OCI vs PIO Card — India
PIO Cards are obsolete. The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card was discontinued and replaced by OCI. The free conversion deadline was December 31, 2017. The deadline will not be extended. PIO cardholders who haven't converted must now pay the standard OCI issuance fee.
OCI vs PIO — Key Comparison
| Feature | PIO Card (Discontinued) | OCI Card (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Discontinued Dec 2017 | Active — apply now |
| Type | 15-year multiple-entry visa | Lifetime multiple-entry visa |
| India entry | Multiple entry permitted | Lifelong multiple entry |
| Benefits | Limited | Broader — parity with NRIs for economic/financial/educational activities |
| Renewal needed | Yes (every 15 years) | No — lifetime validity |
| Photo required | 2×2 inch | 2×2 inch printed + digital image for online portal |
OCI Card Photos
OCI applications require both printed 2×2 inch photos and digital images for upload on the government portal. The digital image has specific requirements that differ from standard passport photos.
