P.I.O. Application question?

Member since 04 October 2009

clarkejMember04 October 2009 14:42:52

Hello Everyone, I wonder if someone has any ideas on this question. I'm from England but my Grandfather was born in Lucknow, India in 1895. The family returned to England a few years later and I know that India doesnt allow Dual Passports. It's how I read the Indian Government Website I think I may be eligible to apply for an Indian P.I.O. Card. Does anyone know anything about this or have any ideas? Thanks Jason

durdantoo New member

Member since 27 April 2009

durdantooNew member04 October 2009 16:43:36

check it here

or at

wish you success

Micky Fernandez Contributor

Member since 01 September 2012

Micky FernandezContributor20 October 2012 05:16:27

122

I assume that you received your PIO Card a long time ago. I am soon going to apply for a PIO Card (based upon my marriage). I simply want to know how long it took before you received the card.

aimes79 Member

Member since 01 November 2010

aimes79Member20 October 2012 10:11:13

Hi Mickey, It should only take about 2 weeks after applying to receive your PIO card. If you're getting ready to apply, you must have a wedding anniversary coming up! Congrats!

Micky Fernandez Contributor

Member since 01 September 2012

Micky FernandezContributor28 October 2012 06:11:35

122

Thank you Ameena for your quick reply. Yes, I know about the rule that you have to be married for at least one year (although I believe that there are exceptions) before applying for a PIO Card, but my wife and I have been married for a long time.
It is a long story (and I will not get into all the details here), but suffice it to say that I have a 10-year Tourist Visa issued by the Consulate General of India, San Francisco in 2004. The diplomats there knew me, and I knew them (having worked across the street from them for many years) and they gave me this Tourist Visa with virtually no inconvenience on my part. In hindsight, of course, I wish that they had given me the PIO Card, or at least informed me of it, which I have read was begun in 2001 or 2002. In any case, the Visa worked well until the "David Headley Rule". There are exceptions to it (read my blog), but I encountered increasingly difficult and frustrating experiences. Because of that, and because the Visa will expire in 2014, I am applying for the PIO Card.
On that subject, I hope that you will answer a concern of mine: I have read, on at least a couple of occasions, that the employees at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office actually HATE foreigners, but that they look more favourably upon you if you are with an Indian. Have you heard or read something similar?
By the way, my wife and I shall be in Hyderabad in about 10 days. This will be our 2nd-3rd trip there. (Our first trip was to Secunderabad.) Please read my blog to read about my previous trip there.
Of course I can simply go to Google and/or Wikipedia to find this out, but since I am writing, I should also ask you: Is there a train station close to the Charminar? We may be staying there this time. Last time, we went to Nampally.