The government of India has extended the deadline to convert handwritten Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. PIO cardholders can continue to use their cards as valid travel documents (together with a valid foreign passport) until December 31, 2023. The government announced in 2015 that PIO cardholders must apply for a OCI card in order to continue to preserve their travel rights but has regularly extended the deadline in order to ease the transition. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) reserves the right to announce the invalidation of handwritten PIO cards and require PIO cardholders to obtain the appropriate visa from the Indian consular posts in order to enter India. As such, all PIO cardholders with valid PIO cards from January 9, 2015, should convert their PIO card to an OCI card as instructed by the Ministry of Home Affairs of India.
Fragomen in India is Fragomen Immigration Services India (Pvt) Ltd., operating exclusively as an immigration consultancy and not as a law firm in India. This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.
Video
Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.
Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.
Blog post
Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.
Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.
Blog post
Blog post
Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how new regulations have led Polish companies to adjust their use of work permits.
Media mentions
Awards
Fragomen was recognized by Oasis Legal Services with the Ally in Action Award at their 8th Annual Community Celebration: Liberation Sounds Like Us, which took place on September 12, 2025 in Oakland, California.
Video
Fragomen FC hosts recap major international football transfers and tournaments played this summer.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how careful planning can help international students navigate US visa changes and avoid disruptions to study and travel.
Media mentions
Managing Director Diogo Kloper examines the challenges of hiring foreign talent in Brazil’s evolving energy sector and the role of compliance in supporting innovation.
Blog post
Manager Adam Hickling, Senior Immigration Consultant Katya Fedorenko and Paralegal Sasindie Ambawatte explore how upcoming changes to the UK's skilled worker visa scheme may affect recruitment and retention in the aviation sector.
Media mentions
Media mentions
Partner Parisa Karaahmet discusses updates in the October 2025 US visa bulletin for employment-based green card applicants.
Video
Afzal Amin highlights a significant update for UAE Golden Visa holders: the Jebel Ali Free Zone authorities have replaced permanent access cards with permanent identity cards.
Blog post
Blog post
Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Consultant Pebbless Agyemang discuss Belgium’s new family reunification rules and their impact on applicants.