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Extension of timeline for handwritten travel documents (PIO Cards)

Posted on: January 03, 2024 | Back | Print

Extension of timeline for handwritten travel documents (PIO Cards)

PIO Card Validity Extended up to December 31, 2024

1. Indian Immigration will accept all Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards (including handwritten ones) along with valid foreign passport, as valid travel document till December 31, 2024, instead of earlier deadline of December 31, 2023.

2. Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards (which were valid as on January 9, 2015) valid for exit from/entry into India till December 31, 2024. This extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the meantime, any deadline is notified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) thereby making handwritten PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain appropriate visa from Indian Missions/Posts.

3. All PIO cardholders (handwritten and machine-readable) are meanwhile advised to convert their PIO card to OCI card before this deadline.

4. It is informed that OCI Applications are accepted only on Wednesdays between 09h:30m - 12h:00m with prior appointment through the link https://www.eoilisbon.gov.in/apt/index.php. Non-Portuguese applicants have to live in the jurisdiction of this Mission for at least one year before applying OCI Card.

5. For more details, please visit https://www.eoilisbon.gov.in/page/oci/

6. In case of any other specific queries related to PIO to OCI conversion, please email oci.lisbon@mea.gov.in