PIO Card (Conversion of PIO to OCI)

The PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn vide Gazette Notification No.25024/9/2014F.I dated 09.01.2015.  Henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY, as PIO card scheme is no longer in existence. Conversion of PIO to OCI card was free of cost till December 31, 2017. However, with effect from 1st March 2018, applicant must pay a fee of NZ$156 each application.

Validity of PIO cards for travel has been extended by another six months and now one can travel to India with a valid foreign passport and PIO card up to 30.9.2019. However, the extension of the timeline is subject to the condition that if at any time the International Civil Aviation Organisation makes handwritten PIO cards invalid then the PIO card holders will have to obtain appropriate visa before travelling to India. All PIO card holders are hereby once again urged to convert their PIO cards to OCI cards by following the instructions. 

A separate online application form for submission of application for registration as OCI cardholder in lieu of PIO card is available at https://ociservices.gov.in/

All the existing PIO card holders are urged to apply urgently for conversion of PIO to OCI.

Step-1	Step-2	Step-3
Complete the online registration & print the form. The photo/ signatures & documents must be uploaded.	Submit/Courier the completed application to High Commission along with the documents as per the PIO to OCI CHECKLIST	OCI card application takes 45 days to process.  Status can be checked online: https://ociservices.gov.in/

[ Please use "Internet Explorer" or "Google Chrome" browser. Online registration is not compatible with "Apple Mac Safari" browser, I-pad etc ]

Important note: All applications must be submitted along with Original Passport and Original PIO card. In case you are unable to submit the passport, photocopy is also accepted. However, the original passport will be required at the time of issue of OCI. It is applicant’s responsibility to send original Passport for stamping when the OCI documents arrive from Delhi.

Status of application can be confirmed by checking the Status online at: https://ociservices.gov.in/  ). 

Direct link for PIO to OCI Registration: https://ociservices.gov.in/

PIO to OCI CHECKLIST: DOWNLOAD

Acknowledgement & Status Inquiry:

OCI Applications received with complete documentations will be acknowledged within 10-12 working days.

For Acknowledgement & Status Inquiry you will need your passport number and the 12 digit Registration number NZLW_ _ _ _ _ _17 at https://ociservices.gov.in/

Processing Time:

• Processing time will be 45 days from the date of Acknowledgement. 
• Your application may take longer if it is submitted without all required documentations.
• If there is any deficiency in the application/ uploaded documents/ photograph, the High Commission may return the application to the applicant. The applicant would then need to re-submit the application after completing/uploading the required documents.
• NO urgent service available for OCI application. 
• PLEASE NOTE: This time frame is indicative only, process may take longer so we strictly advise DO NOT book ticket before getting OCI

Once the status enquiry shows "Documents received at Wellington" applicants must send their original valid passport, original PIO card with a prepaid courier bag to the High Commission, if not submitted earlier.

Prescribed fee and mode of payment:

• At High Commission’s Counter – payable by banker’s cheque in favour of “High Commission of India, Wellington” or by Debit Card only. We do not accept Credit Cards/Money Orders/Credit Card etc. 
  
  
• By Courier/Post – 
• Online Bank Transfer Click here
• By Banker’s Cheque in favour of “High Commission of India, Wellington” payable at Wellington. Personal Cheques or Money Orders/Credit Card are not accepted.  

Photo Specifications:

• The height and width of the Applicant Photo must be equal in the square shape.
• Photo should have light colour background (not white).
• Photo should have front view of person’s head and shoulders showing the full face in the middle of the photograph.
• Photograph should not be stapled or signed.

Jurisdiction:

• This High Commission has jurisdiction over New Zealand, Republic of Samoa and Niue.
• Application submitted at this High Commission cannot be transferred to any other Indian High Commission/Embassy/Mission/Post or FRRO.
• The applicants who are physically present in the JURISDICTION can apply for OCI at this High Commission. The applicants who are not present in the Jurisdiction of this High Commission, should contact the Indian Mission/Embassy/High Commission in their country of residence . This High Commission can not accept the application from outside its Jurisdiction.

Application with correct documentations can be couriered to: 

OCI SERVICES
High Commission of India
72 Pipitea Street, Thorndon,
Wellington-6011 PO Box:4045
New Zealand

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