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29 March 2024

India 'Visa for Life' for Persons of Indian Origin

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen on a screen as he greets scientists alongside a graphic of the Mars Orbiter Spacecraft (MoM), after the spacecraft successfully entered the Mars orbit, at the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bangalore on September 24, 2014. (AFP)

Published
By Eudore R Chand

Latest: According to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official website, the Union Government has moved swiftly to implement the announcements on consular and visa issues made during his address at the Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 28, 2014.

The website states that according to a Gazette notification issued on September 30, 2014, all PIO cards are now valid for the lifetime of the cardholder, instead of 15 years.

“This effectively fulfils the Prime Minister’s announcement that PIO cardholders would enjoy a lifelong visa to India,” the website states, adding, “Further, following the Prime Minister’s announcement that PIO cardholders would be exempt from police reporting, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued instructions through the same Gazette notification dated September 30th, that PIO cardholders would not be required to report to a police station even if their visit to India exceeds 180 days.”

Instructions have also been issued to Embassies and Consulates that unless there are exceptional circumstances, visas to US nationals should normally be given for 10 years.

Earlier report:

Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), will be given a life-long visa by India, according to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

America passport holders travelling to India will also be given a 'hassle-free Visa on Arrival', said Modi while addressing a sell-out 20,000 strong primarily Indian-American crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York on Sunday night.

He also said that American passport holders visiting India for tourism purposes will be given a 'Long-Term' visa.

Modi also spoke about foreign nationals married to Indians or PIOs. He said the visa regime will be relaxed to include spouses of PIOs.

The Indian Prime Minister said the two concurrent schemes - PIO and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) will be merged into one scheme.

Also Read: Indians in UAE ready to welcome Modi

He also pointed out that currently foreign passport holding Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) on long term visits to India, have to report to the police station at regular intervals to report their whereabouts. "This will not be required soon."

He also revealed that his government is making outsourcing services easier for NRIs to operate.

"All these changes will come into effect in a few months, Modi told a jubilant crowd.

NRIs welcome move

"Lifelong visas for holders of  Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)  card and also merging of PIO and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card are most welcome steps taken by Prime Minister of India  and this will really help the Indians who visit India for leisure as well as to meet the relatives, said Kamal Vachani, Regional Director of Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) of India and Group Director of Dubai-based Al Maya Group.

"Visa on Arrival for American passport holders will  boost the Indian tourism industry  as well as economy and also help tourists understand the Indian tradition  and culture.

"The withdrawal of the reporting to police stations by the NRIs holding foreign passport on regular intervals will really help the general tourist travel to India and this will really boost travelers to India," he added.

[Image via Shutterstock]