This is to inform that the handwritten travel document/PIO cards will be accepted as valid travel document along with valid foreign passport at all India Immigration check Post(s) till 31st March 2020 instead of the earlier circulated deadline i.e 30th September 2019.

All PIO card holders are, therefore, requested to apply for OCI card in lieu of their PIO cards before 30th MARCH 2020.

A separate online application for issue of OCI card in lieu of the existing PIO card without payment of any registration fee has been devised and is available at: https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome

The application process is now completely online: Applicants must submit the complete application online, including uploading copies of all the required documents (PIO Card, Passport, etc.), photographs and signature. Signed printouts of completed online applications must be submitted to the Consular Wing of the Embassy of India Madagascar along with the originals of all the documents uploaded.

Please note that scanned copies of supporting documents ie PIO Card and Passport need to be uploaded in PDF format when completing the online application. Similarly, the applicant's Photograph and Signature need to be uploaded in .jpg format while completing the online application

The original documents will be verified by the Embassy and returned to the applicant. (in case of any deficiency in the application, the applicant shall be informed by Phone or e-mail.) The applicant shall be informed as and when their OCI card is ready for collection.

The last date for submission of online applications by existing PIO card holders for conversion to OCI Card has been extended till 30th March 2020 . PIO card holders in Madagascar and Comoros are therefore advised to complete their applications for conversion to OCI card online at https://ociservices.gov.in/welcome, upload all the required comments, photos and signature and submit a signed printout of the form along with originals for verification to the Consular Section, Embassy of India, Antananarivo by 30th March 2020. .

Please note that Signed printouts of completed online applications may be submitted to the Indian Mission/Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within the jurisdiction of the applicant's current place of residence - i.e. it is not necessary to submit the completed application form only at the Mission where the PIO card was originally issued. Therefore, Malagasy/Comorian PIO card holders residing abroad may submit the applications, along with the original documents, at the nearest Indian Mission/Post, and those Malagasy/Comorian PIO card holders residing in India may submit the completed forms to the nearest Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO).

The grant of OCI card in lieu of the PIO card will be on gratis basis and no fee shall be payable by the applicant.

Extension of timeline for handwritten PIO cards

Consular Services