Discontinuation of Hand-written Travel Document by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from October 2018

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PRESS RELEASE
Discontinuation of Hand-written Travel Document by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from October 2018

1. As of October 1, 2018 Machine-readable electronic travel document is mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines. It is not a pre-condition prescribed for entry into India by Indian authorities.

2. All PIO cardholders with valid cards as on January 9, 2015 are advised to apply for conversion of their PIO Card to OCI Card.

3. Indian Immigration will accept PIO Cards as valid document for entry and exit into India along with valid foreign passport till March 31, 2019.

4. Meanwhile, as ICAO has made hand-written PIO Cards invalid, hand-written PIO cardholders need to obtain appropriate visa from Consulate, if they have not converted their PIO card to OCI card. However, the Indian immigration check posts will continue to consider all PIO cards valid for exit/entry into India till 31st March, 2019.