Entering India with a PIO card.

abfab · Jan 26th, 2007, 21:29

Hi Guys,

I'm planning to travel to India in a few weeks, and it will be the first time I will be using a PIO card instead of a normal tourist visa for entry (both with a British passport).

It's been a while since I last visited, so I can't actually remember what the normal entry/exit procedures were (regarding form filling etc) with a tourist visa.

However I was wondering what the differences in procedures will be when I use my PIO card, compared to a normal tourist visa?

Do I fill in the same landing (and exit) forms as a normal foreign tourist with a visa would, or do I have to fill in a different form (if at all)?

Do I queue up at the same immigration desk as foreign tourist visa holders, or do I goto a different desk?

Am I basically still treated as a normal visa holder, or do I do the same things as an Indian passport holder would?

Are there any other differences in the entry and exit formalities compared to a tourist visa?

I will be travelling with a friend who will still have a normal tourist visa so I think I will be extra confused!

Any advice would be appreciated

thank you.

bellcrank · Jan 26th, 2007, 21:56

Just fill in the landing card as usual (you will still have to put in your foreign passport details), and then put in your PIO number where is says visa number, likewise date and place of issue and expiry date.

Mumbai now has a special desk for PIO cardholders, last time I went to Delhi it didn't matter where you queued if I recall correctly.

At least now they are fairly common and the immigration officers will know what they are looking at. The biggest problem is when you check in overseas, and the check-in staff look for a visa and then disappesr for 15 minutes while they consult someone else to check that it is OK. That's happened many times to me - very annoying.

abfab · Jan 26th, 2007, 23:23

Thank you for that, I'll be landing at Mumbai so I'll look out for the special desk.

As you could in theory be staying permanently on a PIO card, do you know if there are any additional hassles about bringing a laptop with you when you enter?

Nick-H · Jan 27th, 2007, 00:26

You are allowed that one laptop.

Maybe you're supposed to take it away with you, but I don't think anyone is going to check

So don't worry about it.

The customs man isn't going to know about your visa type unless he has found reason to stop you already, and that probably isn't going to happen if there is nothing about you your or baggage to arouse suspicion.

NonIndianResident · Mar 29th, 2007, 01:38

That special lane for PIO card holders and diplomats in Delhi is great! When there are hundreds of people lined up for immigration, you can just squeeze through -- scuse me, sorry, scuse me, sorry -- and sail through the PIO/Diplomat lane. But then you still have to wait at least 45 minutes for your luggage so it doesn't make a difference.

Nick-H · Mar 29th, 2007, 01:45

That sounds great

Here in Chennai it is just Indian Nationals of Foreigners queue. I guess we have to stay with the foreigners --- I haven't used mine to enter the country yet...

Jan 26th, 2007, 21:29	#1
abfab Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 98	Entering India with a PIO card. Hi Guys, I'm planning to travel to India in a few weeks, and it will be the first time I will be using a PIO card instead of a normal tourist visa for entry (both with a British passport). It's been a while since I last visited, so I can't actually remember what the normal entry/exit procedures were (regarding form filling etc) with a tourist visa. However I was wondering what the differences in procedures will be when I use my PIO card, compared to a normal tourist visa? Do I fill in the same landing (and exit) forms as a normal foreign tourist with a visa would, or do I have to fill in a different form (if at all)? Do I queue up at the same immigration desk as foreign tourist visa holders, or do I goto a different desk? Am I basically still treated as a normal visa holder, or do I do the same things as an Indian passport holder would? Are there any other differences in the entry and exit formalities compared to a tourist visa? I will be travelling with a friend who will still have a normal tourist visa so I think I will be extra confused! Any advice would be appreciated thank you.

Jan 27th, 2007, 00:26	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,923	You are allowed that one laptop. Maybe you're supposed to take it away with you, but I don't think anyone is going to check So don't worry about it. The customs man isn't going to know about your visa type unless he has found reason to stop you already, and that probably isn't going to happen if there is nothing about you your or baggage to arouse suspicion. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jan 26th, 2007, 21:56	#2
bellcrank Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: uk Posts: 62	Just fill in the landing card as usual (you will still have to put in your foreign passport details), and then put in your PIO number where is says visa number, likewise date and place of issue and expiry date. Mumbai now has a special desk for PIO cardholders, last time I went to Delhi it didn't matter where you queued if I recall correctly. At least now they are fairly common and the immigration officers will know what they are looking at. The biggest problem is when you check in overseas, and the check-in staff look for a visa and then disappesr for 15 minutes while they consult someone else to check that it is OK. That's happened many times to me - very annoying.

Jan 26th, 2007, 23:23	#3
abfab Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London Posts: 98	Thank you for that, I'll be landing at Mumbai so I'll look out for the special desk. As you could in theory be staying permanently on a PIO card, do you know if there are any additional hassles about bringing a laptop with you when you enter?

Mar 29th, 2007, 01:38	#5
NonIndianResident Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: India Posts: 57	That special lane for PIO card holders and diplomats in Delhi is great! When there are hundreds of people lined up for immigration, you can just squeeze through -- scuse me, sorry, scuse me, sorry -- and sail through the PIO/Diplomat lane. But then you still have to wait at least 45 minutes for your luggage so it doesn't make a difference.

Mar 29th, 2007, 01:45	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,923	That sounds great Here in Chennai it is just Indian Nationals of Foreigners queue. I guess we have to stay with the foreigners --- I haven't used mine to enter the country yet...

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