PIO vs OCI length of stay

[ronnieboy]

Unlike visa holders, PIOs (and OCI’s) are not subject to the new 2-month gap between visits. So if a PIO cardholder wants to avoid registration after 180 days, can he leave the country before 180 days and go to Sri Lanka or some nearby country for a day or two and then reenter India? Can that be done every 180 days?

[immihelp]

Instead of taking the trouble of flying to Sri Lanka, why would you not just register?

[curtdfw]

Yes, but why bother? Granted that going to the FRO isn't anyone's idea of a good time but, once registration is done, you don't have to re-register for some years, and don't have to mess with leaving the country every six months.

[ronnieboy]

I don't mind spending half a day at the local police station and being harassed or expected to bribe (I have no moral compunctions about bribing, it's just a cost of doing business, and I'd be glad to augment the salaries of low paid government workers - we tip waiters, don't we?) if the benefit will accrue for a few years, but once they have you in their crosshairs I'm not sure what repercussions there might be down the road. I don't anticipate an extended stay but you never know, and I'm not too enthused about the OCI option yet.

What happens if you overstay on a PIO and don't register? I understand there's a $30 fee for late reg, but how late?

[curtdfw]

What happens if you overstay on a PIO and don't register? I understand there's a $30 fee for late reg, but how late?

Overstaying is potentially serious, and would open you up to all sort of attention from the authorities -- much more than complying with registration requirements, I'd think. I don't believe there's a formal 'grades of lateness' schedule, but that would certainly get you in the crosshairs...

[ronnieboy]

Hi Curt,

You have a PIO because you are nondesi but I think you are considering OCI for your desi wife if she becomes a US citizen. Could you share your thinking on this - why OCI rather than PIO? I know OCI is $90 less than PIO but I'm inclined to pay the higher amount just to avoid Delhi babucracy and be in limbo for a few months (I'd rather put up with Houston babucracy and the shorter time frame).

When I retire to India I'll consider OCI but for the next few years I don't see any advantage of OCI over PIO. Am I missing something?

Also, do you know if the PIO card has to be endorsed when you get a new passport or can you carry the old passport with you?

Thanks,
Ron

[immihelp]

PIO card does not have to be endorsed. You can carry both passports and PIO.

The same thing does not work for many people for OCI, who are too young or too old.

Strange.

[ronnieboy]

Thanks, immihelp. I think I'll apply for a PIO rather than OCI. It just seems less of a hassle. The only real comparative benefit of OCI is you don't need to register with the police every few years. The lifetime visa isn't so much of a benefit if they require you to get a reissued OCI when you change your passport - unless you are age 20 to 50 and I'm not in that age bracket, neither is my wife nor son. And if they put me in jail for drunk driving in Italy or if I need a plane out of Haiti, they probably wouldn't let me access the US Consulate if I am an OCI.

[curtdfw]

[QUOTE=ronnieboy;196685]Hi Curt,

You have a PIO because you are nondesi but I think you are considering OCI for your desi wife if she becomes a US citizen. Could you share your thinking on this - why OCI rather than PIO? I know OCI is $90 less than PIO but I'm inclined to pay the higher amount just to avoid Delhi babucracy and be in limbo for a few months (I'd rather put up with Houston babucracy and the shorter time frame).

Yes, my wife will presumably go for OCI once she's a US citizen, though you have a good point about the PIO path being a simpler and quicker one...

When I retire to India I'll consider OCI but for the next few years I don't see any advantage of OCI over PIO. Am I missing something?

Well, the only two advantages of OCI are 1) lifetime validity vs 15 years for PIO; 2) no need to register with the FRRO ever with OCI vs having to register for stays of over 180 days with PIO. The value of those is pretty much a personal call...

Also, do you know if the PIO card has to be endorsed when you get a new passport or can you carry the old passport with you?

As noted, you can carry the old passport with you. There are, however, two blank lines in the PIO booklet for update of passport numbers. The consulate charges something like $10-20 for the service.

[immihelp]

Regarding OCI, Dept of State has clarified that they know that it is not a dual citizenship, but more like a "greencard" for India.

Therefore, you would be citizen of only the U.S.

Of course, if you go overseas, the local laws would apply no matter who you are.

[ronnieboy]

thanks guys, this is a pretty good site, good info. I was getting frustrated trying to get answers from CGI.