This is to inform that vide Gazette Notification No.26011/01/2014IC.I dated 09.01.2015, all PIO cards issued till 09.01.2015 are deemed to be OCI card. PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09.01.2015. All PIO applications, pending with the Mission for processing, are being returned to the applicants with a request to apply for OCI card on the same fee prescribed for the PIO card. Henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence.

In case the PIO card holder has new passport then he/she can travel to India on their new passport with the valid PIO card and old passport mentioned on the PIO card.

OCI Travel Advisory â€“ Re-issue of OCI Card (On getting a New Passport)

â€¢ For an applicant who is 20 years of age or younger, OCI documents must be re-issued each time a new passport is issued.
â€¢ For an applicant who is 50 years of age or older, OCI documents must be re-issued once after the issuance of a new passport. If the OCI card is issued for the first time after the age of 50 years, then there is no need for re-issuance of OCI.
â€¢ For an applicant who is 21 to 49 years of age, there is no need to re-issue OCI documents each time a new passport is issued. However, if the applicant desires, he/she can request that the OCI documents be re-issued so that the OCI documents reflect the correct passport number.
Please view the full requirements for OCI Re-issue for more information at the following link.

http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/GuidelinesOCI.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on OCI Card:

1.What are the Benefits for an OCI card holder:

An OCI card holder gets the following benefits:
i. A multiple entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India.
ii. Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India.
iii. Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
iv. OCI can be used as identity proof for application of PAN Card and driving licence as well as for opening a bank account if the OCI card holder is residing in India.

2.What benefits an OCI Card holder is not entitled to:

The OCI Card holder is not entitled:
i. to vote,
ii. to be a member of a Legislative Assembly or of a Legislative Council or of the Parliament of India,
iii. to hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court etc.
iv. He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government

3.Under what conditions should one apply for New OCI Card and Sticker:

(i) In case of issuance of new passport.
(a) For an applicant who is 20 years of age or younger, OCI documents must be re-issued each time a new passport is issued.
(b) For an applicant who is 50 years of age or older, OCI documents must be re-issued once after the issuance of a new passport. If the OCI card is issued for the first time after the age of 50 years, then there is no need for re-issuance of OCI.
(c) For an applicant who is 21 to 49 years of age, there is no need to re-issue OCI documents each time a new passport is issued. However, if the applicant desires, he/she can request that the OCI documents be re-issued so that the OCI documents reflect the correct passport number.
(ii) In case there is a change in personal particulars.
(iii) In case of loss/damage of passport and/or OCI booklet.
(iv) For correcting personal particulars entered wrongly while submitting online applications e.g name, fatherâ€™s name, date of birth etc.,
(v) In case of change of address/occupation.

In case of emergency, the applicant can continue to carry the old passport wherein OCI \'U\' visa sticker is pasted along with the new passport and the OCI booklet for visiting India.
*** It is important for the OCI card holder to carry the OCI booklet along with the passport having U visa sticker. Both these documents should always be in the possession of the OCI card holder while travelling to India.

4.Can foreign nationals, who are not otherwise eligible for OCI, get OCI if they are married to persons who are eligible for OCI?

The spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder 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.

5.Are Minor children eligible for OCI Card?

Minor children whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India are eligible for OCI Card.

6.Is an applicant who had held nationality of Pakistan or Bangladesh, eligible for OCI?

No, If the applicant has ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he / she will not be eligible for OCI.

7.Can a person renounce OCI?

Yes. He/she has to declare their intention of renunciation in Form XXII to the Indian Mission/Post where OCI registration was granted. After receipt of the declaration, the Indian Mission/Post shall issue an acknowledgement in Form XXII A. A separate application form is available for this purpose.

Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Card