Now there is just the OCI cards and they don’t need VISA

Q.  Which of the following is/are true?

1) The OCI card holders need to have a Passport and a Visa to enter India.
2) The OCI cards and PIO cards are now merged and now there is just the PIO card.
- Published on 21 Mar 16

a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both 1 and 2
d. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWER: Neither 1 nor 2
 
  • The categories Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) were merged and now there is just the OCI card.
  • An ordinance was promulgated on January 6, 2015 whereby the eligibility and additional benefits of the PIO card have been incorporated in the OCI card and certain other relaxation to OCI card holders have been given by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • Till now, every OCI card holder also had to get a visa affixed from the Indian High Commission whenever they planned a visit to India.
  • Now, only the OCI card will be needed and no visa is required.
  • The government is also planning to make arrangements to print OCI cards at a few big missions such as those in the U.K and the U.S., countries where many Indians reside.
  • The OCI card bears certain security features that cannot be tampered with and are made after several layers of checks.

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