1. This Consulate has been informed by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of India on 16 January, 2015 that the Central Government has vide Gazette Notification No. 26011/01/2014 – IC. I. dated 9th January, 2015 exercising powers conferred by subsection (2) of section 7A of the Citizenship Act 1955 (57 of 1955) specified that with effect from 9th January, 2015 all existing Persons of Indian Origin card holders registered as such shall be deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India card holders.
2. The PIO scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No. 25024/9/2014 – F. I. dated 9th January, 2015.
3. As a consequence of the above, the Consulate has been directed to return all PIO applications received before 9th January, 2015 and pending, and all PIO applications received on or after 9th January, 2015, with a request to the applicants that they may apply for the OCI card scheme or may seek a Visa for travel to India as they deem appropriate. The Consulate would extend all possible assistance to such applicants so that their travel obligations and plans are not disturbed.
4. Consular applicants are also hereby informed that consequent to the promulgation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Ordinance 2015 which has carried out amendments to the Citizenship Act 1955, the following additional categories of applicants have been enabled to apply for registration as Overseas Citizen of India:-
a) Spouse of citizen of India or spouse of an OCI registered under section 7A of the Act and whose marriage has been registered and subsisted for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the application provided the spouse is not a person of Pakistan / Bangladesh origin.
b) A minor whose both parents are Indian citizens.
5. Consular applicants with any travel related emergencies or any grievances may send an email to the following for redress:-
a) OCI issues and Pending PIO matters – Mr. C.R.Sen, Vice Consul (OCI, Renunciation) - [email protected]
b) Visa issues – Mr. Rakesh Sharma, Vice Consul (Visa) - [email protected]
