The High Commission has said in a statement that the deadline to accept handwritten PIO cards has been extended till 30th September 2020.
Highlights:
- The deadline to use handwritten PIO cards has been extended.
- Handwritten PIO Cards will be accepted as valid travel document along with valid foreign passport
- The extension is conditional and may change.
The earlier deadline was 31st March 2020, however many persons of Indian origin have not got their PIO cards converted to OCI cards.
"Handwritten Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Cards will be accepted as valid travel document along with valid foreign passport at all Indian Immigration Check Posts till 30th September 2020 instead of earlier deadline of 31st March 2020," reads the advisory.
It says the extension of the timeline can be changed at any time.
"The extension of timeline is subject to the condition that if in the meantime any deadline is notified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) thereby making handwritten PIO cards invalid, then PIO cardholders may have to obtain the appropriate visa," states the advisory.
However, the High Commission has advised the PIO cardholders to apply for conversion of PIO cards to OCI cards.
