The deadline for converting Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to OCI card has been extended. The Indian Immigration will accept all PIO card (including handwritten PIO cards), along with valid foreign passport, as valid travel document till December 31, 2022, instead of earlier deadline i.e. December 31, 2021.

This extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the meantime, any deadline is notified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) thereby making handwritten PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain appropriate visa from Indian Missions/Posts. It may, however, be ensured that the PIO card is valid at the time of travel.

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