PIO for my infant

[soggadu]

Guys and gals...

Can you please help me out with your experiences on getting PIO card for the newborn?

Thanks in advance....

[EB2Dec2007]

soggadu,

I have recently apllied for PIO for my new born and it was pretty easy. Indian consulate does not process PIO's anymore it haas been outsourced to Travisa. Website is https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/pio/homepage. And go to requirements page and they are spelled out very clearly. It only took 3 business day for them to approve PIO card. And Also you can track the status online.

[qesehmk]

soggadu - somewhat offtopic information ...

We wanted to apply for OCI i.e. dual citizenship of India for our kids. But apparently you have to be an adult US citizen yourself or at least must have parents as US citizens to be eligible to be OCI. In other words children of H1B or Green card holding parents are not eligible for OCI.

OCI is clearly better than PIO since OCI is lifetime whereas PIO is 5 years only. And since OCI is actually a citizen - enjoys local fees rates for education vs PIO and can buy all kinds of properties vs PIOs who I think can't buy property - at least not all kinds of property.

[leo4ever]

@Soggadu,

I applied for my new born couple of months ago from Houston. It was very easy process and friendly staff. You can go to travista website and fill the documents. You need to have US Passport for your daughter and also the birth registration certificate stating your name.

Thanks,
Anil


Guys and gals...

Can you please help me out with your experiences on getting PIO card for the newborn?

Thanks in advance....

[TeddyKoochu]

soggadu - somewhat offtopic information ...

We wanted to apply for OCI i.e. dual citizenship of India for our kids. But apparently you have to be an adult US citizen yourself or at least must have parents as US citizens to be eligible to be OCI. In other words children of H1B or Green card holding parents are not eligible for OCI.

OCI is clearly better than PIO since OCI is lifetime whereas PIO is 5 years only. And since OCI is actually a citizen - enjoys local fees rates for education vs PIO and can buy all kinds of properties vs PIOs who I think can't buy property - at least not all kinds of property.

Q, I heard that once our kids turn 18 they can get OCI card under the current norms. This is a firsthand account from one of my wife’s friends who used to work in the consulate in NYC.
Their rationale is that till the age of 18 the child has the option to take Indian citizenship itself. The guidelines to restrict our kids to PIO I believe are not fair or rational considering that if 1 parent is a foreign national you become eligible it’s like penalizing for us being Indian citizens, you are right OCI is much better than PIO, on PIO one has to register every 6 months for a longer stay in India.

[qesehmk]

Teddy

Exactly. That's why I said "you have to be an adult US citizen yourself OR" above.
It indeed feels like penalizing us for being Indian citizens. Stupid bureacracy and politicians at work..what else? :(


Q, I heard that once our kids turn 18 they can get OCI card under the current norms. This is a firsthand account from one of my wife’s friends who used to work in the consulate in NYC.
Their rationale is that till the age of 18 the child has the option to take Indian citizenship itself. The guidelines to restrict our kids to PIO I believe are not fair or rational considering that if 1 parent is a foreign national you become eligible it’s like penalizing for us being Indian citizens, you are right OCI is much better than PIO, on PIO one has to register every 6 months for a longer stay in India.

[soggadu]

Thank you EB2DEC2007, Sportsfan33,Q,teddy and Anil urff leo4ever for your inputs... i will take a look and depend back on you guys if any questions or concerns.
Waise now we have jaan pehchaan with sportsfan bhai's friend... phir kya load hien...

[TeddyKoochu]

Teddy

Exactly. That's why I said "you have to be an adult US citizen yourself OR" above.
It indeed feels like penalizing us for being Indian citizens. Stupid bureacracy and politicians at work..what else? :(

Q, thanks I did not realize this interpretation. The rule is absolutely unfair once again country of chargeability of 1 parent making the difference.

[TeddyKoochu]

We got the PIO for 15 years for our daughter in 2010. Is it reduced to only 5 years now?

Sports I had got the PIO for my daughter back in 2009 that time they had something for new born kids it used to be for 5 years and subsequent renewal would be longer term (More no of years) maybe things have changed now.