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Vide Gazette Notification No. 25024/9/2014-F.I dated 09.01.2015 (http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2015/162411.pdf), PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn and vide Gazette Notification No. 26011/01/2014-IC.I dated 09.01.2015 (http://www.egazette.nic.in/WriteReadData/2015/162411.pdf), all PIO cards issued till 09.01.2015 are deemed to be OCI card. Existing PIO cards are valid for travel to India and are valid for life. An endorsement to this effect could be made in the existing PIO cards at the first immigration point of India with which the card holder comes into contact or at Embassy of India, The Hague.
In case of acquisition of new passport by PIO card holder, he/she can travel to India on the basis of new passport with the valid PIO card, provided the new passport number is endorsed on the PIO Card. PIO card holders are advised to get the new passport number endorsed on their PIO cards at the Embassy of India, The Hague, till they have been issued OCI card in lieu of the PIO card.
Henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence.
CONVERSION OF PIO CARDS TO OCI CARDS:
All the existing PIO card holders are advised to apply for OCI Card in lieu of the PIO Card at Online OCI Services website. Online OCI Registration application form is to be filled in English, in accordance with instructions on the form (Parts A and B). A printout of the duly filled in form, along with the following, needs to be submitted to the Embassy’s sole service provider, VFS Global (www.vfsglobal.com/india/netherlands):
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Photographs – 4 (Four) recent color passport size photograph (about 51mm x 51mm), showing full frontal view of face against a white background, 01 photograph to be pasted on the application form & other 03 to be attached with the form.
The deadline for submission of online applications by the erstwhile PIO cardholders with valid PIO cards as on 9.1.2015 has been extended till 31.12.2016. Applications for conversion of PIO cards to OCI cards can be submitted at the Indian Mission/FRRO concerned within the jurisdiction of applicant’s place of residence.
One can apply for OCI card in lieu of valid PIO card free of any charges. However, the applicant will have to pay the service charges (Euro 18.51) of the outsourcing agency. In case the PIO card is lost, applicant has to pay the fee of Indian Rs.5500/- (equivalent amount in Euros) plus the service charges of the outsourcing agency. No fee will be levied in cases where the applicant wishes to change the personal particulars viz., passport particulars, address, occupation etc. while submitting the application for OCI card in lieu of PIO card.
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