PIO (Person Of Indian Origin) Card
PIO card scheme, 1999 has been revised. The new PIO Card Scheme,
2002, is in operation since 15th September, 2002 . According to the revised
scheme, the PIO Card is valid for 15 years and a fee of Rupees 15,000/- charged
for issue of the same. In the case of minor, i.e. below 18 years of age, the
fee is Rupees 7,500/- for 15 years validity card.
Authority to which application is to be made: -
(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) Applicants 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: -
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(a)
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Delhi
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:
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Level-II, East Block-VIII,
Sector-I, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066
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(b)
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Mumbai
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:
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
3rd Floor, Special Branch Building,
Badruddin Tayabji Lane,
Behind St. Xaviers College,
Mumbai-400001
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(c)
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Kolkata
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:
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road ,
Kolkata-700020
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(d)
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Amritsar
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:
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
123-D, Ranjeet Avenue,
Amritsar-143001
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(e)
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Chennai
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:
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Chief Immigration Officer,
Bureau of Immigration,
Shastri Bhavan, 26, Haddows Road ,
Chennai-600006
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(B) Those residing in areas other than (A)
above: -
Possession of a PIO card, entitles a foreigner to enter or leave
India without the requirements of any other VISA. Registration, however, is
required with the concerned FRRO/CHIO/FRO office for a PIO card holder also if
he stays in India for more than six months continuously like foreigners on any
other types of long-term Visa.
Nationals of Pakistan , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan ,
Bhutan , Nepal and China are ineligible for grant of PIO card. Iranian
nationals of Indian Origin can be granted PIO card after MHA approval.
Benefits Available To A PIO Card Holder
-
A PIO Card holder does not require a separate visa to visit India . The PIO
Card holders will not require "Student Visa" for undertaking studies in India
and similarly no "Employment Visa" will be required for taking up employment in
India . However, they will be required to fulfil other pre-requisite conditions
and other formalities in connection with their studies/employment as prescribed
by concerned authorities from time to time.
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Separate counters for immigration are provided to PIO Card holders at
International airports in India .
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Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of facilities available to
the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.
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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.
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Facilities like those 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.
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Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State
Governments and other Government agencies.
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