Conversion of existing PIO cards to OCI Cards – latest update from Indian Consulate, Atlanta

Procedure to be followed for conversion of existing valid PIO cards into OCI cards for all applicants falling under the consular jurisdiction of CGI Atlanta is as follows:

Applications submitted to M/s CKGS in person:

Applicants must provide the copy of foreign passport and original valid PIO card (and a copy) along with their applicationand other supporting documents.

Thereafter the application would be submitted to the Consulate by CKGS.

The applicant is expected to monitor the status of the OCI application at the links http://www.in.ckgs.us/trackandtrace/and http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury. If the tracking status on either/or both the websites indicate that the OCI document has been received at Atlanta, the applicant must send the original foreign valid passport to CKGS who would then forward the same to the Consulate.

Upon verification of the documents, the original documents (Passport and cancelled PIO card) would be returned along with the OCI card to CKGS for onward dispatch to the applicant.

Applications submitted through Post:

Applicants must provide notarized copies of clear photocopies of original foreign passport.  PIO Card (in original and photocopy)along with their OCI application and other supporting documents.

Thereafter the application would be submitted to the Consulate by CKGS.

The applicant is expected to monitor the status of the OCI application at the links http://www.in.ckgs.us/trackandtrace/and http://passport.gov.in/oci/statusEnqury. If the tracking status on either/or both the websites indicate that the OCI document has been received at Atlanta, the applicant must send the original foreign valid passport and PIO card to CKGS who would then forward the same to the Consulate.

Upon verification of the documents, the original documents (Passport and cancelled PIO card) would be returned along with the OCI card to CKGS for onward dispatch to the applicant.

Interim travel to India until the issue of OCI card to existing valid PIO cardholders:

Until applicants are in receipt of an OCI card issued in lieu of PIO card, they could travel to India with their valid foreign passport and valid PIO card.

How to apply if an OCI in lieu of PIO:

• Please visit the link: http://passport.gov.in/oci/capchaActionPIO.
• Such applications would be registered without payment of any registration fee. However, the applicant will have to pay the service charges for the outsourcing company, postage charges as well as the ICWF fee.
• The applicants may submit the applications for OCI card in lieu of PIO card to the Embassy/Consulates/FRRO concerned within the Consular jurisdiction of his/her place of residence.
• Applications for an OCI card in lieu of PIO card are to be submitted along with supporting documents at the M/s CKGS Atlanta service centre.
• The Consulate General of India, Atlanta, does not directly accept OCI applications from applicants, either in person at the consular counter or through mail.

In case of queries, applicants/existing cardholders may send an email to the following for clarification:

Updated information on requirement of registration for OCI in lieu of PIO cards

It is hereby informed that the date of submission of online applications by the PIO cardholders with valid PIO card for registration as OCI Card holder has been extended till 30 June 2016.

The applicants may submit the applications for OCI card in lieu of PIO card to the Embassy/Consulates/FRRO concerned within the Consular jurisdiction of his/her place of residence. This is in modification of the earlier instruction that they should apply only at the location where the PIO card was issued.

OCI card is a smart card which will facilitate quicker immigration clearance at the Immigration counters in India. Therefore, PIO cardholders are advised to apply for OCI card in lieu of PIO card before 30 June 2016 at https://passport.gov.in/oci. Process for applying OCI in lieu of PIO card is available at http://in.ckgs.us/oci/oci-categories/oci-in-lieu-of-pio-us-adult.shtml.

While the grant of OCI card in lieu of PIO card will be on gratis basis, the applicants may have to bear only the postage charges and service fee wherever applicable.

PIO cardholder can travel to India on the basis of their valid PIO card and valid foreign passport.

In cases of erstwhile PIO cardholders, the new foreign passport number (when they get a new passport) will be endorsed on the existing PIO card till the person concerned is issued an OCI card in lieu of PIO card.

Contact Information:

Tarlok Badhan, Vice Consul, email: passport@indianconsulateatlanta.org

Consulate Contact for OCI (404) 963-7742 /OCI@indianconsulateatlanta.org

CKGS Contact/ Telephone 516-206-1483/ 646-589-0088

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