The government Friday announced that all Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders will be deemed to be Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders.
With the government withdrawing the PIO card notification, only one OCI card with enhanced benefits is in existence, a home ministry statement said.
"The PIO card notification has been withdrawn with immediate effect and further it has been notified that all existing PIO card holders will be deemed to be OCI card holders. Now only one OCI card with enhanced benefits is in existence," it said.
This has been done as per Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement during his visits to the US and Australia in September and November respectively, it said.
"The prime minister had announced in the US and Australia during his visits that the PIO and OCI cards will be merged and the Indian diaspora will be given maximum possible benefits," it added.