[fionaj]

Hi,

I am married to an Indian guy, living in India. We have 2 children. Both were born in the UK and like me have British passports. The oldest one has a PIO card, as do I. These were applied for through the high commission in London. With the youngest baby, I did not have time to apply in the UK as we left when she was less than 2 months old. She is therefore on a 6 month tourist visa.

Is there any way that I can apply for a PIO card within India ? Her visa expires in 6 weeks, and I really can't face flying out of the country every few months on a visa run, or alternatively going back to the UK to apply. I have searched on the web and found details of the offices in Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai etc but the phone and contact details are coming back invalid.

Thanks !

Fiona

[john.sw]

Hi Fiona,

Have you tried the online telephone directory at http://www.bsnl.co.i...nedirectory.htm for a number that works?

I know that this is an old web page, but it could be what you're looking for:

http://iic.nic.in/piocard.htm#sch

(i) An application for issue of a PIO Card shall be made to an Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident.

(ii) Applicants already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year) shall make the application for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:-

( A ) Those residing in :-

( a ) Delhi - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Hans Bhavan, I.P. Estate New Delhi- 110002

( b ) Mumbai - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Annexe II, Commissioner of Police, Craw Ford Market, Mumbai-400001

( c ) Calcutta - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road Calcutta- 700020

( d ) Chennai - Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe, No. 26 Haddows Road,
Chennai-600006

( B ) Those residing in areas other than (A) above:-

    Joint Secretary(Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110003.

(5) Authority to grant a PIO Card:-

The authority to grant a PIO Card shall be an officer in an Indian Mission notified for the purpose or the Joint Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta or the Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai.

Good luck!

John

[sez]

Hi Fiona,

I am in a similar position.  Did you manage to find out what could be done?

Thanks

[fionaj]

Hi Sez,

After calling 34 phone numbers and being passed around, I'm told that I can get a 5 year visa for the baby. This is based on the fact that I have a PIO card, and my husband is Indian. I can only apply 5-10 days before her current tourist visa expires - so I'm not there yet. Originally I was told that I would have to travel to Delhi with baby and husband to apply at the Foreigners Registration Office (not a good prospect in the month of May), but I've since asked at the Trivandrum office in Kerala and it seems they will do it there. It will cost 205$ which is almost the same as the PIO card, but it will save the hassle of flights and accommodation in Delhi or even to the UK.

Any further questions, let me know,

Fiona