Consular Officer from SO (OCI)
Rptd. HOM/HOP
Ministry of Home Affairs vide its O.M. No. 26011/Misc/71/2018-OCI dated 17.12.2021 (copy enclosed) informed that handwritten travel document/PIO cards will be accepted as valid travel document along with valid foreign passport at all Indian Immigration Check Posts(s) till 31.12.2022 instead of earlier circulated deadline i.e. 31.12.2021.
2. As per the aforementioned O.M., Bureau of Immigration (BoI) will accept PIO cards as valid travel document till 31st December 2022 alongwith valid foreign passport and the Indian Immigration Check Post(s) will continue to consider all PIO cards valid for exit/entry into India till 31.12.2022. This extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the meantime any deadline is notified by the ICAO thereby making hand written PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain appropriate visa from Indian Missions/Posts.
3. All Missions/Posts abroad are requested to advise all the PIO cardholders with valid PIO cards as on 09.01.2015 to apply for conversion of PIO card to OCI card as per the guidelines issued by MHA from time to time.
