The new PIO Card Scheme, 2002, is in operation since 15th September, 2002. All persons of Indian origin who are in possession of the passport of any other country except Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka or any other country specified by the government are eligible for PIO Card if:
1. He/She had any time held an Indian passport.
2. He/She or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents was born in India or permanent resident in India provided neither was at any time a citizen of any other specific country.
3. He/She is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under 1 & 2 above.
Iranian nationals of Indian Origin can be granted PIO card after MHA approval.
For all adults a PIO Card is issued after charging a fee of Rupees 15,000/- and for minors i.e. below 18 years of age Rupees 7,500/- is levied as fees. All PIO Cards are valid for 15 years.
Authority to which application is to be made: -
1. Application for PIO Card are to be made in the prescribed format (Available with FRRO office or downloaded from www.mha.nic.in).
2. Documentary evidence of being person of Indian origin to be produced.
An application for issue of a PIO Card can be made at Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident.
In case applicant is already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year), then application for PIO can be made for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:
(A) Those residing in: -
(a) Delhi : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Level-II, East Block-VIII, Sector-I, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066
(b) Mumbai : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
3rd Floor, Special Branch Building,
Badruddin Tayabji Lane,
Behind St. Xaviers College,
Mumbai-400001
(c) Kolkata : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
Kolkata-700020
(d) Amritsar : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
123-D, Ranjeet Avenue,
Amritsar-143001
(e) Chennai : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Shastri Bhavan, 26, Haddows Road,
Chennai-600006
(B) Foreigners who are residing elsewhere in India other than (A) ,will have to submit their application to the:
Joint Secretary (Foreigners),
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Ist floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market
New Delhi - 110003.
Documents required to be presented at the time of submission of application for PIO:
1. Application of PIO Card can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs i.e. www.mha.nic.in
2. Photocopy of the foreign passport presently held (Front page i.e. photo page and VISA page). Photocopy of the initial VISA, which has been registered with FRRO/FRO cum Superintendent of Police.
3. Photocopy of all the pages of Registration certificate issued by the FRRO/FRO office.
4. Four recent passport size photographs.
5. Demand Draft/Pay Order in favour of FRRO concerned, for Rs. 15000/- in case of individuals above 18 years and Rs. 7500/- in the case of applicants below 18 years of age.
6. Two photocopies of Demand Draft/Pay Order.
7. Proof of Indian Origin:
a) Previous Indian Passport OR
b) Birth Certificate and parents’/grandparents/great grand parents Indian passport OR
c) Marriage certificate and copy of spouse’s Indian passport
Note: All Documents to be presented in duplicate and also shown in original.
Benefits Available To A PIO Card Holder
1. PIO card holder shall not require a separate VISA to visit India. The card is valid for 15 years.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. The PIO card holder doesn’t require a student VISA for undertaking studies in India and similarly no Employment VISA will be required for taking up employment in India.
5. The PIO card holder shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of facility available to the latter in the economic, financial and education fields except in matters relating to acquisition of agriculture plantation/properties. However, no parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
Source: http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/pio_card.htm
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