Good news! The deadline for foreign citizens of Indian origin to convert their PIO cards to OCI cards has again been extended. Earlier, the government of India had set December 31, 2023 as the deadline. 31 December 2024 is the new deadline for the Person of Indian Origin cardholders to acquire the Overseas Citizen of India card, according to the latest press release by Indian Missions worldwide. Precisely, all PIO cards including the handwritten ones will remain valid travel documents for one more year.
All PIO cards including the handwritten ones will be accepted by the Indian immigration authorities at all airports until December 31, 2024, in compliance with the extended deadline for PIO card to OCI card conversion. All PIO cards will continue to be a valid travel document for entry into and exit from India. But, Indian Immigration Check Posts will not accept any PIO card, machine readable or handwritten, without a valid foreign passport.
The latest extension of the PIO to OCI card conversion deadline is subject to a condition for the handwritten PIO cardholders. If the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) issues a new deadline any time before December 2024, the validity of handwritten PIO cards will expire, thereby making it compulsory for them to get converted into machine-readable cards. Or else, the handwritten PIO cardholders will have to get an appropriate visa from Indian Missions.
To be precise, the deadline extension for conversion of handwritten PIO cards to OCI cards is conditional. All Indian-origin foreign citizens holding PIO cards, machine readable and handwritten, make sure to convert their PIO card to an OCI card in the meantime. Since the process takes 3-4 months, the sooner the better.
Also Check: Everything about Travel to and from India in 2024
Is it mandatory to convert PIO card to OCI card?
Yes, it is. All Person of Indian Origin Cardholders are deemed to be OCI Cardholders in India’s Citizenship Amendment Bill 2015. Hence, you need to convert your PIO card to OCI card before or by December 31, 2024. Until then, your PIO card is valid for travel to and from India.
What is the PIO card expires before September 2020? Is it still
Valid for travel to India?
As far as i know pio card is lifetime validity Even though your pio card might have a expiry date mentioned.
A FRRO officer in bangalore confirmed.
However please arranged to have it converted to oci immediately
Washington first secretary of Indian Embassay confirmed that expired PIO are valid till 31st Dec 2021.
Has anyone actually travelled with expired PIO?
Yes i habe terrible time my. Pio Shoes expiry June 2022
Emirates Gave hard time They dint honor Govt
circular i called immigration police in Mumbai
They called Toronto airport then they alllw me fly
also i have hard time com6 back
BLS international is nkt efficient. now alsi you can’t book appointment for oci
Thanks for the timely article! I am travelling in November and I expected this to happen (given the COVID backdrop). Indian Eagle always brings timely news to the community. Cheers to your team!!
Varun – If your PIO has expired – you obviously need a visa or a new OCI card.
Hi Nik! Your feedback made our day. We are honored to be appreciated. Thank you very much!
BLS international in Toronto ., Brampton is pathetic
i.trying to get an appointment for oci but no luck
Alll appointment slots are book till end of Feb 2023
Govt is shameless even after outsourcing
Outsourced company BLS act as. govt officer
who suffer honest people who lined up fke hours and hours
every must write to ministry of external affairs about this issues
Hi, its been a while since this is posted, but I heard that expired PIO is still valid to visit India and people are able to use it – especially if there’s Covid emergency. Could you please comment? In essence. PIO was being treated as OCI and had no expiration date (with the last extension being till December 2021).
Hi Andy! This is already mentioned in the article “All PIO cards including the handwritten ones are acceptable to Indian immigration authorities at all airports until December 2021, in compliance with the extended deadline for the conversion of PIO card to OCI card. All PIO cards will continue to be a valid travel document for entry into and exit from India.”
Can you post a source link for the extension to 2021?
I cannot find any reference to this extension via googling
Hi Sam! We publish only authentic information from authentic sources. Please click the website of New York India Consulate General to see the news.
I am travelling in November 2020. My son is holding a pio card, he is minor. Can he travel with his valid pio card?
Hi Vandana! Yes, your son can travel.
thank you for the news about PIO validity till Dec 2020.
Can you please confirm if the PIO card number can be used as equivalent to the OCI card to travel in Nov/Dec 2020. If so then can the PIO card number used in place of the OCI card to register to the required sites.
Hi Anand! As far as we know, PIO cardholders are eligible to travel to India till December 2021. Please be advised to make further queries to the nearest Indian embassy or consulate for your satisfaction. Thanks for reaching out to us!
Good morning,
I have a ticket booked through you to India travelling on December 17th.
Do I need OCI card to travel and how do I get that. Also, do I need any other paperwork since I will be stopping in London and New Delhi to change flights to Ahmedebad.
Hi Hemangini! If you are a US citizen (without OCI card and tourist visa), you can travel on British Airways via London Heathrow. What we mean is if you are a US citizen or a spouse of the US citizen, you don’t need an OCI card to travel to India via London. You need to fill out a self-declaration form on Air Suvidha. You can take a RT-PCR test just before 96 hours of your flight from the first port of departure in order to get exempted from institutional quarantine in Ahmedabad. Please feel free to write or call us if you have any other concern.
Indian government changed these deadlines multiple times in last 5 years. Don’t worry, they will extend till 2050.
There is a typo at the end of the article. It says Dec 2020 instead of 2021. Can you please correct or let me know if it is error in my understanding.
Line to be updated:
“Hence, you need to convert your PIO card to OCI card before or by December 31, 2020. Until then, your PIO card is valid for travel to India.”
Hi Ajay! Thank you very much for bringing the typo to our notice! It is December 31, 2021. We corrected the mistake.
Hi,
We converted my Kids PIO card to OCI couple years back. But the OCI has his old US passport number. Do we need to get the OCI extended per the new passport? I heard OCI is onetime and can use it by showing the old passport while travelling? is in’t it true?
thanks
HI Raj! Up to the age of 20 years, an individual needs to get his/her OCI card reissued whenever his/her passport is renewed. However, June 2021 is the new deadline to get the OCI card reissued. So you kids can travel to India with the OCI card having the old US passport number. For details please go through https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/relief-for-oci-card-holders/
My wife has a PIO card valid till July 7, 2021. Does she have to complete the travel by this date or can she she arrive in India by that date and stay in India past that expiry date?
Hi Sam! PIO cardholders can travel to and from India until December 31, 2021 without converting the PIO card to OCI card.
Meine Tochter hat eine PIO karte .darf sie fliegen?? Nd date of issue 2011 .das geht?
My daughter has a PIO card valid until 2029. He passport expired and she has a new passport. She does not have new passport number in PIO. We have an urgent need to travel Can we travel on that PIO card. She is 6 years old
Hi Aziz! She may be able to travel given she carries her both new and old passports.
Hi…. Just double checking.. is this valid for adults as well? I currently have a valid PIO attached to my old passport. I am 35.. and desperately need to get back. I am based in the UK. If yes, where can I find proof of that reference in case I need to show it at the border. Many thanks for your help.
It is valid for all PIO cardholders.
Many Thanks…In that case do I even need my old passport?… Might it be sufficient to have my current passport even if the PIO isn’t registered to it.. I’ve had my PIO way into my 20s?
Hi Fabrice! You need to carry both the old and new passports.
where can we apply OCI? Recently the Indian Embassy contract with CKGS has completed? Now what is the alternate source?
Hi Sailaja! Please go through this news article https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/ckgs-to-stop-oci-passport-visa-services/
Hi,
My son’s PIO Card date was for February 2020. Is it still valid for traveling? I heard all PIO Cards are valid till 12. 2021
Thanks
Hi Arjun! Yes, all PIO cards are valid till December 31, 2021.
Sir,
My Son is Minor , US Citizen and he is in India only, His PIO card was Expired in Corona Period, now how can and what can and where can I’ll renew his PIO card or OCI Card to get it
Hi Pushpa! Please be advised to contact your nearest Indian consulate.
Hey folks, I have a PIO card attached to an old passport, and am currently looking to travel from the UK to Bangalore. In the COVID related section of the UK government’s India travel advice website, it starts off saying OCI and PIO are valid for travel during pandemic. But in then it also says after that OCI’s are free to travel during the current travel suspension, but now no mention of PIO. On the civil aviation.ind.gov air bubble list, it also says OCI are allowed to travel as of right now from UK and USA, but no mention of PIO.
My questions are:
Is my PIO still valid if its attached to my old passport?
If so, can I travel with it atm instead of OCI while flights are technically suspended
Do all of these still apply to the fact that I am specifically travelling from the UK?
Many thanks
F.
can my husband travel on handwritten pio card to india?
Hi Prachi! Yes, he can.
I have PIO card Valid till 2024. I learned that I can still travel to India till December 2021. I hope I am right.
If I go in November Or December 2021, Can I come back to USA in January 2022 or there will be problem at Mumbai airport?
Thanks
Dilip.
Hi Dilip! If the deadline is not extended further, there might be some problem.
Hi,
My minor daughter’s PIO has expired. Should i apply for a New OCI Registration or OCI Registration (In Lieu of PIO card). which type of OCI should i apply ?
Hi Sathya! You should apply for an OCI card for your daughter.
Hi,
Can you use PIO card for travel, even if you get an OCI? or does PIO become invalid once the OCI card is issued?
Hi Dimple! Once the OCI card issued, the PIO card is not valid.
Any chance OCI renewal for new passport will be extended until December 2021?
Hi Beenu! The deadline may be extended beyond June 30, 2021 given the unprecedented circumstances.
Thanks. I hope so. It is taking so long to just get the OCI renewed. It should be a much easier and streamlined process.
Hello Indian eagle,
Thank you for posting the timely info on PIO. Some consulates ( NY ,DC) have updated information on PIO extension till dec 31,2021 where as Other consulates such as Houston still have old information. Will that be superseeded ? or we can rely on NY,DC consulates info.Since I reside in Texas this is making me terrifc.
Of course and Finally we totally rely on your site info as first choice but still want to get over things
Hi Sailaja! Thank you for appreciating us! We make sure to provide authentic information. You can rely on the NY Consulate General and the Indian Embassy DC.
Hi Indian Eagle,
Thank you for this information.
My son has a valid PIO (expires 2025) and we also have a multiple entry tourist visa for him. We used the visa to visit in 2019 but now noticed on indian embassy site that tourist visas are not allowed during covid. We want to travel in June, so not sure if we have enough time to convert PIO to OCI.
Sounds like we should be good to travel with his PIO card, right?
Also, would you happen to know how long it takes once we apply for PIO to OCI conversion?
Thanks!
Hi Nitin! Until December 31, 2021, you can travel with your PIO card. Hope the ban on tourist visa to India will be lifted in April or May this year.
Hi my daughter (15yr) has a 5yrs tourist visa but rest of the family has oci/pio and we are planning on traveling to India this June, is she able to travel with us?
Hi Bindu! Currently, tourist visa to India is suspended. The ban on tourist visa may be lifted in April 2021. If lifted, your daughter will be able to enter India in June.
My minor children’s’ US passport was renewed and is not linked to their OCI. I plan to travel in May, and may not have enough time to link it to their OCI. Both kids have PIO cards, OCI card. Can we travel to India with PIP and their existing OCI?
Hi Sangeetha! Yes, They can.
So we carry PIO, OCI and US passport. Will there be any issue that OCI is not linked to their new US passports?
Thank you
My son’s pio card expired on March 16 2021. Is it still valid to travel? It is a hand written Pio card.
Hi Vatsala! All PIO cards including the handwritten ones are acceptable to Indian immigration authorities at all airports until December 2021, in compliance with the extended deadline for the conversion of PIO card to OCI card. All PIO cards will continue to be a valid travel document for entry into and exit from India. But, Indian Immigration Check Posts will not accept any PIO card, machine readable or handwritten, without a valid foreign passport.
Hi sir my daughters poi card has expired.
I took poi card out in 2014 so I’m sure on websites it says valid for 15 years.
So can they travel ?
Hello, My daughter’s PIO card expired last year, can she travel to India in June this year with an expired PIO card? Or should i have to convert to OCI?
I am worried that if I convert to OCI now, I wont receive the OCI card before my planned travel dates for early june?
Hi Anand! No, your daughter cannot travel to India with an expired PIO card.
Get a visa instead !
Hi. Have a friend who needs to convert PIO to OCI. As there are gaps in the passport expiry and new passport , the FRRO has asked her to regularize the gaps online at http://www.indianfrro.gov.in. Can you give me some hints as to how to get around it.
Hi Stephen! Sorry but we have no idea.
Hi we are in USA and My son’s PIO expires in 2023, and I understand he can travel to India as of today on PIO until Dec 2021.
The only issue is that his PIO has a reference of old US passport number, and we have lost that old passport, however we do have his new US Passport. Can he is still travel to India ?
Hi Shalabh! Please go through this https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/relief-for-oci-card-holders/. We are not sure whether this relaxation applies to PIO cardholders.
Hey was your son able to travel? My case is the exact same so would appreciate some insight. Thank you
Hi Rahul! If your son has both passports old and new, he can travel to India with the existing PIO card. In case his old passport is lost, be advised to contact the Indian Embassy or consulate and check with them.
MY son is a minor and has a PIO card that expired last month. HE has a tourist visa but that’s on his old passport as we had to get a new passport for him when he turned 15 earlier this year. Can we travel to India on his PIO in December 2021 (even though it’s expired) or will they accept his existing tourist visa also?
I am thinking of applying for OCI but may not have enough time until December so am confused as to what is my best path here to visit India in December.
Thank you for your help.
Hi Nitin! Neither the expired PIO card nor the tourist visa will be accepted for entry to India. FYI, the tourist visa to India is currently suspended. In view of the current circumstances, your son needs an entry X visa to travel to India.
Hello,
My son is a minor with a valid PIO (expires 2024). We urgently need to travel in Nov, 2021. The PIO reference to his old US passport. We have both the old and new passport. We have been planing for a PIO to OCI conversion but I am not sure if we have enough time for it. Can he still travel ?
Hi Dev! Your son can travel to India with his PIO card and both passports. But he may have to leave India before December 31 because the PIO card must be converted into the OCI card by December 31, 2021.
Thanks a bunch indianeagle for the quick response. Much appreciated.
Is the Dec 31, 2021 deadline for filing the application or you need to have OCI in your hand by that time ? Do you (or anyone) know what is processing time for PIO to OCI conversion these days ?
8-10 weeks – see https://www.cgisf.gov.in/page/FAQs-O/
Hello, My son’s PIO card is valid till 2028. We are planning to travel to India from Sanfrancisco on Dec 20th and Return on January 4th 2022. Since PIO cards are valid till Dec 2021, our entry to the US should not be a problem. I am hoping, it will not be an issue to depart from India to US on January 4th 2022. PLease let me know. thanks, Sid
Hi Sid! It won’t be an issue.
Hello Indian Eagle,
I have a PIO card and want to travel to India urgently next week. Whilst my PIO card is still valid, the passport number on it, is my old passport which is lost. Am I still ok to travel with my new passport and the PIO?
I do have a photocopy of the old passport.
Many thanks
Hi Rosh! OCI cardholders don’t need to carry their old passports until December 31, 2021. We are not sure whether this relief applies to PIO cardholders. https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/relief-for-oci-card-holders/. Please be advised to check with the Indian consulate or embassy in your jurisdiction.
Thank you very much!
We are on the same boat, a PIO card bearing a expired passport.
I had emailed Houston Indian embassy, but they are not answering the question.
We are traveling soon and OCI processing time cannot be accomodated right now.
Do you happen to get an answer?
Hello Indian Eagle,
My daughter has a PIO card. She plans to travel to India around Dec 24, 2021 and leave India on Jan 6, 2022. Since the PIO card is now valid till Dec 31, 2021, will the above dates work; or does she have to leave India by Dec 31st.
Thank you.
Hi Dinesh! She does not have to leave India by December 31.
My daughter and I are Canadian citizens. I have an OCI and my daughter has a PIO card. We are planning to travel to India in December first week and return first week of January. Wil they allow her to board the flight to canada after Dec 31, 2021 since the deadline is done for the PIO card.
Thomas! Your daughter will be able to travel back to Canada, as the OCI or PIO card has nothing to do with her Canadian citizenship.
Sorry, I think I may not have been clear in my question. Since her PIO card becomes invalid after 31 Dec 2021, when she needs to travel back, should we obtain an exit permit or regular visa?
When I went to apply OCI card, the FRRO Officer in Mumbai confirmed that expired PIO’s are valid till 31st Dec 2021 and we can travel with it.
Hello I have two questions :
1. My daughter who is a US Citizen has a paper x-1 multiple entry visa till 2023May ..Can she travel to India on Dec 12th 2021 and come back on Jan 13th 2022 to USA ? Is the paper X-1 MULTIPLE Entry visa allowed to travel to India ?
2) My second daughter has a PIO card valid till 2027 can she travel to India on Dec 12th 2021 and come back on January 13 th 2022 since the Date for PIO is 31st December ..will there be any problems in coming back to USA ?
Can you please help answer these as we have to book tickets on Air India
Hi Rituu! The X-1 multiple entry visa is valid for travel to India. Your second daughter will be able to travel back to the US because the PIO card has nothing to do with her US citizenship.
Hello Indian Eagle,
This is for my cousin who is a minor with US passport and PIO card who has been living in India. So in this case how and where do we apply for OCI card within India. Any links to the process would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Dinesh! Please be advised to visit https://ociservices.gov.in/ for more information.
My kids have an expired PIO card, and we have to travel to India next month. I heard that PIO cards are valid till end of 2021. Can we still travel with expired PIO card? We do not have time to get a OCI card now. Please advise.
Hi Sri! If you are planning to travel to India on or after November 15, you can apply for a tourist visa (e-visa) for your kids’ travel to India. Please go through https://www.indianeagle.com/travelbeats/india-tourist-visa-resumption/.
I have PIO expiring in 2027 and a current US passport. I want to travel to India in November and be back in December. I understand that the validity of the PIO is extended to December 31, 2021. Can I travel to India with PIO? Or do I need to get another visa? Also, my PIO has my “expired” US passport number; would this present any problem if I carry the old passport as well as the current passport with me. Thanks.
Hi Naval! You can travel to India with the PIO card having the old passport number until December 31, 2021.
Thanks for the information. I am flying Emirates from Orlando to Hyderabad on November 8th; would the Emirates staff at the Orlando airport be aware of the revised eligibility/expiration of the PIO card? Should I anticipate any “trouble” at the airport? What, if anything, can I carry with me to the airport to avoid any hassle? Should I contact Emirates ahead of time to confirm their awareness of the new PIO expiration? Is there a way to get this noted on my “PNR” to preclude any aggravation at the airport?
Hi, i have a PIO card that is valid till 2028, I am in the USA. When i traveled to india in 2018, immigration offer at delhi airport told me that the PIO card would not work anymore and i should convert it to an OCI, which I neglected to do. So in 2019, when i had to travel, I got a tourist evisa, since I assumed my PIO wouldnt work.
Now i need to travel again on Nov 5th to india for my mom’s surgery and applied for the tourist visa which is only valid from nov 15th. So I googled around, and found your site which says my PIO is valid. I’m going to use that to travel, but am wondering what I should do with my tourist visa which i just applied for – should i cancel it or just ignore it, since its not valid till the 15th anyway,
Thanks!
Hi Ellisa! The entry relaxation for PIO cardholders was announced in September 2020. You will find the same update on the website of any Indian consulate or Embassy in the US. Please be advised to take a screenshot of the same update from the consulate or embassy website and show to the immigration officer if you face any problem.
My daughter’s PIO cared is expiring in 2024 as i know validity for PIO card extended to December 31, 2021. We are planning to visit India from December 15, 2021 to January 15 2022. (as i can assume we are good to enter the India but when we try to go back to USA, PIO will expire). Could we not come out of India with expired PIO deadline?
Hi Raj! Your daughter will be able to travel back to the US. The PIO card has nothing to do with her US citizenship.
I am flying Emirates from Orlando to Hyderabad on November 8th; would the Emirates staff at the Orlando airport be aware of the revised eligibility/expiration of the PIO card? Should I anticipate any “trouble” at the airport? What, if anything, can I carry with me to the airport to avoid any hassle? Should I contact Emirates ahead of time to confirm their awareness of the new PIO expiration? Is there a way to get this noted on my “PNR” to preclude any aggravation at the airport?
Hi,
My son has a USA passport and a PIO Card. We plan to. be in India from 19th Dec to 3rd Jan 2022. When we enter India his PIO will be valid but when we leave India on 3rd Jan 2022, it will be expired. Would he be able to enter Usa without any issue?
Hi Kunjal! He will be able to enter the US. The PIO has nothing to do with his US citizenship.
I have the same question as Kunjal and Raj. My son will be traveling with a valid US passport and a valid PIO card on Dec 15th to India and coming back from India to US on 05 Jan 2022. Will he have an issue with exit from India? The language around PIO card validity from Indian Embassy says
“Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO card valid for exit from/entry into India till December 31, 2021 as last and final opportunity.”
Does that mean a valid OCI card is needed for exit from India after 31 Dec 2021 and you may not exit with an ‘invalid’ PIO card?
Hi –
What does it really mean “Convert your PIO to OCI by december 31 2021” – what if I dont convert by December 2021? (as I need to travel to india and dont want to submit my passport for conversion process at this point)
Do I need to re-initiate the process of getting the OCI card from scratch? (after my travel)
Currently me, my wife have PIO cards (are US Citizens) and our daughter is a US citizen with multiple entry tourist visa Our travel dates are Dec 15 2021 to Jan 5 2022.
Can I assume – me and my wife can travel with our PIO card (valid until 2025) and for my daughter we apply for new multiple entry e-visa
Hi Alan! PIO cardholders can enter India through December 31, 2021. We are not sure whether PIO cardholders can exit India after December 31.
We are passport holders of Netherlands with OCI. My daughter became 20 years old this year and has got a new passport. We understand that she has to get her OCI re- issued by Dec31, 2021.
Can she travel to India with her existing OCI, attached to earlier Netherlands passport before Dec31, 2021?
Can she stay in India for few weeks beyond Dec 31, 2021?
Hello – I have a similar question as few others here. Daughter has a valid PIO card until 2024. We plan to enter India Dec 11 and return Jan 12. Since, PIO card is accepted only until Dec 31, 2021.
– Will we have an issue even to leave the US as authorities may check our return ticket?
– If not, will we have an issue to exit India on Jan 12?
Few responses here indicate there should not be an issue to exit India as PIO card has nothing to do with a US citizen returning back but the response on 10-31 is a bit concerning.
‘Hi Alan! PIO cardholders can enter India through December 31, 2021. We are not sure whether PIO cardholders can exit India after December 31’
Please advise with the latest information. Really appreciate all the hard work and information on this website.
Also, if it may be an issue what is the quick alternative?
Thanks a ton !
Raj
Hi Raj! We crosschecked the website of Indian Embassy USA, where it is clearly mentioned – “Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO card valid for exit from/entry into India till December 31, 2021 as last and final opportunity.” We found the same information on the website of Indian Consulate, Mexico. You can check here https://indianembassyusa.gov.in/pages/Mjc.
Thank you very much for the quick response.
I understand it may not be a problem to enter India before Dec 31 but would it be a problem to exit India on Jan 12, 2022?
Regards,
Raj
Is there any further extension to convert pio to OCI? Looking at the condition it is not safe to travel with kids..
Hi Amrata! The timeline for the conversion of PIO cards (including handwritten ones) to OCI cards is extended until December 31, 2022.
I have the same question. I am in India right now using a PIO card and may need to extend my stay into early January. Will I be allowed to leave the country after Dec 31?
Maybe pio cards will be extended further I hope so
My son has US passport and staying in India with me. Passport was renewed for him in India. Now the PIO is already expired. So while filling in PIO to OCI conversion application, is this expired PIO still considered valid?
Hi Shraddha! We are not sure whether the expired PIO is valid or not. You can apply for an OCI card instead of converting the expired PIO card into an OCI card.
https://www.hcilondon.gov.in/page/pio-card/
Hi, My relative’s daugter US passport was valid for 5 yrs only post birth, that they earned after long delayed when she got 10 yrs old now. She has a valid handwritten PIO card and residing in India for last 9 yrs. Does she need to convert pio into oci and where to contact? Where to contact if she needs indian passport now? Is it necessary to renew US passport, kindly suggest agency to take help from?
So does that mean that i can travel on a valid PIO card to India until Dec 31-22 ?
Hi Kumari! Yes, you can.
My kids have PÍO card with expiry date in 2024
We are planning to Travel in June 2022
Can we travel on PIO without change to OCI
Hello! All PIO cards are valid until DEC 31, 2022. They must be converted into OCI by December 2022.
Having read the whole thread of questions and replies, I am still none the wiser about whether expired PIO cards are still acceptable. Some people have commented that they have been told that all PIO cards (expired or not) are valid to travel to India as long as travel with PIO cards is allowed. This kind of makes sense as PIO cards were declared valid for life. So as long as Indian Foreign Office keep extending the requirement to convert a PIO to OCI (currently extended till 31/Dec/22), travel with an expired PIO card must be possible. However, I’d like this to be confirmed. Do you know of anyone who has traveled to India with an expired PIO card successfully?
Have filed to convert my Son’s PIO card to OCI.
He was issued a PIO in 2007.
We travelled to India in 2009/2010 and since then been living in India.
Since then son has had 3 Passports.
There is a gap between the passports 1,2 (Approx 150 days) and then again between 2 and 3 (Approx 100 days) where his US Passport expired.
I am been told by agent that we will have to buy/pay for and Indian Visa during these gaps.
Is this correct.
To simplify with Example.
PIO was issued in 2007 and valid till end of 2022 (this year)
PIO was issued on US Passport X (2007) which expired in 2012.
The New US Passport we applied was in 2012 after about 150 days of expiry of the initial one. Reason the US consulate advised us not to travel because of security issues and as they were visiting Pune themselves at the US Center and granting people visas in person.
The second Visa expired in 2017 we again applied for renewal which was issued in 2018 about 100 days after the expiry of the Passport.
PLEASE ADVISE
Hi Sanjay! We would have been happy to help you out, but we are little knowledgeable of your scenario. Kindly be advised to post your query on some forum.
Hello Sir/Madam
We are travelling to India in June/July 2022 and one of my kid has handwritten PIO, Handwritten PIO cards are still valid?
regards,
AK
Hi Milind! All PIO cards including the handwritten ones will be accepted by the Indian immigration authorities at all airports until December 31, 2022. Kindly be advised to verify the same with the Indian consulate in your jurisdiction.
Hello,
I’m travelling to India on June 14, and have a PIO card issued in 2008 and showing validity till 2023. I know that PIO cards are valid till December 2022 however I have my old passport number on the PIO card. Will this be an issue?
Hi Rahul! In our knowledge, it is not an issue if you carry both your passports old and new along with the PIO card. You can contact the Indian Embassy or Consulate for more reliable information.
Hi,
I have an expired in 2019and handwritten PIO Card. Is it valid for traveling to INDIA in June,2022
Hi Prasad! Handwritten PIO cards are valid for travel to and from India this year. Kindly be advised to verify this with the Indian Embassy or Consulate.
Hi, I have applied for conversion of PIO to OCI in US. I have booked ticket to fly To India. Now VFS is requesting for original PIO . If I share my PIO card then how can I fly to India? If I apply for e-visa then there is no option to fill details regarding previous visit to INdia on PIO status.
What should I do ?
Hi SM! We have little knowledge of this scenario. Be advised to contact the Indian Embassy or a consulate.
Hi,
Did you find the info regarding PIO details on evisa? I am in same situation.
My Son PIO card is expired and we are planned to travel this week. Can he still travel on expired PIO card?
Hi Manjula! Indian-origin foreign citizens cannot travel to India with the expired PIO or OCI card. Be advised to get your son an e-tourist visa to India if the travel date is around the corner.
Hello fellow citizens, I have been trying to get an answer for the past 2 months if someone can travel to India with an expired PIO card and I finally got an answer from CGI-San Franciso. Here’s their response.
Dear Applicant,
If PIO card is expired, you can not travel with existing PIO card.
There is no process to update PIO card with latest US Passport. For PIO to OCI conversion, please refer to https://visa.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/ind/apply-oci-services
PIO to OCI conversion timeline is extended till 31-Dec-2022.
I’m glad I made the decision to get the e-Visa. If you’re wondering what info to enter on the previous Visa details, Choose ‘Visit Visa’ as the Visa Type and enter the PIO number as the Visa Number along with the Place and Date of Issue and you should be set. I got the e-Visa for my daughter within a day.
Hope this helps anyone who has been wondering about both expired PIO card and what info to enter on the e-Visa.
Hi Panduranga! You got the right information. If your PIO card has expired, you can’t travel to India.
Hi,
My PIO is valid but I am coming back on Feb 9, 2023 so not sure if I can travel back with my PIO. I am trying to apply for eVisa for safer travel but there is one specific question, where they are asking for if I travelled india in past and with what visa type. I travelled with PIO but i dont see that option in visa type. Do you remember what option you chose while submitting the application? I tried calling visa helpline but no one is picking up.
I recently enquired with multiple government authority as my Son is Traveling this week.
1. All PIO card (even if they are expired) are valid till 31st December 2022 to enter / exit India if they were valid as of 2015. Confirmed by India FRRO as well as Indian Embassy in Washington.
2. PIO to OCI conversion needs to be done before the same time once the journey is performed.
3. In case of exit from India or applying for OCI, If there is a gap in passport validity of the card holder (Could not renew due to COVID), it has to be regularized by applying at https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/
Hi Anand! Thanks for sharing this information with the readers of our portal.
Hello.
I am travelling to India on Dec 9th and coming back on Dec 23rd 2022. I have a valid PIO till 09/05/2027.
Can I travel with that ?
Neeraj
Can I enter India with PIO card before 31st December and exit from India in January 2023 on the same? I will not get time in India to convert from PIO to OCI.
Hi Nandini! You can travel to India with your existing PIO card before December 31, 2022. Whether you will be travel out of India on the same existing PIO card, it depends on airlines.
I have a PIO that expires in 2024. I plan to travel to India on December 21st 2022 and return back on January 10th 2023. My concerns are:
1. PIO are considered as valid travel document until December 31st 2022. My departure from India is in January 2023. Will this be a problem?
2. I have not applied for OCI. Am I required to apply for OCI before my travel to India?
Hi Andy! We’re not sure whether you will be able to travel out of India with the PIO card in 2023. Even if you apply for an OCI card now, it will take time to be issued.
Hi,
I have my son’s PIO card that is valid till 2029. I am traveling to india on Dec 27, 2022 and returning back on Feb 9. 1. Can I travel back on Feb 9 with my PIO?
2. I am too late to get OCI, can I apply for visitor visa for backup. I see in e-visa application they have one question where i need to add details for travel history visa type and they dont have PIO option. No one is picking up phone so dont know my options.
Hi,
My son’s PIO card is valid till 2028. We are leaving for India on Dec 25, 2022 and starting back on Jan 16th. Since there is no update on extending PIO validity, I went ahead and applied for e-Visa and got it granted within 12 hours. I chose Visit Visa for previous travel history visa type. Hope it is helpful.
Hi,
My son’s PIO card is valid till 2028. We are leaving for India on Dec 25, 2022 and starting back on Jan 16th. Since there is no update on extending PIO validity, I went ahead and applied for e-Visa and got it granted within 12 hours. I chose Visit Visa for previous travel history visa type. Hope it is helpful.
Hi Krishna! What you did is absolutely right. If PIO validity does not extend beyond 31 DEC 2022, your return travel may be jeopardized.
Why would return travel beyond 31 DEC 2022 be jeopardized if a PIO card has nothing to do with US citizenship?
Is there any news/update as to whether PIO card validity will be extended beyond December 31st, 2022? Thank you.
Hi Suresh! The validity has been extended for one more year.
You mean my son can travel to India in Jan 2023 with a unexpired pio card. Can you please post a link to the news or article where the extension of validity is extended till 2023 Dec.
Hi Kiran! We share only authentic updates through our portal. You can also check with the Indian Embassy/Consulate.
My son PIO card has expired and I want to apply for OCI card…which options should I choose from below..
New OCI Registration
OCI Registration (in lieu of Valid PIO-Card)
OCI Registration (in lieu of Lost PIO-Card)
Appreciate your help!
My 12 year son holds a PIO card (issued in US) with expiry of Jan 2026. This PIO was issued when he was born in 2010. Since then we have reissued his US passport twice. He currently has a valid US passport but the Passport number in the PIO card is different than the current valid Passport. We are in current in India but planning to visit outside India and then return back to India. Will he be allowed to enter India with this PIO card? The photo on this PIO card is his birth photo. We have applied for OCI card but highly unlikely to get before we travel
Appreciate your response.
Hi Amit! It’s a bit complex scenario. In our knowledge, travel to and from India is relaxed until 31 December 2023 for PIO cardholders. It is advisable that your son carries his old and new passports along with the PIO card until the OCI card is issued to him. You can also seek guidance from the Indian Embassy or Consulate.
Hello, I booked tickets through Indian Eagle for our trip to India in July 2023. We are US citizens and have OCI, except my oldest child who is 12 years old still has a PIO which is valid until 2026. His US passport was renewed 2 times already. His PIO was issued almost 12 years ago has his baby photo. Do we need to update his PIO with the consulate? Or can he travel with this PIO card and take his old US passports along with us.
Thank you so much for your time!
Vidya
Hi Vidya! It’s great to know that you are among our valued customers. We would have been happy to help you out, but we have little knowledge of whether the PIO card issued 12 years ago should be updated with a new photo of the user. Hence, we recommend checking with the Indian Embassy or Consulate. Good luck!
One of my relatives has a PIO card(he does not have an OCI card). His current PIO card is valid until 2028.
As of now, the PIO card is going to be accepted at any Indian port of entry until Dec 31st, 2023.
He needs to travel to India in November 2023, so his PIO card will be accepted at the time of his entry. That is not a problem.
The problem is that he needs to return in January 2024. What does he need to do, other than apply for an OCI card, at the time of his exit from India in January 2024, if a PIO card not going to be accepted at the port of departure after Dec 31st, 2023?
HI Apurv! We have little knowledge of this topic. It is recommended you contact the Indian Embassy/Consulate to get your query addressed. Thank you!
There is a delay in obtaining an OCI card for our minor daughter. The application for OCI was submitted before the expiration of the PIO card, but it is currently in pogress for various reasons.
Currently, the PIO card has expired while the OCI application is still in progress. Should we anticipate any challenges or problems, or is it fine to wait until the OCI process is finished with an expired PIO card
Thanks for the informative article. Could u help with the query below?
Child got a hand written PIO while in the USA after birth. Child traveled to India and has been residing in India for 10+ years. Child is now 16+. Child’s PIO has expired few months back. We want to get OCI for child but only have these two options for OCI for PIO holders
1. OCi in lieu of valid PIO
2. OCI in lieu of lost PIO
Also, it is adviced that PIO holders 16 years and above need to report to local FRRO.
1. Can you confirm correct process to convert PIO to OCI? Which option to choose?
2. Are existing PIO automatically considered as OCI and therefore dont expire?
3. Is reporting to FRRO required basis of above as OCI holders do not need to report to FRRO?
Hi Deep! PIO cards are not automatically considered OCI cards. You need to apply for an OCI card officially. Since your child is not an OCI card holder, reporting to FRRO is necessary. However, we are not an expert in dealing with the PIO/OCI information. Be requested to consult some expert.
Can ANYONE answer this question?
One of my relatives has a PIO card(he does not have an OCI card). His current PIO card is valid until 2028.
As of now, the PIO card is going to be accepted at any Indian port of entry until December 31st, 2023.
He needs to travel to India in November 2023, so his PIO card will be accepted at the time of his entry. That is not a problem.
The problem is that he needs to return in January 2024. What does he need to do, other than apply for an OCI card, at the time of his exit from India in January 2024, if a PIO card not going to be accepted at the port of departure after Dec 31st, 2023?
Hi Apurv! We have little idea of this scenario. It is recommended that you contact the Indian Embassy or a Consulate for the accurate information.