Can I Use a PIO Card to Travel to India?
Yes. All OCI/PIO cardholders are permitted to travel to India irrespective of their nationalities.
A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (except a national of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal):
- who at any time held an Indian passport;
- who or either of their parents/ grand parents/ great grandparents was born and permanently resident in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935, and other territories that became part of India thereafter, provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the aforesaid countries ( as referred to above);
- Who is the spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.
Indian Immigration will accept all Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards (even handwritten ones) coupled with a valid foreign passport as acceptable travel documents until December 31, 2024, rather than the previous cutoff of December 31, 2023.
Benefits of a PIO card
- PIO card holders do not require a visa to visit India for 15 years from the date of issue of the PIO card.
- They are exempted from registration at FRRO/FRO if their stay does not exceed 180 days. If the stay exceeds 180 days, they shall have to register with FRRO/ FRO within the next 30 days.
- They enjoy parity with NRIs in economic, financial, and educational benefits, such as:
- Acquisition, holding, transfer, and disposal of immovable properties in India, except agricultural/ plantation properties;
- Admission of children to educational institutions in India under the general category quota for NRIs, including medical and engineering colleges, IITs, IIMs, etc.;
- Various housing schemes of LIC of India, State Government, and Central Government agencies.
However, PIOs do not enjoy employment rights in the Government of India services, nor can they hold any constitutional office in the Government of India. They need prior permission to undertake mountaineering, missionary activities, research work, and to visit restricted areas in India.
