Applying for PIO after Marriage to Indian Citizen.

vajrakrishna · Sep 30th, 2009, 16:00

Hi guys,

I have a query. I am an Australian Citizen who married an Indian Citizen in June this year. I then enquired of the procedure to stay in India, and was told I need to apply for a Multiple X Visa, and after 1 year of marriage, I can then apply for a PIO.

Accordingly, I took the advised process. The first part being a 3 month extension period where they verify the legitimacy of the application, after which the Multiple X is provided.

On my second trip to New Delhi Ministry, where the Multiple X grant letter was given to me to take back to the FRO in Bangalore (where I reside), the officer who looked after my case told me I can apply for PIO right now.

Which puzzled me a lot. I wouldn't want to waste time getting a Multiple X before a PIO if that's not even necessary.

So, I need to confirm. Is it possible to get a PIO after marriage to an Indian Citizen, or was the initial information correct that after marriage you need to wait one year?

The officer seemed to be well informed when he told me I can immediately apply for PIO, so I am a little confused, and hope you can help me figure things out.

Cheers,
Vajra.

Nick-H · Sep 30th, 2009, 17:17

People are told they have to wait. It is not a matter of codified rules, it is a matter of policy, and the waiting period changes according to where you are applying.

If they will accept your application without waiting, that sounds good --- but, if they then refuse it, that sound expensive!

swanny · Nov 19th, 2009, 16:16

Hi vajrakrishna,

I'm in the same position as you.

Just got my X visa (1 year extension.

Now looking at what I need to do re: the PIO process, and when I can start it.

What did you find out?

joseph10 · Nov 19th, 2009, 17:27

What Nick says is true.

I'm european and also married to an Indian lady for almost 5 years now.
Everywhere you will hear about the (unwritten) 1 year marriage rule or even 2 or 5 (depends on the officer, mood etc.)

Start of this month i finally got my PIO, 17 months after my second application.

You can read several threads about PIO, and experience learns the processing time is long. People with 3 months visa extensions etc. often find themselves into trouble.

Be careful for friendly officers offering help telling it is easy. It is not.
Probably they try to get some money out of you and after that they really don't care. (or you must be lucky)

I suggest you obtain the X visa, wait till you're married for one year and then apply for the PIO.

vajrakrishna · Nov 19th, 2009, 17:42

Hi Swanny,

Well, I went on to find out that the waiting period for a PIO varies according to the country you are from and their specific restrictions.

Australia (where I am from), has immigration laws that require a one year wait, which is why I was told to wait for one year after marriage.

Having said all that I would be interested to look further into what people have written about obtaining PIO in other threads here.

joseph10 · Nov 19th, 2009, 18:03

You could read "PIO refusal" in the "you are not alone" forum. My story about PIO and experiences from others.

Sep 30th, 2009, 16:00	#1
vajrakrishna Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8	Applying for PIO after Marriage to Indian Citizen. Hi guys, I have a query. I am an Australian Citizen who married an Indian Citizen in June this year. I then enquired of the procedure to stay in India, and was told I need to apply for a Multiple X Visa, and after 1 year of marriage, I can then apply for a PIO. Accordingly, I took the advised process. The first part being a 3 month extension period where they verify the legitimacy of the application, after which the Multiple X is provided. On my second trip to New Delhi Ministry, where the Multiple X grant letter was given to me to take back to the FRO in Bangalore (where I reside), the officer who looked after my case told me I can apply for PIO right now. Which puzzled me a lot. I wouldn't want to waste time getting a Multiple X before a PIO if that's not even necessary. So, I need to confirm. Is it possible to get a PIO after marriage to an Indian Citizen, or was the initial information correct that after marriage you need to wait one year? The officer seemed to be well informed when he told me I can immediately apply for PIO, so I am a little confused, and hope you can help me figure things out. Cheers, Vajra.

Nov 19th, 2009, 16:16	#3
swanny Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bombay Posts: 6	vajrakrishna - Outcome? Hi vajrakrishna, I'm in the same position as you. Just got my X visa (1 year extension. Now looking at what I need to do re: the PIO process, and when I can start it. What did you find out?

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Sep 30th, 2009, 17:17	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,194	People are told they have to wait. It is not a matter of codified rules, it is a matter of policy, and the waiting period changes according to where you are applying. If they will accept your application without waiting, that sounds good --- but, if they then refuse it, that sound expensive!

Nov 19th, 2009, 17:27	#4
joseph10 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tamil nadu Posts: 77	What Nick says is true. I'm european and also married to an Indian lady for almost 5 years now. Everywhere you will hear about the (unwritten) 1 year marriage rule or even 2 or 5 (depends on the officer, mood etc.) Start of this month i finally got my PIO, 17 months after my second application. You can read several threads about PIO, and experience learns the processing time is long. People with 3 months visa extensions etc. often find themselves into trouble. Be careful for friendly officers offering help telling it is easy. It is not. Probably they try to get some money out of you and after that they really don't care. (or you must be lucky) I suggest you obtain the X visa, wait till you're married for one year and then apply for the PIO.

Nov 19th, 2009, 17:42	#5
vajrakrishna Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8	Hi Swanny, Well, I went on to find out that the waiting period for a PIO varies according to the country you are from and their specific restrictions. Australia (where I am from), has immigration laws that require a one year wait, which is why I was told to wait for one year after marriage. Having said all that I would be interested to look further into what people have written about obtaining PIO in other threads here.

Nov 19th, 2009, 18:03	#6
joseph10 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: tamil nadu Posts: 77	You could read "PIO refusal" in the "you are not alone" forum. My story about PIO and experiences from others.