The PIO scheme has ended. Find out exactly what former PIO cardholders need to do in 2026 to travel to India again.
PIO cards are no longer valid for travel to India, and PIO→OCI conversion closed at the end of 2025. This free checker gives you the honest 2026 position and your clearest next step.
The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) scheme has been fully retired. Two dates matter: PIO cards became invalid for travel to India from 1 January 2026, and the PIO→OCI conversion window closed after 31 December 2025.
This means there is no longer a discounted conversion path. The honest position is that former PIO holders now apply for a fresh OCI card at the full fee. The good news: if you qualified for PIO, you almost certainly qualify for OCI, and your old PIO and origin documents make the application straightforward.
We use the documents you already have — your PIO card, passport history and origin paperwork — to assemble a complete fresh OCI application.
We never promise a cheap or free conversion that no longer exists — just the cleanest, fastest fresh OCI.
The services this tool relates to — handled end to end, with document checks and VFS booking included.
No. PIO→OCI conversion was discontinued after 31 December 2025. Former PIO holders now apply for a fresh OCI card at the full fee — there is no cheaper conversion route remaining.
No. PIO cards have been invalid for travel to India since 1 January 2026. You'll need either a valid OCI card or an appropriate Indian visa to travel.
You don't lose your eligibility for OCI itself — if you qualified for PIO, you almost certainly qualify for OCI. The change is simply that it's now a fresh OCI application at the standard fee rather than a discounted conversion.
Yes. We specialise in exactly this transition — using your existing PIO and origin documents to build a clean fresh OCI application and submit it through VFS on your behalf.