India Extends Acceptance of PIO Cards as Valid Travel Documents Until December 2023

In a press release issued on Monday, the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, stated that India had extended the deadline for accepting the handwritten PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) cards until the end of 2023.

What is PIO Card?

PIO cards, or Persons of Indian Origin cards, are issued to individuals who are not citizens of India but have previously been citizens of India, or who are the spouse of a citizen of India. Holders of the PIO card can apply for long-term visas, exemption from reporting to the police while in India, and the ability to purchase certain types of property in India.

It is worth noting here that, the PIO and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) categories were merged by the Indian government in 2015, and people who were previously designated as PIOs are now considered OCIs.

Acceptance of PIO cards as a valid travel document

The press release issued by the Indian Embassy stated that the Government of India will continue to accept PIO cards as valid travel documents along with a valid foreign passport and PIO cards will remain valid for entry/exit into India till December 31, 2023.

It is important to note that the extension of the deadline for accepting handwritten PIO cards as a valid travel document is conditional on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) setting a deadline that would render handwritten PIO cards invalid, in which case PIO card holders must obtain an appropriate visa from the High Commission of India prior to departing for India.

The extension of the deadline for accepting handwritten PIO cards as valid travel documents is good news for PIO card holders because it gives them more time to get a new PIO card or convert their existing handwritten PIO card to a machine-readable card.

To avoid delays or issues while travelling to India, the High Commission of India advises PIO card holders to apply for a new card or convert their existing card as soon as possible.