The government has decided to unite the OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) and PIO (Persons of India Origin). This was decided to make an ease for the active participation towards educational activities and Business Diaspora in India. These two different cards provide dissimilar rights including dissimilar durations of visa.

During inauguration of Pravasi Bharitya Diwas by the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has stated that merging these two cards is going to provide travel visa-free for PIOs. It can provide them a right to inhabit in the same way as the OCIs have. He has also assured that the government will figure out the troubles that came up during the implementation of this scheme

A PIO card owner will have to renew their cards at the interval of 15 years. The owner should register at the local police station if he/she is exceeding the stay in India for 180 days.

This registration must be done on each visit. Mr. Singh has also added that the agreement will bring improvement to the economy. He has also declared that the government would truthfully work towards this implementation.