PIO and OCI

Non-Resident Indians (NRI), Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) are the three major categories in which the people from India go and live abroad can be categorised.

While NRIs is essentially a term used for Indians that live in another country, PIOs and OCIs are people who want to stay connected and involved with India more closely.

Simultaneous existence of PIO and OCI cards led to confusion among People of Indian Origin residing abroad. Thus, merging PIO and OCI will lead to simplification of the rules under a single umbrella. It would facilitate visa-free travel to India, rights of residency and participation in business and educational activities in the country. This is aimed at simplifying the visa-free entry for people of Indian origin into India.

The merger of the two cards could make PIO cardholders eligible for benefits already enjoyed by OCI cardholders. Merging of the two cards will also facilitate travel of Indians staying abroad and their participation in various activities in India.

PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN (PIO) CARD

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

Or
who or either of their parents/ grandparents/ great grandparents was born and permanently resident in India as defined in 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 above);

Or
Who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO

Benefits of a PIO card-

• PIO card holders do not require a visa to visit India for a period of 15 years from the date of issue of the PIO card.

• They are exempted from registration at FRRO/FRO if their stay does not exceeds 180 days, In case if the stay exceeds 180 days, they shall have to register with FRRO/ FRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Officer / Foreigners Registration Officer) within the next 30 days.

• They enjoy parity with NRIs in economic, financial and educational benefits like:- Acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India, except agricultural/ plantation properties.

• Admission of children to educational institutions in India under general category quota for NRIs, including medical and engineering college, IITs, IIMs etc.

• Availing Various housing schemes of LIC of India, State Government and Central Government agencies.

• Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational field. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.

• All future benefits that would be exempted to NRIs would also be available to the PIO card holders.

• No separate “Student Visa” or “Employment Visa” required for admissions in Colleges/Institutions or for taking up employment respectively.

• Separate immigration counters are provided at all International airports in India for PIO card holders.

• However, PIOs do not enjoy employment rights in Government of India services nor can they hold any constitutional office in the Government of India. They need prior permission for undertaking mountaineering, missionary activities, research work and to visit restricted areas in India.

Obtaining of Indian Citizenship: One can apply after regularly residing in India for a minimum of 7 years.

Drawbacks of PIO card-

It does not provide voting rights to the holder. Prior permission is needed to undertake mountaineering expeditions or any such related research work in protected areas.

OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA (OCI) CARD 

A foreign national,
(1) Who was a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950;

or
(2) who was eligible to become a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950;

or
(3) who belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947;

or
(4) who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of such a citizen;

or
(5) who is a minor child of such persons mentioned above;

or
(6) who is a minor child and whose both parents are citizens of India or one of the parents is a citizen of India;

or
(7) spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application.

is eligible for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).

No person, who or either of whose parents or grandparents or great grandparents is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify, shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder.

Benefits-

• OCIs are entitled to a multipurpose, multiple entry, lifelong visa allowing them to visit India at any time, for any length of time and for any purpose.

• They are exempted from police reporting for any length of stay in the country.

• They have also been granted all rights in the economic, financial and education fields in parity with NRIs except, the right to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.

• Special immigration counters are provided at all international airports in India for OCI card holders.
• An OCI card allows to apply for a driver’s license, PAN card or open a bank account in India. They get same economic, financial and educational benefits like NRIs and can also adopt children.

Obtaining of Indian Citizenship: After 5 yrs. of issue of OCI, one can apply after residing in India for a minimum of one year.

Restrictions for OCI card holders-

An OCI card holder cannot vote, hold a government job or purchase agricultural or farm land. The person can also not run for public office or travel to restricted areas without permission.

Common benefits-

1. Separate lines at immigration counters.
2. No visa required for studies.
3. At-par treatment with NRIs in matters regarding to property acquisition, holding & disposal, except agricultural and plantation properties.