PIO and OCI – Full Form, Meaning and Difference

PIO and OCI both are legal terms that are generally used for foreign citizens of Indian origin. A PIO is a person who was an Indian citizen on 26th January 1950 or later or was an eligible person to become a citizen of India on 26th January 1950. On the other side, an OCI is a person who is registered as an Overseas Citizen of India.

In this article, we are going to learn PIO and OCI in detail and their major differences.

PIO and OCI Full Form

PIO stands for Person of Indian Origin, and OCI stands for Overseas Citizen of India.

Person of Indian Origin refers to individuals who or whose ancestors were born in India but are now citizens of other countries. Overseas Citizen of India is a form of citizenship offered to people of Indian origin and certain categories of foreigners residing abroad. Both PIO and OCI statuses provide various privileges and rights to individuals of Indian origin living outside India.

PIO Meaning

A PIO or Person of Indian Origin is a foreign national who is not a citizen of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, or Nepal. It means a PIO can be a citizen of any country other than Afghanistan, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, or Pakistan who held an Indian Passport in the past or has parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents who were citizens of India as defined by the Government of India Act 1935. The status of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) can also extend to the spouse of an Indian citizen or another individual holding PIO status.

Benefits of PIO Card

PIO or Person of Indian Origin cardholders have so many benefits as mentioned below:

• Holders of PIO cards are entitled to visa-free travel to India for up to 15 years from the card’s issuance.
• During their stay in India, they can remain for up to 180 days without the need to register with the Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
• They are permitted to pursue studies or employment at private institutions in India without requiring a specialized visa.
• Enjoying equivalent financial and economic privileges as Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
• Their children are eligible for admission to Indian educational institutions, including prestigious ones like medical and engineering colleges, Indian Institute of Technology (IITs), and the Indian Institute of Management (IIMs), under the same quota as NRIs.
• They have the freedom to hold, transfer, dispose of, and acquire various forms of immovable properties, with the exception of plantation and agricultural properties.
• They are exempted from registering with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)/Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for stays under 180 days. However, if their stay exceeds 180 days, they must register with FRRO/FRO within 30 days thereafter.

Limitations of PIO Card

Though there are so many facilities with them a PIO card holder has to face some notable restrictions also:

• Employment rights in Government of India undertakings are restricted for them.
• Holding any constitutional office in the Government of India is prohibited for them.
• Acquiring any agricultural land, plantation property, or a farm home is not permitted for them.
• Their right to vote is denied.
• Prior permission is mandatory for engaging in missionary activities, mountaineering, research positions, or visiting restricted areas of India.

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OCI Meaning

Overseas Citizen of India is a person who is registered as an Overseas Citizen of India. People of Indian Origin (PIO) allows individuals of Indian descent or birth who hold citizenship in countries other than India.

Those People of Indian Origin who have availed of the Overseas Citizenship of India status through OCI card are known as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). The OCI status facilitates residence, education, and employment in India for foreign citizens of Indian origin. OCI cardholders have unrestricted access to India, with the flexibility to stay for any duration. Notably, OCI cards are issued to foreign passport holders, excluding those from Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Benefits of OCI Card

OCI or Overseas Citizen of India card holders have so many benefits as mentioned below.

• OCI is a lifelong, multifunctional, multiple-entry visa for India.
• It grants unrestricted travel privileges to the foreign passport holders to India.
• They can visit India at their convenience, with no limitations on duration or purpose of their visits.
• OCIs are relieved from the obligation to report to the police during their stay in the country.
• OCI card holders can enjoy the same economic, financial, and educational rights as NRIs can.
• OCIs are excluded to have an ownership of agricultural or plantation properties.

Limitations of OCI Card

Though there are so many facilities with them a OCI card holder has to face some notable restrictions also. Let us discuss.

• OCI status does not confer voting rights or eligibility for membership in legislative bodies such as the Legislative Assembly, Legislative Council, or Parliament.
• Holders of OCI cards are precluded from occupying key constitutional positions like President, Vice President, or serving as judges in the Supreme Court or High Court.
• Certain government positions are off-limits to OCI cardholders.
• Acquisition of agricultural land in India is not permitted for OCI cardholders.
• Political rights, including those outlined in Articles 124 and 217 of the Constitution pertaining to judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, are not extended to OCI cardholders.
• Employment within the Indian government is generally prohibited for OCI cardholders.
• Undertaking activities such as missionary work, mountaineering, or journalism in India requires prior permission from the Indian authorities.
• Membership in legislative bodies or holding constitutional positions within India’s governmental framework is restricted for OCI cardholders.

Difference Between PIO and OCI

Here are some major differences between PIO and OCI as mentioned below:

PIO vs. OCI
Aspects	OCI or Overseas Citizen of India	PIO or Person of Indian Origin
Application Place	CKGS is the Application Center in the jurisdiction of the applicant.	CKGS is the Application Center in the jurisdiction of the applicant.
Indian Visa Requirement	There is no such requirement.	There is no such requirement.
Visa Validity	Lifelong validity once it is issued.	Valid for a long 15 years once it is issued.
Entry In India	Individuals are allowed to enter India for any reason throughout their lifetime. They do not have any restriction on their number of entries or duration of stay in the country.	Individuals can enter India after 15 years from their PIO Card’s issuance date. If they stay for more than 180 days in India, they have to register with the nearest FRRO/FRO.
Registration in FRO/FRRO	Not required. Irrespective of the period of stay.	Need to be updated after 180 days. After 180 days, an additional 30 days are provided.
Fees	₹1,400 for re-issuance and ₹5,500 for issuance of duplicate.	₹15,000 for adults, ₹7500 for children up to 18 years of age.

Similarities Between PIO and OCI

Here are some similarities between PIO and OCI as mentioned below:

• Both PIO and OCI categories are designed for individuals who have an Indian lineage or heritage.
• Both PIO and OCI applicants hold citizenship of a foreign country along with a foreign passport.
• The application process for both PIO and OCI status is typically done through Indian missions abroad or online, depending on the jurisdiction.
• Holders of both PIO and OCI cards are not required to obtain an Indian visa for their visits to India.
• While OCI status confers more extensive rights and privileges compared to PIO status, both categories offer certain benefits related to travel, residency, and economic activities in India.
• Both PIO and OCI statuses generally provide lifelong validity, subject to certain conditions and regulations.

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FAQs on PIO and OCI

What is PIO and OCI Full Form?

PIO stands for Person of Indian Origin, and OCI stands for Overseas Citizen of India.

What is the Difference between OCI and PIO Card in India?

OCI card holders can visit India at any time and stay for any time. PIO: It refers to a foreign citizen who held an Indian Passport at any point in time or whose parents/grandparents/great grandparents were citizens of India.

Is PIO replaced by OCI?

It is strongly recommended that all persons having valid PIO cards apply for conversion of PIO to OCI card. The Bureau of Immigration will accept PIO cards as valid travel document till 31st December, 2022, along with valid foreign passport.

What is the difference between OCI and Indian Visa?

The main difference between the two is that you can only stay in India for a maximum period of 6 months at a time with an India Visa; whereas you can stay for years in India with an OCI Card.

What is the difference between PIO and NRI?

The key Difference Between NRI and PIO is that NRI stands for Non-Resident Indian who is a resident in a foreign country, whereas PIO stands for Person of Indian Origin allocated to foreign citizens, except for those belonging to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Who are NRI, PIO and OCI?

NRI, PIO, and OCI are all terms that relate to the status of a person who is of Indian origin but living outside of India. All have the same eligibility criteria to carry out financial transactions in India. However, there are minor differences in their rights and privileges in India.

Which is Better OCI or NRI?

An OCI cardholder gets the permission of living within Indian territory for an indefinite period of time. Whereas, an NRI does not enjoy these benefits and either has to rely on a visa for a certain period of time.