Bill for merger of PIO and OCI schemes on the anvil Visa-on-Arrival and Electronic Travel Authorization to be launched in respect of 43 countries The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has made a number of announcements for PIOs and OCIs recently. Pursuant to this, a draft Bill for amending the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, which will enable merger of the PIO (Person of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) schemes, is expected to be brought to the Cabinet for approval shortly. In another major initiative, Visa-on-Arrival and Electronic Travel Authorization in respect of 43 countries, including United States, Australia, Fiji and Pacific Island countries is expected to be inaugurated on November 27th, 2014. The Government has already announced fulfilment of the following announcements made by the Prime Minister: - Granting visa for life to PIO card holders - Exemption for PIOs staying in India for long term from police reporting - Issuance of long term (10 year) visas to US nationals on reciprocal basis.
