Lyla Lindsey
The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card is a travel document for people of Indian origin. The Indian government has extended the deadline for PIO cards to be converted to Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards, with the new deadline being 31 December 2024. The process for converting a PIO card to an OCI card involves visiting the website of VFS Global, an Outsourcing Service Provider of OCI Services, and paying a fee of $100. The application form for the grant or renewal of a PIO card can be found on the National Portal of India website.
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What You'll Learn
Where to apply
- Residents of Queensland can apply to the Honorary Consulate of India in Brisbane.
- Residents of New South Wales and South Australia should apply to the Consulate General of India in Sydney.
- Residents of Victoria and Tasmania should apply to the Consulate General of India in Melbourne.
- Residents of the Northern Territory and Western Australia should direct their application to the Consulate General of India in Perth.
- If you are applying to the High Commission of India, Canberra, you must make a bank cheque/money order payable to "High Commission of India, Canberra”.
- If applying to the Consulate General of India, Sydney, make a bank cheque/money order/postal order payable to the "Consulate General of India, Sydney”.
- If applying to the Consulate General of India, Perth, make a bank cheque/money order/postal order payable to the "Consulate General of India, Perth”.
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Required documents
When applying for a PIO card in Australia, you must ensure that you have all the required documents. The documents you need to submit will depend on your specific situation, but here is a detailed and comprehensive guide to help you through the process.
Firstly, all Australian and foreign passport holders must ensure their documents are attested and have the apostille stamp from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT may require that the documents be notarised before they can be stamped, so it is important to check with them beforehand. This step is crucial, as without the apostille stamp, the Consulate may not accept your application.
The specific documents you need to provide will vary depending on your purpose of applying for the PIO card, such as employment, education, or tourism. Here are some common documents that you may need:
- Proof of identity: This can include a valid passport, driver's license, or any other government-issued identification card.
- Proof of address: Recent utility bills, bank statements, or a rental agreement may be required.
- Birth certificate: An official birth certificate is often required, especially if you are applying for a PIO card for a minor.
- Proof of financial stability: For certain types of visas, you may need to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in India. This could include bank statements or other financial documents.
- Medical records: In some cases, you may be required to provide proof of vaccination or a medical certificate stating that you are in good health.
- Educational certificates: If you are applying as a student, you will need to provide proof of your enrolment or acceptance into an educational institution in India.
Remember to always check the official website of the Indian Consulate in Australia for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the required documents. The website will provide detailed guidelines and specifications for each type of PIO card application. It is essential to carefully review the requirements to ensure that your application is complete and adheres to the specified standards.
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Payment methods
When applying for a PIO card in Australia, there are several payment methods available. The applicable Government of India fees for OCI, additional service charges to VFS Global, and a contribution to the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) are all part of the cost structure.
- Online Payment or Payment by Cards: Online payment or payment by cards (MasterCard or Visa) is accepted. A convenience charge of 3.5% will be levied on the total payment amount.
- Money Order, Banker's Check, or Cashier's Check: If paying by money order or cashier's check, it should be made payable to "VFS Services (USA) Inc."
- Demand Draft: For applications submitted to the Indian Mission/Post abroad, an OCI registration fee of US$275 (or the equivalent in local currency) per application is payable by demand draft. For applications submitted in India, the fee is Rs.15,000/- by demand draft drawn in favour of "Pay and Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs payable at New Delhi."
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OCI card conversion
PIO cards are no longer valid for travel. If you are a PIO cardholder, you must register through OCI registration. If your PIO card is lost, you can register through OCI registration and reprint your application using the 'Re-Print Submitted Application' service.
To apply for OCI registration, you will need to provide the following:
- A copy of your present valid passport, with a validity of a minimum of 6 months at the time of submission of the application.
- In case the application is submitted in India, a copy of any type of Visa (other than a Missionary, Tourist, or Mountaineering Visa) or a Residential Permit with 3 months validity as of the date of application.
- Evidence of self, parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents being a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution (i.e., 26.01.1950), or being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution, or belonging to a territory that became part of India after 15th August 1947.
- OCI/PIO card of parents/spouse along with the documents upon which the OCI/PIO card was issued, or any other proof substantiating the request.
- A certificate of residence or place of birth of self/parents/grandparents from the First Class Magistrate/District Magistrate (DM) of the concerned place.
- Evidence of the relationship as a parent/grandparent/great-grandparent, if their Indian origin is claimed as the basis for registration as an OCI cardholder. The document of relationship could be a "Birth Certificate" issued by a competent authority mentioning both parents' names. If the birth certificate is issued by a foreign authority, it needs to be Apostilled or endorsed by the concerned Indian Mission abroad.
- In the case of a spouse of an OCI cardholder, a copy of the present valid passport of the spouse and a copy of the OCI card of the spouse and copies of the documents upon which the OCI card was issued to the spouse.
- A valid PIO card of the applicant.
- The OCI registration fee of US$275 (US$100 for conversion of PIO to OCI card) for each application or the equivalent amount in local currency, paid by way of Demand Draft until the online payment facility is introduced. If the application is submitted in India, the fee is Rs.15,000/- (Rs. 5500/- for conversion of PIO to OCI card) by way of Demand Draft drawn in favor of “Pay and Accounts Officer (Secretariat), Ministry of Home Affairs payable at New Delhi until the online payment facility is introduced.
After submitting your application online, including documents, photographs, and signatures, you will need to visit your jurisdiction to submit your application in person or through an authorized person. You can then contact the Mission/Office where you have applied for OCI registration after 10 days from the date of dispatch of documents from Delhi or any day after receipt of documents at the Mission/Office, whichever is earlier. Please produce your passport(s) and PIO card, if applicable, in person/through an authorized person for affixing the OCI visa sticker and issuance of the registration certificate.
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Deadlines and processing times
The deadlines and processing times for PIO card applications in Australia are subject to change, but here is the currently available information:
The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) previously extended the deadline for accepting Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards, including handwritten ones, as valid travel documents. This extension was until 31 December 2023, along with a valid foreign passport. However, this deadline has been further extended to 30 September 2023, after which PIO cards will no longer be valid for travel. Indian Immigration Check Posts will consider PIO cards valid for entry and exit from India until the new deadline.
It is important to note that if the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) notifies any deadlines that make handwritten PIO cards invalid before 31 December 2024, PIO cardholders will need to obtain a visa from Indian Missions/Posts.
For those with valid PIO cards as of 9 January 2015, it is strongly recommended to apply for a conversion to an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) Card. This is due to the changing validity of PIO cards and the need to update travel documents.
When applying for an OCI card, it is essential to have all the required documents ready, including proof of present citizenship and a valid passport with a minimum of six months' validity at the time of application. If additional documents are requested, they must be submitted within seven calendar days; otherwise, the application process may be halted, and no fees will be refunded. The processing times for OCI card applications are not explicitly mentioned, but it is recommended to allow adequate time for document submission and processing.
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Frequently asked questions
A PIO card is a Person of Indian Origin card. The validity of these cards has been extended to 31 December 2023.
You can apply for a PIO card at the Consulate General of India in Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth, depending on your state of residence.
You need to submit various types of documents, including pension documents, for attestation. All Australian and other foreign passport holders must have their documents apostilled by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
No, cash should only be tendered at the counter. Postal applications should be made with a bank cheque, money order, or postal order.
Yes, Australia seeks to extend consular assistance abroad to all its citizens, regardless of whether they have dual nationality.
