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Difference between PIO and OCI

Posted on October 01 2020

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A PIO must not have been a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka at any time. An OCI must not have been a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan at any time.

Difference between PIO and OCI

According to the Ministry ofOverseas Indian Affairs, India has the second largest diasporas in the world after overseas Chinese. The overseas Indian community estimated at over 25 million is spread across every major region in the world.

The difference between a PIO and an OCI is as follows:

Excluded Countries: A PIO must not have been a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka at any time. An OCI must not have been a citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan at any time.

Foreign born Children: Foreign Born Children of both Indian citizen parents are eligible for a PIO card. However for an OCI card, at least one parent must be foreign citizen of Indian origin.

Processing: The PIO normally is a one step process and takes 2-4 weeks while an OCI is a milti-step process and takes 3-4 months.

Validity: PIO is valid for 15 years from the date of issue while the OCI is valid life-long from the date of issue.

FRRO/FRO: For a PIO Registration at the FRRO/FRO is required if the stay in India is more than 180 days and is required to be done within 30 days, however for an OCI, the registration is not required at all.

Indian Citizenship: A PIO holder can apply for an Indian Citizenship after he resides in India regularly for a minimum of 7 years. After 5 years of issue of the OCI and a residence in India for 1 year the OCI card holder can apply for citizenship.

Restricted Areas: A PIO holder needs prior permission to visit restricted areas while an OCI does not require any permission.

Few common benefits for OCI and PIO card holders over Foreigners are:

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.

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