What is the Difference Between PIO and OCI?

Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)

PIO refers to a foreign citizen (except a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal) who previously held an Indian passport or whose ancestors were Indian citizens.

Spouses of Indian citizens and people who could establish a significant connection with India through origin, marriage, etc. are also added to the eligibility criteria.

Benefits of PIO Status

PIO status offers a range of benefits, rights and privileges that are as follows:
 

• PIO card holders can visit India without a visa for 15 years from the date of issuance of the card.
  
  
• PIO card holders are exempted from registering with the Foreign Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) if they intend to stay in India for 180 days.
  
  However, if the stay is more than 180 days, PIO cardholders must register with the nearby FRRO/FRO within 30 days.
  
  
• PIO card holders have access to Indian educational institutes and healthcare facilities on par with NRIs.
  
  
• PIO card holders can reside and work in India without an employment visa. There are no employment restrictions except for sectors that require protected and restricted area permits.
  
  
• PIO card holders can own immovable properties, make investments and participate in business ventures in India.
  
  
• PIO cardholders can obtain a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card, driver’s license, open bank accounts, and access loans like Indian citizens.

Documents Required for PIO Card

Here is a list of PIO documents needed for the PIO card application:
 

• Original passport (existing/expired)
• At least two from the list of the following documents:
  
  
  1. photocopy of an expired Indian passport
  2. The applicant’s and parents/grandparents' birth certificate
  3. The applicant’s and parents/grandparents' nationality certificate
  4. Applicant’s or parents/grandparents’ school/college leaving certificates
  5. Photocopy or original copy of the Indian passport of the applicant’s parents/grandparents
      
• In the case of the spouse of a PIO, the following documents are needed:
  
  
  1. Indian passport or PIO card of the spouse
  2. Original marriage certificate  
  3. Four passport-size photographs

Overseas Citizen of India (OCI)

OCI refers to a foreign national who was an Indian citizen or eligible to become an Indian citizen on or after 26^th January 1950 or belonged to a region that became part of India after 15^th August 1947.

Children and grandchildren of such an individual also enjoy eligibility for OCI status. However, an applicant who has ever been a Pakistani or Bangladeshi citizen cannot apply for an OCI card.

Benefits of OCI Status

• OCI cardholders are not required to register with the FRRO/FRO irrespective of their stay duration.
• OCI cardholders can obtain a PAN card or driver’s license, open a bank account, and access loans like Indian citizens.
• OCI cardholders do not require an employment visa to work and reside in India. They are not restricted to work in any sector except those requiring special protected and restricted area permits.
• OCI card holders have access to Indian educational institutes and healthcare facilities on par with NRIs.
• OCI cardholders can own immovable properties, make investments and participate in business ventures in India.

Documents Required for OCI card

To apply for an OCI card, you need to furnish the following documents:
 

• Indian passport if you had one. If not, then you have to provide other documents like a nativity certificate for verification and authentication purposes.
• Birth certificate
• Passport or local residence proof to establish the citizenship of another country.
• Four passport-size photographs
• Proof of relationship if you are applying based on your Indian parents' citizenship.
• Attach all the duplicate copies of the mentioned documents with the application.

Difference Between PIO and OCI

The table below sums up the difference between PIO and OCI:

Limitations to PIO and OCI Statuses

While OCI PIO card bestow multiple rights and privileges on their holders, they come with the following restrictions:
 

• PIO and OCI cardholders cannot own agricultural or plantation property.
• They do not enjoy employment rights in Government of India undertakings.
• They do not have the privilege of holding constitutional offices in the Government of India.
• PIO and OCI cardholders do not have the right to vote or to be elected to Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assemblies/Councils, constitutional posts like the President, Vice President, Supreme Court judge, etc.
• Both require special permits to carry out missionary or research work, enter protected and restricted areas or mountaineering.

Wrapping Up

So, this was all about the difference between PIO and OCI cards. As per the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2015, PIO cardholders are deemed OCI cardholders from September 2019. The merger of both cards by the government of India aims to streamline residency norms. Hence, as a foreign citizen of Indian origin, you will now have to apply for the OCI card only for seamless travel to India.

As far as the difference between NRI and OCI is concerned, nn NRI is an ordinary Indian citizen living abroad who possesses an Indian passport. On the other hand, an OCI is a citizen of another country who was an Indian citizen or eligible to become an Indian citizen on or after 26^th January 1950 or belonged to a region that became part of India after 15^th August 1947.