Can I get lost PIO card replaced in India?

NonIndianResident

Does anyone if you can get a lost PIO card replaced in India although it was originally issued abroad? (I'm a foreign spouse of an Indian, and reside in India, ie non-Indian, but resident)

I've looked on the Ministry of Home Affairs website page about PIO cards: http://www.mha.nic.in/uniquepage.asp?ID_PK=84

Of lost PIO cards, it says:
"Duplicate PIO cards will be issued by the same office that issued the original one"
The problem is, I originally got it in New York, but I am in India now. Mravisri wrote a post about this problem in 2007 but she never followed up to say how it worked out in the end.

As Nick, ever pertinent and perspicacious, pointed out, the problem would be that one cannot leave India to go back to New York without a valid visa or PIO Card, because the immigration guys at the airport check to make sure you haven't overstayed.

I'm planning to fly to Delhi and go to the Home Ministry, which is where I would have to apply for a new PIO card if I were going to do so. Of course to complicate things, my Indian husband is not in the country right now so I won't be able to submit his original passport, and our marriage certificate is from the US, and way back when the Home Ministry wouldn't accept it. I DO have a photocopy of the PIO card and my most recent registration (phew!)

Does anybody know anybody who lost their PIO card while in India and got it replaced although it had been originally issued abroad?

Nick-H

Phew Indeed!

I think (my guess only) that this gives you a pretty good chance. As you say, you have to do something so as to be able to leave the country when the time comes, so you might as well start by reporting the loss of, and requesting a replacement.

Ultimately, I guess that the only way you'll find out is by asking... Go for it! Let us know how you get one!


(You wouldn't give them your only photocopy of that card, would you? No... Of course not )

Haylo

As you have a photocopy of the original, and presumably the NY office has all the records from when it issued your PIO card, there is a just slim chance that they might be prepared to reissue your PIO card by post.

I know, that would be just too easy, but it might be worth asking...

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Nick-H

My suspicion is that all PIO card records, ultimately, will be held in Delhi.

Of course, how long it takes them to reach there, and how long it takes to find them --- these are different matters!

manisha_nair_us

hi

I am in same situation here in India. I am US citizen of Indian origin and lost my PIO card as well as US passport. I did get US passport replaced but do not know how to get PIO card. I called local FRRO office and they pointed me to delhi office. There no one picks up the phone. I called Indian Consulate in SFO and they said they can give me visa to go back if I come there but they didnt know how I can get exit visa. I am going to try going to Bombay FRRO office and try getting exit visa.

Can the person who started this thread write to me so I can exchange emails ? Please give me any information you got. I am really in this mess and do not know how to proceed. My mail address is manisha_nair_us@yahoo.com

Hal

Boston123

How about if you simply applied for a new PIO card ? Start from square one.

manisha_nair_us

But I am in India and I do not know where and how to apply. I have been running around from FRRO to Delhi office (on phone) and I do not have a clear answer.

Haylo

That would only be possible with a current entry visa in their passport, which is a condition of applying for a new PIO card. Unlike the OP' who at least has a photocopy of their lost PIO card, manisha_nair_us has no "proof" that they are not an illegal immigrant so couldn't just ignore the current PIO card and start from scratch.

Nick-H

You have to apply at FRRO (Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs) --- they handle all such issues, and if they cannot replace your lost PIO Card, they are the people to see for an exit visa.

That is FRRO, not FRO! FROs are the police officers that register locals etc; FRRO are at the four main regional immigration offices.

You can find the addresses on the Bureau of Immigration website. Delhi, of course, is "Head Office"

You're going to have to give up the telephone and go and visit your nearest!

manisha_nair_us

Thanks ! I think I agree with your advice .I will have to visit them in person.

manisha_nair_us

I do have a copy of my PIO card BTW. and my registration.

Madhu10

Why apply for PIO when you can apply for OCI. Is that not better.

I have to do the same as I want to seriously thinking about staying back in India for couple of years ( been traveling here) and do not want to keep coming and going every 6 months.

I lost all the research I had done on this :-(.

If somebody has links and all please could you post them :-)

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manisha_nair_us

I visited FRRO in Mumbai yesterday. They told me to get NOC from Pune FRO to get my Exit visa . They said since I have gotten the PIO in US i have to go to US to replace it. I cant apply for OCI as I have PIO and its needed to be able to get ICI

So only option is to
1) apply for exit visa
2) go to US
3) Get a temp visa or PIO from there.
4) Come back to India and apply for OCI

Madhu10

Sorry to hear that Manish. Feel for ya.