PIO Card vs.

OCI Card
For the past several years, most persons of Indian origin who acquired their foreign citizenship are eligible to apply for
either a PIO card[1] or an OCI card[2]. The PIO card scheme was launched earlier than the OCI card scheme.
There are a few differences in the eligibility, process, cost and the benefits/restrictions of both the PIO and OCI card.
This web page compares both types of cards. If you know of any other difference that is worthwhile mentioning, please
send an email to info@immihelp.com[3] and we would be glad to look into it.
PIO Card[1] OCI Card[2]
Eligibility
Exact wording Here[4] Here[5]
Eligibility basis Self or either parents, grandparents,
great-grandparents or spouse
Self or either parents or grandparents.
No spouse.
Dual citizenship law of current
country of citizenship
No restriction Even though India does not allow dual
citizenship, current country of citizenship
must allow some form of dual citizenship
Excluded countries Must not have been citizen of
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China,
Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka at any time
Must not have been citizen of
Bangladesh or Pakistan at any time
Foreign-born children of both
Indian citizen parents
Eligible Not eligible
Application Process
Procedure One step:
Completely manual process. You must
download forms and send the documents
to the applicable embassy/consulate or
Indian immigration office.
The office will process and send back the
PIO card after processing. Submission of
the original passport of current
nationality is not required.
Multi step:
Apply online for part A, get a registration
number, submit required documents to
the applicable embassy/consulate or
Indian immigration office.
Central processing of applications will
occur in New Delhi, India.
Ministry sends OCI cards to
embassy/consulate.
Applicant deposits passport to get OCI
card stamped in passport.
Processing time About 2 to 4 weeks About 3 to 4 months
Application fees $365 for adult, $185 for child below 18
years of age
$275 for US citizens ($295 for non-US
citizens) for adult. $25 for PIO card
holder if US citizen. ($45 for non-US
citizen PIO card holder) .
Refund for Application Fee(s) None Refunded after deducting $25 processing
fee, if OCI card can't be issued
Card at no charge Only to exceptionally eminent person of
Indian origin
To no one
Photograph White or light background Light background
No white background
Duplicate card fee $100 $25
Benefits/Restrictions
Validity 15 years (20 years in some early cases) Lifelong
Visit/Work Yes Yes
Government employment No No
Study Yes, under NRI quota Yes, under NRI quota
Reporting to police authorities Required only if staying for more than
180 days
Not required for any length of stay
Voting rights No No
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Can take part in various housing
schemes of LIC, state
governments and other
government agencies
Yes Yes
Can hold Constitutional posts
such as President, Vice
President, Judge of Supreme
Court/High Court etc
No No
Can become a candidate of Lok
Sabha/Rajya Sabha/Legislative
Assembly/Council
No No
Can acquire agriculture or
plantation land
No No
Can inherit agriculture or
plantation land
Yes Yes
Acquisition, holding, transfer and
disposal of immovable properties
in India except of
agricultural/plantation properties
Yes Yes
Indian passport No No
Indian citizenship Can apply for Indian citizenship after
being ordinarily resident of India for 7
years
Caution: You would lose your foreign
citizenship (such as US Citizenship) if
you become an Indian Citizen.
Can apply for Indian citizenship after 5
years. Must have stayed in India for at
least 1 year.
Caution: You would lose your foreign
citizenship (such as US Citizenship) if
you become an Indian Citizen.
Consular access Yes Indian Government Says: No
US Government Says: Yes
Indian civil/criminal law while in
India
Yes Yes
Rupee bank account in India Yes Yes
Can lend in rupees to Indian
residents
Yes Yes
Can make investments in India Yes Yes
Can own a brokerage account Online trades are generally not allowed. ICICI Direct says No. It may be allowed for
certain mutual funds in certain situations. It may also vary based on the brokerage
company.
PAN number required. Paper signature required.
INR rates at hotels in India
instead of bloated USD rates
Officially, all non Indian citizens are supposed to pay USD rates. At such places,
there are only two categories of rates: Indian citizens and foreigners. They don't
have any category for NRI, PIO or OCI. However, a person who is of Indian origin
and "looks Indian" would generally be able to get away without paying higher fees,
as the documents such as Passports are not checked at most of those places.
Entry fees for National Parks and
Wild Life Sanctuaries
Same as the note above for hotels Parity with Indian Nationals
Separate immigration counter at
international airports in India
Yes Yes
Travel to protected area /
restricted area[6]
With permission[6] With permission[6]
Mountaineering, missionary and
research work and existing
PAP/RAP[6]
With permission[6] With permission[6]
New foreign passport Travel either with both passports or get
new passport number endorsed in PIO
card.
Details[7]
Anyone younger than 21 years or older
than 50 years need to apply for new OCI
card and visa. This is disadvantage of
OCI compared to PIO.
Details[8]
Domestic Airfares Non-Indian citizen rates Parity with Resident Indians
Inter-country adoption Same as non-Indian citizen Parity with NRIs
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|1] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/picccrc/
|2] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/cver:ec:ciIizen:hipincic/
|3] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/ +
|4] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/picccrc/incex.hIm|e|igiLi|iIy
|5] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/cver:ec:ciIizen:hipincic/cpp|iccIicn.hIm|e|igiLi|iIy
|] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/prcIecIec-re:IricIec-crec-permiI-incic.hIm|
|7] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/picccrc/enccr:emenI-new-pc::pcrI.hIm|
|8] hIIp://www.immihe|p.ccm/nri/cver:ec:ciIizen:hipincic/cci-mi:ce||cnecu:-:evice:.hIm|
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