and holders will then need to get visas to enter India. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, all PIO cardholders with valid PIO cards must still apply to convert their card to Overseas Citizen of Indian (OCI) cards. OCI cards give foreigners of Indian origin all the rights in the economic, financial and education spheres that are available to Indian citizens except the right to vote in elections and in acquiring agricultural land. The OCI card is a lifetime visa allowing holders to visit India at any time and for any length of time. AHQ/Expat Media