A PAN is mandatory for every individual who is required to file a return, and also for those who want to carry out a financial transaction for which the quoting of PAN is necessary. An NRI (non-resident Indian) also requires obtaining a PAN if he falls into either of the above categories. The procedure to get a PAN is fairly simple and similar across all categories of people. However, NRIs need to provide specific documents while applying for a PAN, which is specific to them.
Form: NRIs who are Indian citizens have to apply for a PAN Card by filling Form 49A. However, NRIs with citizenship of another country require to fill up Form 49AA. These forms can be accessed, filled and submitted online by the websites of NSDL and UTIITSL. On submitting the form, an acknowledgement copy having a 15-digit number is generated, which needs to be sent to the nominated address along with other documents.
Fees: If the communication address given by the NRI is within India, the costs are Rs 107, moreover if it is outside India then the fee is Rs 989, which involves application fees and dispatch charges. In a case of online applications, the fees may be paid by debit/credit card or through Net banking. On the other hand, a demand draft favouring NSDL /UTIITSL can be dispatched, simultaneously with the documents and form.
Documents required: 2 photographs must be pasted in the space provided in the acknowledgement form. Further to be submitted is a copy of the passport as proof of identity. Any of the following documents will serve as proof of address:
- Copy of Passport
- Copy of bank account statement in country of residence
- Copy of NRE bank account statement revealing at least two transactions in last six months and duly attested.
Process: The signed form with the vital documents should reach the designated address within 15 days of the online application. If the payment mode is demand draft, the PAN card is issued on the realisation of the payment and dispatched to the correspondence address mentioned by the candidate.
Points to note: NRIs can give a foreign address as residential or office address if they do not have any Indian address of their individual. PAN card dispatch facility of outside India is available only in select countries. Therefore, it is advisable to check the list before applying.
