r2i forum

Friends,

I just submitted the physical PIO to OCI conversion application for my minor son at Mumbai FRRO. I had previously completed and printed the online application.

1. Online, I had uploaded my son's passport & PIO card & birth certificate & my passport in addition to the required photo and his signature.
2. I submitted the printed online application (original + copy) & copy of his passport & copy of his PIO card. All copies where self attested by my son.
3. Originals of these two were verified.
4. I did not have to show or attach any other documents and I think that I did not need to upload my son's birth certificate and my passport as well.
5. All in all, it took 15 minutes. I was given a receipt and was told track online or call - it will take two and a half months.
6. His current PIO is good for travel.

When I asked if this conversion was mandatory - I was told that after March 31st 2016, there may be a charge for this conversion but no confirmation of this conversion being mandatory was given.

I have not bothered with it for my kid after reading http://www.cgisf.org/page/display/30/231

Some excerpts:
This is to notify that submission of application for OCI card in lieu of PIO card is voluntary and optional. OCI card in lieu of PIO card can be applied at https://passport.gov.in/oci. All extant PIO cards will continue to be valid until further instructions on the matter are conveyed by MHA.

...
It has been brought to our attention that rumors are spreading among Indian Diaspora community members that PIO card holders are not able to travel to India with PIO CARD after June 18th, 2015.
...

Update: Just now received an intimation that the OCI is printed and dispatched, so in all, it took 90 days and not 42 days as they publish on their status site. Giving the timeline so that you are better prepared

Thanks ginipig for all your help.
I finished the entire project in USA and got my oci in 30 days after the renunciation process. I have both, mine and my daughter's oci cards.
I wanted to avoid the running around from Pune to Mumbai. So had applied in USA.
Thanks.

India18, hehe, great to know this, you got it before me! I've to still to collect it as it seems some processing is still left at Mumbai FRRO.

I'm glad to know I was of help to you! Is your travel plan confirmed? when are you traveling?

posting my experience of PIO to OCI for my kid for everyone's benefit.

- Submitted all the docs (xerox of PIO, Passport and parents passport) at Mumbai FRRO in April last week. (I had pune's address in the application)
- I was expecting that I will have to visit pune FRRO and police but to my surprise, online status now shows that it is processed and Mumbai FRRO has received the documents last week. So, other than visiting Mumbai FRRO to submit docs, I didn't have to go anywhere and no police verification.
- I will go after a week or so to collect OCI.

I collected the OCI but later I received a call from Pune FRRO and was asked to submit documents via email. Did anyone else had such experience?

Was your son able to travel on his present PIO? the last time that I traveled with my minor dughters, I was told at the immigration office at Mumbai that the PIO would not be valid after December 2017.