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My son (13 years old) is a US Citizen and lives in Mumbai with me. He has a valid PIO Card and old passport has expired. From what I have read, he can travel with the PIO card + Old Passport + New Passport. The Bureau of Immigration website also says that a PIO card is now automatically an OCI card with lifetime validity.

I just spoke to the phone lady at Mumbai FRRO. She said that the PIO card will be discontinued as of Mar-31, 2016 (there will be no lifetime validity endorsement at airports) and I must immediately apply online for OCI card for him and visit FRRO with application and all supporting documents. The process takes 3 months. However, when I told here that he has to travel in 1 month, she said that it will be done in 1 month.

Does anyone know, if this is true? What should I do?

Thanks,
Jay.

Yes, very much True.

Wait, I will post the latest discussion on this.

I will only trust the The Bureau of Immigration of India website which says that you can travel on PIO + Valid Passport.
http://boi.gov.in/content/pio-card-valid-lifetime-holder-provided-heshe-has-valid-passport-pio-card-holders-are

Here is the Merger Notice to all FRROs
http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/Merge_PIO_OCI.pdf

You never know - the BOI website may have not been updated. They are probably not required to post updates on their website - there may be an internal memo.

Friends, a google search just got me this news link:
http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/society/pio-cards-not-valid-for-travel-to-india-after-march-31-1.1674899

It says exactly what the lady at FRRO told me - PIO card will not be valid post Mar-31, 2016.

I recently applied OCI in lieu of PIO for my daughter at CKGS, NY office. Info from CKGS
1. PIO need to be converted to OCI before March 31, 2016
2. This conversion will be in kind before March 31, 2016
3. CKGS do not have any info on Embassy directions on PIO after March 31, 2016. They did mention that the fee for conversion may be increased, but not sure.
4. There is no clear direction if one can travel on a valid PIO after March 31, 2016

Thanks honeyglue for the info.

Jay6447;623335Thanks honeyglue for the info.

So you trust some news link more than Govt. of India website ?

All PIO cards are valid for life time now. They should let you in as long as you carry the passport that is registered in PIO along with the current valid passport. Mar-31-2016 is the dead line to apply for OCI conversion "free of charge", after that date you will need to pay the normal OCI application charges. Keep in mind, we have seen multiple such dead lines so far, not necessarily mean they will extend it again.

However, it is always better to convert it asap before GOI babus change the rules again.

Cronydude - Dude, I just told thanks to honeyglue for providing information on his experience with PIO->OCI conversion at NY. In any case, I rather just get the OCI card and have peace of mind while travelling.