PIO card holding Indians in Oman told to convert it into OCI

Muscat: Holders of Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) cards are being advised to convert them to Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cards as the existing PIO cards will cease to be in effect after June 30, 2016, the Indian embassy said in a statement.
“All concerned are advised to have the PIO cards converted to OCI cards,” the embassy said in a statement.
The procedure for filling the application online for issuance of OCI and the supporting documents required for this purpose have been simplified and only a copy of valid PIO card and a copy of current valid passport are now required for the conversion of PIO card to OCI card.
PIO cards allowed visa-free travel to India for 15 years and required that holders registered with the police if they stayed in the country for more than 180 days. People with Indian heritage and foreigners married to Indians were eligible for the cards.
Meanwhile, OCI cards allow visa free travel with no time limit.
For queries, the consular wing of the embassy could be contacted at 24684585.