Comparison of OCI and PIO (OCI vs PIO)
Initially Indian citizens living out of the country had the option of either applying for a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card or an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card. These acted as a long-term traveling and identifying document in lieu of a visa. Eventually these were merged and the Indian government advised everyone to apply for an OCI. Starting September 30, 2019, all PIOs will be deemed invalid and only OCIs will be acceptable as a valid traveling document for all travelers of Indian origin living abroad. Follow the OCI Application Procedure to apply for a OCI if you have not done so already.
Below is a comparison chart with sub-categories highlighting the similarities and differences between the OCI and PIO. This is for reference purposes only
OCI | PIO | |
---|---|---|
Who can apply? | Any person of Indian Lineage who is a foreign citizen and holds a foreign passport. | Any person of Indian Lineage who is a foreign citizen and holds a foreign passport. |
Where to apply? | CKGS Application Center in the applicant's jurisdiction. | CKGS Application Center in the applicant's jurisdiction. |
Official guidelines for eligibility | Any person who:
|
|
Requirement of Indian Visa | Not required | Not required |
Duration of entry to India | Multi-purpose multiple entry life-long permission to enter India. There is no restriction on the period of stay in India. | 15 years from the date of issue of PIO card. If the stay exceeds more than 180 days the PIO holders will have to register themselves with the concerned FRRO/FRO. |
Re-issue of services | Re-issue of OCI depends on age of the applicant that might prove to be restrictive. | PIO Card holders can apply for re-issue after the validity of 15 years is over. They need not apply for a new PIO Card every time a new passport is re-issued. |
Relatives | ||
Spouse of the Cardholder | Not eligible if the spouse is not of an Indian Origin. | Spouse eligible to apply even if not of Indian origin. |
Children | At least one parent must be a foreign citizen of Indian lineage. | Children born of parents who are both Indian Citizens are eligible. |
General Living in India | ||
Employment Opportunities in India | OCI Card holders do not require an employment visa and can stay in India indefinitely. No restrictions to pursue a profession except in areas that require special Protected and Restricted area permits. | PIO Card holders do not require employment visa. But if the stay exceeds 180 days they will have to register with the nearest FRO office. No restrictions to pursue a profession except in areas that require special Protected and Restricted area permits. |
Education | No separate Education Visa required and children can enroll in educational institutions under the NRI quota. | No separate Education Visa required and children can enroll in educational institutions under the NRI quota. |
Economic and Financial rights | Apart from investing in agricultural and plantation properties OCI card holder can get a PAN card, driver's license, open bank accounts, invest, and earn their income like regular citizens. | Apart from investing in agricultural and plantation properties PIO card holder can get a PAN card, driver's license, open bank accounts, invest, and earn their income like regular citizens. |
Taxation | India: Income earned in India is liable for taxation in India. Taxation in India also depends on whether the card holder has ROR (Ordinary Resident) or RNOR (not ordinarily resident) status. USA: USA taxes its residents on worldwide tax incomes. However the tax amount can be reduced or minimized under Double Taxation laws or DTAA. | India: Income earned in India is liable for taxation in India. Taxation in India also depends on whether the card holder has ROR (Ordinary Resident) or RNOR (not ordinarily resident) status. Possession of an immovable property (house, land etc) will not be taxed however the sale that results in profit of an immovable property will be taxed. USA: USA taxes its residents on worldwide tax incomes. However the tax amount can be reduced or minimized under Double Taxation laws or DTAA. |
Documentation and Processing | ||
Type of Documents Issued | OCI Card and U Visa Sticker. The sticker will be attached to the passport. | PIO Booklet with all the information of the card-holder. |
Processing | 2-step process: | 1-step process: |
Processing Time | 8-10 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
Interchanging status (OCI to PIO or PIO to OCI) | Usually OCI card holders do not change to PIO status. | A PIO card holder can surrender the PIO card and get an OCI card. |
Restrictions | ||
|
| |
Acquisition of Indian Citizenship | ||
|
| |
Fees | ||
For OCI fee, visit | For PIO fee, visit http://www.path2usa.com/pio-card-fees |