About Us PIO card

PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn and vide Gazette Notification No. 26011/01/2014-IC.I dated 09.01.2015 (http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2015/162411.pdf)

Henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence.

It is pertinent to mention that erstwhile PIO cards are handwritten whereas the new OCI cards are machine readable. From October 2018, International Civil Aviation Organisation will accept only machine-readable travel documents. The existing PIO cards which are handwritten will, therefore, become invalid travel documents. PIO Cardholders those travelling to India on handwritten PIO Cards after March 31, 2020 will be refused entry at the Indian Immigration counters.

Applications for conversion of PIO cards to OCI cards can be submitted at the Indian Mission/FRRO concerned within the jurisdiction of applicant’s place of residence. Conversion of PIO card to OCI card will attract a fee of Euro 216 in addition to € 3 as ICWF Charges and € 18.51 towards Service Fee of Outsourced Service Provider, VFS Global.

CONVERSION OF PIO CARDS TO OCI CARDS :

All the existing PIO card holders are advised to apply for OCI Card in lieu of the PIO Card at Online OCI Services website. Online OCI Registration application form is to be filled in English, in accordance with instructions on the form (Parts A and B). A printout of the duly filled in form, along with the following, needs to be submitted to the Embassy’s sole service provider, VFS Global (www.vfsglobal.com/india/netherlands)

  • * Photographs – 4 (Four) recent color passport size photograph (about 51mm x 51mm), showing full frontal view of face against a white background, 01 photograph to be pasted on the application form & other 03 to be attached with the form.

  • * Original PIO card along with a photocopy of the first & last page, as well as any endorsements.

  • * Existing foreign passport (valid for 180 days) in original, along with a photocopy.

  • * For Minors, all the documents as above and an NOC from both parents for issue of OCI Card.

One can apply for OCI card in lieu of valid PIO card free of any charge till December 31, 2017. However, the applicant will have to pay the service charges (Euro 18.51) of the outsourcing agency. In case the PIO card is lost, applicant has to pay the fee of Indian Rs.5500/- (equivalent amount in Euros) plus the service charges of the outsourcing agency. No fee will be levied in cases where the applicant wishes to change the personal particulars viz., passport particulars, address, occupation etc. while submitting the application for OCI card in lieu of PIO card.