Benefits of Merger

♤ Simplification of the rules under a single umbrella.

♤ PIO cardholders are now eligible for benefits already enjoyed by OCI cardholders.

♤ Facilitate visa-free travel to India, rights of residency and participation in business and educational activities in the country.

♤ Resolve the complains of visits by PIOs to local police stations and stringent visa norms that debarred them from buying property in India, in comparison to those holding OCI card.

♤ It also does away with the clause of foreigners who marry Indians to continuously stay in the country for a period of one year before they get Indian citizenship.

♤ It gives foreigners a relief of 30 days in a year when they can travel outside the country.