"Previous scheme formulated by the government of India valid until 8th of January 2015". For new scheme Click Here

The Government of India has revised the PIO Card Scheme, which was launched in 1999, aimed at making the journey back to India, simpler, easier, flexible and absolutely hassle free. In this regard, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi has issued the Notification No.213 dated 19th July, 2002. The PIO Card confers on Person of Indian Origin a set of privileges. The salient features of new scheme is as under:

Eligibility

Any person other than citizen of Bangladesh or Pakistan:

1. who at any time held an Indian passport; or
2. he/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in India and permanently resident in India on as defined in 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 Central Government from time to time; or
3. who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a Person of Indian Origin as mentioned above. The scheme is broad-based, covers up to four generations and also the foreign spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.

Benefits accruing to a PIO Card Holder

1. No visa required for visiting India.
2. No separate 'Student Visa' or 'Employment Visa' required for admissions in Colleges/ Institutions or for taking up employment respectively.
3. A PIO Card holder will be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days.
4. In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO Card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/ Foreigners Registration Officer.
5. Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational field.
6. All PIOs including PIO Card holders shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of 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. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
7. Facilities available to children of NRIs of getting admission of educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institute of Technology, Institute of Management, etc. under the general categories.
8. Facilities available under the various housing scheme of LIC, State Government and other Government Agencies.
9. Special counters at the immigration check posts for speedy clearance.

Application of PIO Card

An application for issue/ renewal of a PIO Card shall be made in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by documentary evidence to show that the applicant is a person of Indian origin as defined.

Submission of Application Form for the PIO Card

1. An application for issue of a PIO Card shall be made to an Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident.
2. Application already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year) shall make the application for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:-
   A – Those residing in:-
1. Delhi: - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
   Level-II, East Block VIII,
   R.K. Puram, Sector-1, New Delhi.
2. Mumbai:- Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
   Annexe-II, Commissioner of Police,
   Craw Ford Market, Mumbai – 400 001.
3. Kolkata: - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
   237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
   Kolkata – 700 020.
4. Amritsar: - Additional Deputy Director,
   Bureau of Immigration,
   B/123, Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar.
5. Chennai:- Chief Immigration Officer,
   Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe,
6. Haddows Road, Chennai.

Those residing in areas other than (A) above: -

Joint Secretary (Foreigners),
Ministry of Home Affairs,
1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi- 110 003.

Validity of the PIO Card.

A PIO Card shall be valid for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue subject to the validity of the passport of the applicant.

Fees of obtaining the PIO Card.

The fee for a PIO Card would be Rs.15,000/- (or its equivalent in local foreign currency of the country concerned), payable along with the application. PIO Card to children up to the age of 18 years will be issued at a fee of Rs.7,500/- (or its equivalent in local foreign currency of the country concerned) for a fifteen years card.

The Status of PIO Cards issued earlier as per PIO Card Scheme (1999)

PIO Cards issued earlier for US$ 1000 will continue to remain valid and no refund shall be admissible. However, the validity of such cards shall be extendable by 10 more years without charging any fee.

Issue of Gratis PIO Card.

Gratis PIO Card may be issued to an exceptionally eminent person of Indian Origin who plays an important role in building bridges between India and the country of his/her adoption, if he/she expresses a desire to obtain the PIO Card.

Acquisition of Duplicate PIO Card in case of loss etc.

On a request supported by FIR (First Information Report lodged with the Police) and other documents, a duplicate PIO card shall be issued on deposition of US$ 100. Duplicate PIO cards will be issued by the same office that issued the original one.