Hi there
Has anyone please had (or known of anyone who had) any recent experiences applying for a PIO card from the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi? How easy was it? Did you have to visit Delhi only once for the application, or more? How long did the whole process take?
I am married to an Indian National, and having almost been married one year, I am almost eligible to apply for a PIO - indeed I will be applying next month.
However I am not sure whether to risk applying for the PIO from Delhi itself (I have to go to the MHA in Delhi as I live in Bangalore which has no home office) OR if I should apply from London, UK? The cost of the latter would be more expensive (at least for travelling there!) but if it is much quicker than Delhi then I am open to going there of course!
I am a British national, and currently on a 1 year spouse (entry) visa to India. I also have a residency permit (ie. I am registered with the police). I have only officially been resident since last month, as before that I was on a tourist visa.
Any advice would be MUCH appreciated!
Cheers
James (new to this forum from today!)
1
Pio Applications From Mha Delhi
Started by
James
, Apr 17 2008 07:05 PM
5 replies to this topic
#2
Hyderabadi
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Posted 17 April 2008 - 08:04 PM
Hi James, welcome to The IndiaTree! 
Some one should be along soon to answer your question...
Some one should be along soon to answer your question...
#3
john.sw
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Posted 17 April 2008 - 11:41 PM
Hi James, and welcome to the Tree!
I made my application in London (by post) and it was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi.
Eventually, after 18 weeks, I got my PIO.
My wife applied earlier this year, again by post, to the High Commission for India in London.
As a spouse of a PIO it was just a matter of proving who she is (her Passport) and proving that she is married to a PIO (our Marriage Certificate, my Passport and my PIO Card).
However, the process still took nearly 13 weeks!
We're both British, so, as you are married to an Indian National, perhaps your application will be quicker - I hope so!
You can read our experiences of getting the PIO in my blog:
http://www.gourmetin...p...p;blogid=1
I made my application in London (by post) and it was sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi.
Eventually, after 18 weeks, I got my PIO.
My wife applied earlier this year, again by post, to the High Commission for India in London.
As a spouse of a PIO it was just a matter of proving who she is (her Passport) and proving that she is married to a PIO (our Marriage Certificate, my Passport and my PIO Card).
However, the process still took nearly 13 weeks!
We're both British, so, as you are married to an Indian National, perhaps your application will be quicker - I hope so!
You can read our experiences of getting the PIO in my blog:
http://www.gourmetin...p...p;blogid=1
www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur
#4
James
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Posted 17 June 2008 - 03:27 PM
Just to advise anyone that may be interested, with regards to the result of my PIO application:
1. I decided against applying through Delhi as most of the experiences I heard of were bad! After weeks of trying to get through to them by phone, I eventually got through to the appropriate department MHA in Delhi and they said it would take 3-5 months approx.
2. I went to UK at the end of May and applied through HCI London, and to my surprise they gave me my PIO card exactly 2 weeks later! (warning though - they at first seemed reluctant to accept my PIO application as I had only been married to my Indian national wife for one year (the lady there said the new rule is 2 years!) - however when I showed them my Indian residence permit, they agreed to proceed with the application.
So for anyone applying for a PIO on the grounds of their marriage to an Indian - make sure you have at least a 1 year visa and your residency permit before applying (else you may be unlucky). Also check in advance if you can with the relevant high commission re the latest rules (easier said than done when its always hard to get through to these organisations by phone!).
Also note that the Visa services (not including PIO or OCI though) are all outsourced in London now (as from 29th May 2008) to another organisatin there - and it seems many HCI's are doing the same (Sri Lanka HCI did the same already) so check the website of the relevant HCI before you go abroad for any Indian visa applications.
Hope this info is of help to someone out there!
1. I decided against applying through Delhi as most of the experiences I heard of were bad! After weeks of trying to get through to them by phone, I eventually got through to the appropriate department MHA in Delhi and they said it would take 3-5 months approx.
2. I went to UK at the end of May and applied through HCI London, and to my surprise they gave me my PIO card exactly 2 weeks later! (warning though - they at first seemed reluctant to accept my PIO application as I had only been married to my Indian national wife for one year (the lady there said the new rule is 2 years!) - however when I showed them my Indian residence permit, they agreed to proceed with the application.
So for anyone applying for a PIO on the grounds of their marriage to an Indian - make sure you have at least a 1 year visa and your residency permit before applying (else you may be unlucky). Also check in advance if you can with the relevant high commission re the latest rules (easier said than done when its always hard to get through to these organisations by phone!).
Also note that the Visa services (not including PIO or OCI though) are all outsourced in London now (as from 29th May 2008) to another organisatin there - and it seems many HCI's are doing the same (Sri Lanka HCI did the same already) so check the website of the relevant HCI before you go abroad for any Indian visa applications.
Hope this info is of help to someone out there!
#5
priya
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Posted 17 June 2008 - 03:46 PM
Thank you for the feedback, James. I'm sure it'll be useful to others in a similar situation.
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To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent,
know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are
willing to unclench your fist." ~ Barack Obama.
Zimbabwe News!
City of Kings! Photos.
Our Shame.
#6
john.sw
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Posted 17 June 2008 - 04:24 PM
I would also advice people not to over-complicate their application.
I heard a story of an application for a PIO card based on the applicant's grandfather and grandmother being PIO.
He also mentioned that his great grandmother was born in India and an Indian resident, so the MHA decided to look at the records of all three persons!
Had he just applied on the basis of his grandfather being a PIO, it would have been far less complicated, easier, and a lot quicker.
I heard a story of an application for a PIO card based on the applicant's grandfather and grandmother being PIO.
He also mentioned that his great grandmother was born in India and an Indian resident, so the MHA decided to look at the records of all three persons!
Had he just applied on the basis of his grandfather being a PIO, it would have been far less complicated, easier, and a lot quicker.
www.nilgiris.asia your guide to the Nilgiris, Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri and Gudalur
