Homecoming gets easier for Overseas Indians

Within days of his return from the US, prime minister Narendra Modi has put into practice the promises he had made to the Indian Americans during his address at the Madison Square Garden in the New York.

Not only are the PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) card now valid for lifetime, instead of 15 years earlier, for the PIO card holders, they will also be exempted from police verification, a long standing demand of the PIOs.

The changes put into effect are expected to benefit nearly 50 lakh PIOs.

The gazette notification issued on September 30 fulfils the prime minister's promise to the PIO cardholders that they would enjoy a lifelong visa to India.

Following the prime minister's announcement, the Union home ministry has also issued instructions through a gazette notification that PIO cardholders would not be required to report to a police station even if their visit to India exceeds 180 days.

Fulfilling yet another announcement made by the prime minister, instructions have been issued to Embassies and Consulates that unless there are exceptional circumstances, visas to US nationals should normally be given for 10 years.

Besides, on PM's instructions the union home ministry is working on a new scheme to merge the PIO and OCI (overseas citizens of India) schemes.The overseas Indian community is estimated to be over 25 million around the world.