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Who is a
PIO?
A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) is a citizen of any other
country but whose ancestors were Indian nationals at least
four generations away.
What is a PIO
card?
A PIO card is issued to PIOs other than Bangladeshi and
Pakistani nationals with Indian origins, holding a foreign
passport.
Who is eligible
for a PIO card?
- anyone who ever
held an Indian passport;
- anyone whose
ancestors up to the last four generations were settled in
India and did not migrate to Pakistan or Bangladesh
- whose spouse is
a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin
When
did the PIO card come into
force?
15th September, 2002
What advantages
does the PIO card carry?
a) Parity with NRIs, therefore eligible to
i) Acquire non-agricultural and plantation property in
India,
ii)
Admit children to all educational institutes in India under
NRI
quota
iii)Apply for various housing schemes of LIC, state
governments and other government agencies
b) Enter India without a visa
c) Exemption from registration at Foreigners Registration
office at District Headquarters if stay in India does not
exceed 180 days
Who issues the
PIO card?
- All Indian
Embassies, High Commissions and Indian Consulates abroad. An
officer at the Indian Mission notified for the purpose
carries the authority to issue a PIO card.
- Foreigners
Regional Registration offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata
and Chennai
- Joint Secretary
(Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi
Which documents are required to apply
for the
card?
a) All relevant documents which substantiate claim to Indian
origin
b) In the case of children, a copy of the parent’s passport if
parent still an Indian citizen, or old passport or birth
certificate
c) 4 passport size photographs, front view
- PIO card fee –
US$ 310 for adults; US$ 155.00 for children, by a cheque
favouring Embassy of India/Consulate General of India (as
applicable)
What is the
validity of the card?
15 years from the date of issue of the PIO Card.
Are there any
restrictions for card holders?
a) They do not have any political rights.
- Cannot
undertake activities like mountaineering, missionary and
research work and existing PAP/RAP which need a special
permit.
Can PIO card
holders apply for citizenship?
Yes, under the Citizenship Act, the applicant should have
resided in India for a minimum of 7 years before the
application is submitted.
Can the card be
withdrawn?
Yes, if
- the PIO card
was obtained through fraud, concealment of facts or false
representation
- the activities
of the card holder in India do not conform to the laws
of the country and the Indian Constitution
- the card holder
happens to be citizen of a country with which India is at
war, or is supporting another country in acts of aggression
against India
- the PIO has
been found guilty of acts of terrorism, smuggling of arms
and ammunition and narcotics
- has been
sentenced in India up to one year’s imprisonment or fined up
to Rs.10,000
- the card
holder’s presence in India is detrimental to the interests
of the country
Explanation for withdrawal of the PIO card by the Government
of India is not necessary. |