Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card Scheme
The Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card scheme for the foreigners of Indian origin holding foreign passports was introduced with effect from 30.3.1999. The scheme was subsequently modified and revised in September 2002.
Salient features of the PIO Scheme 2002 are as under:
A. Eligibility
All persons of Indian origin who hold passport of any other country subject to certain exceptions who have held Indian passport at any time or whose parents or grandparents were born in and permanently resident in India as defined in
Government of India Act, 1935. Spouse of the above mentioned persons are also entitled to get the PIO Card.
B. Benefits available to a PIO Card holder
(i) PIO Card holders shall not require a separate visa to visit India. However they will be required to fulfil other pre-requisite conditions and formalities in connection with their studies/employment as prescribed from time to time.
(ii) PIO Card holders will be exempt from the requirement of registration if their stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days. However in the event of continues stay of more than 180 days, the will have to get registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO).
(iii) All PIOs including PIO Card holders, shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of all the facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
(iv) Arrangements are also being made for separate immigration counters for PIO Card holders at all International Airports in India.
C. Validity of 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.
D. Fee
The fee payable for obtaining PIO Card may be ascertained from the Consular Section of the Embassy.
E. Documents required
Indian passport of applicant or parents/grand parents/great grand parents. Passport of foreign country indicating the place of birth. Any other documents like revenue records, domicile certificate/school/college leaving certificates etc.
F. Stateless persons
Stateless persons holding identity/travel documents shall not be eligible for grant of PIO Card.
G. Restrictions
PIO Card holders shall not automatically be entitled to visit restricted or protected areas. They will be governed by special instructions issued by Government of India from time to time. They will also not be entitled to undertake any Missionary, Mountaineering or research work without prior permission of the Government of India.
H. Cancellation of PIO Card
PIO Card may be cancelled in the following circumstances:
(i) if it was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of material fact; or
(ii) if the card holder has shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected towards the Constitution of India and other laws of India; or
(iii) if the card holder is a citizen or subject of any country at war with, or committing external aggression against India; or
(iv) sentenced in India for acts of terrorism, smuggling of narcotics, arms, ammunition etc. or sentenced with imprisonment up to one year or fine of Rs.10000/-; or
(v) if it is not conducive to the public interest that the person should continue to hold the PIO Card.
I. Additional instructions
If any foreigner obtains a PIO Card by virtue of being a spouse of an Indian national or of a PIO, and later he/she divorces the Indian/PIO spouse, the Indian/PIO spouse must inform the authorities for cancellation of PIO Card.
J. How to apply
To obtain/view PIO card please approach our Consular Section at 15/16 Kara-Bulak (Vakhshskaya) Street, Mirzo Ulugbek District, Tashkent from 0930 hours to 1200 hours on all working days. Embassy is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.