OCI or PIO ???

R

rushil

Registered Users (C)
Question For origin's from Indian:
Right now, is it advisable to apply for PIO(person of Indian origin) card or to apply for OCI(Overseas citizen of india). Does it take same time to get PIO or OCI ? Even if OCI takes a little longer,is it worth the wait ? Or should I get PIO now and worry about OCI latter ?
I recently got my citizenship and was wondering whether to apply for PIO card or OCI.
Any response is appreciated.thanks.
 
rushil said:
Question For origin's from Indian:
Right now, is it advisable to apply for PIO(person of Indian origin) card or to apply for OCI(Overseas citizen of india). Does it take same time to get PIO or OCI ? Even if OCI takes a little longer,is it worth the wait ? Or should I get PIO now and worry about OCI latter ?
I recently got my citizenship and was wondering whether to apply for PIO card or OCI.
Any response is appreciated.thanks.
Click to expand...

I would get a PIO card now ($310) and apply for OCI ($25). PIO card takes about a week, but OCI takes up to 3 months.
 
If you don't have an urgent need to travel to India, then apply for OCI and be prepared to wait for 3 to 4 months. It will cost $275.

If you need to visit India in the meantime or just want to be travel ready, then either get PIO for $310, and then convert to OCI for $25. Total cost = $335. PIO card takes about 1 to 2 weeks to get.

Alternatively, you can get a 6 months tourist visa for $60, and also apply for OCI for $275. Total cost = $335.

For children, it's cheaper to get a PIO for $155, and then convert to OCI for $25. Total cost = $180.

Depending on your situation, pick the one that suits your needs.
 
sg_orl, Any idea how long it takes to get the 6 month tourist visa? Also, when you apply for PIO or OCI, do you have to send in your passport? Do you not need it when you travel (in case you had a tourist/travel visa)? Thank you.
 
aashn said:
sg_orl, Any idea how long it takes to get the 6 month tourist visa? Also, when you apply for PIO or OCI, do you have to send in your passport? Do you not need it when you travel (in case you had a tourist/travel visa)? Thank you.
Click to expand...

If you send the application and US passport by mail, it takes between 1-2 weeks to get the tourist visa ( 6 mos, 1 yr, 5 yrs, or 10 yrs). Consulates recommend using the overnight mail for both ways. If you live close to the consulates, you can go there on early morning on a working day, and apply for the tourist visa in person, and if everything is in order, you will receive it on the same afternoon.

For PIO card application, you only send the copy of the US passport. You will never have to send the origional US passport. They will send the PIO card booklet in about 2-3 weeks. Sometimes people have received the PIO cards in 1-2 weeks also. You will have to travel with both you US pssport and PIO card to India.

For OCI application, you only send the copy of the US passport, and other documents initially. Once they approve your application, they will inform you by an email, and ask you send the origional US passport for getting the U-visa sticker in your US passport. They will also mail the OCI certificate/booklet at the same time. The timeline varies greatly from one consulate to another. It has been taking 2-4 months in general. You will have to travel with your US pssport which has a U-visa and I believe carrying the OCI card booklet to India is optional as it's not a travel document and is just a proof that you're an OCI.
 
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