Introduction

The Government of India understands and respects your need to be close to your place of origin and has accordingly launched the ‘PIO Card’ scheme, aimed at making the journey back to your roots, simpler, easier, flexible and trouble free.

Who is eligible?

Any person:

• who at any time held an Indian passport; or

• he/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in and permanently resident in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any country as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time; or

• who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a Person of Indian Origin as mentioned above.  The Government of India has clarified that if any foreigner obtains a PIO card by virtue of being a spouse of an Indian national or of a PIO, and later on he/she divorces the Indian/PIO spouse, the Indian/PIO spouse must inform the authorities for cancellation of PIO card.  Even if otherwise, it comes to the notice of PIO issuing authorities that any such PIO card holder has divorced his/her Indian/PIO spouse, the authority concerned would cancel his/her PIO card.

The scheme is broad-based, covers up to four generations and also the foreign spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.

What benefits accrue to a PIO Card holder?

• No visa required for visiting India.

• Exemption from the requirement of registration if stay in India does not exceed 6 months. Should the continuous stay exceed 6 months, registration will be required within 30 days of the expiry of 6 months with the concerned Foreigners Registration Officer. (CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION CHECKLIST)

• Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.

• All facilities in the matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.

• Facilities available to children of NRIs for getting admission to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institutes of Technology, Institutes of Management etc. under the general categories.

• Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.

Where to apply for the PIO Card?

• Applications should be made to an Indian Mission in the country where the applicant ordinarily resides.

• Applicants already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year) should make the application for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:

DELHI: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Hans Bhawan, I.P. Estate,
New Delhi 110 002.
Tel: 91-11-331 9489 Fax: 91-11-375 5183

MUMBAI: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Annexe II, Commissioner of Police, Crawford Market,
Mumbai 400001.
Tel: 91-22-262 1169 Fax: 91-22-262 0721

CALCUTTA: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya J.C. Bose Road, Calcutta 700020
Tel: 91-33-247 3301 Fax: 91-33-247 0549

CHENNAI: Chief Immigration Officer,
Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe,
No. 26, Haddows Road, Chennai 600006
Tel: 91-44-827 7036 Fax: 91-44-827 7036

Those residing in the rest of India:

Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs,
1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,
New Delhi 110 003
Tel: 91-11-469 3334 Fax: 91-11-462 1563

What is the validity of the PIO Card?

15 years subject to the validity of the passport.

Note: The PIO Card will be valid only when accompanied with a valid passport.

What is the fee for the PIO Card?

Saudi Riyals 1170/- payable at the time of application.  For those below 18 years of age Saudi Riyals 585/- payable at the time of application.