Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Scheme
PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN CARD (PIO CARD) SCHEME 2002
(Details as per Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No.213 dated 19th July 2002) The Government of India for the convenience of persons of Indian origin has launched the 'PIO Card' scheme, aimed at making the journey back to the roots, simpler, easier, flexible and trouble free. The earlier scheme which was launched in 1999 has since been replaced with the PIO Card Scheme of 2002. The PIO Card entitles a person to a set of privileges.
Definition of PIO and Eligibility "Person of Indian origin" means a foreign citizen not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time if. (i) he/she at any time held a Indian passport; or (ii) he/she or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents 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 citizens of any of the aforesaid countries (as referred to in 2(b)above; or (iii) he/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (i) or (ii) above.
Benefits 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 maters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
Facilities available to children of NRIs for getting admission to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institute of Technology, Institute of Management, etc. under the general categories.
How to Apply
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. Prescribed application from can be obtained from the office of Indian Embassies abroad, Foreign Regional Registration Officer, Delhi/Mumbai/Kolkata/Chennai/ Amritsar and also from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110 003.
Requirements and Application S.No. | Description | Fees (Pak Rs.) | 1. | Issue of PIO Card | Rs. 27,000/- | 2. | Issue of PIO Card to Minor (Less than 18 yrs) | Rs. 13,500/- |
Where to apply for the PIO card
(i) An application for issue of a PIO Card shall be made to an Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident. (ii) Applicant 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 :- (a) Delhi: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Level –II, East Block VIII, R.K. Puram Sector – I, New Delh
(b) Mumbai Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Annexe – II, Commissioner of
Police, Craw Ford Market, Mumbai – 400001
(c) Kolkata Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata – 700020
(d) Amritsar: Additional Deputy Director, Bureau of Immigration , B/123 Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar
(e) Chennai: Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe, No. 26, Haddows Road, Chennai – 600006 (Those residing in areas other than (A) above :-
Joint Secretary (Foreigners),
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Ist floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003
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.
Acquisition of DUPLICATE PIO Card in case of loss etc: On a request supported by FIR and other documents, a duplicate PIO card shall be issued on depositing a fee of US $ 100. Duplicate PIO cards will be issued by the same office that issued the original one The PIO Card will be valid only when accompanied with a valid passport.
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