(Image source from: Emirates 24/7)

The Indian Consulate in Dubai has alerted Persons of Indian Origin card holders that such cards will not be permitted for purpose of traveling, starting from October 1 if they are not machine readable.  

The advisory was issued in view of the International Civil Aviation Organization   (ICAO) guidelines that make solely machine-readable travel documents acceptable internationally.

"All PIO card-holders are advised to take note of this to avoid any inconvenience at airports," the mission said in a statement on Thursday.

Earlier, Government of India had advised conversion of all PIO cards to Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards by December 31, 2017.

By Sowmya Sangam