On 9th January 2015, the Person of Indian Origin Card (PIO) and scheme was withdrawn by the Government of India and was merged with the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card scheme. The PIO Card needs to be converted to an OCI Card.
PIO Cardholders can use their PIO Card to travel to India until 31st December 2021. Effective from 1st January 2022, PIO cardholder’s entry to India will be refused.
Persons with OCI Card were not eligible for an Inner Line permit. They have to apply for a Protected Area Permit and Restricted Area Permit, online. OCI Cardholders need to register with the FRRO upon every change of their Permanent home address or occupation.
To perform certain activities and visit certain areas in India. OCI Cardholders are required to obtain Special Permission from concerned authorities to undertake certain activities in India. In order to make it convenient to such OCI Cardholders, a separate sub-portal under the name “Apply for Special Permission (Only for OCI cardholders)” has been created in the Online OCI web portal at https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome. The link has detailed instructions as well as documents required to be submitted. The link would facilitate such OCI Cardholders to apply for Special Permission.
Durban
09 December 2021
