Registration of PIO’s in India

          Guided by the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 and Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992, persons of Indian origin visiting India on a visa valid for 180 days must register at the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

          The registration form must be submitted along with 4 photographs, proof of residential address in India, and a photocopy of the main pages of the passport and Indian visa. The registration comes at no cost, though an extension of stay would invite a fee of USD 30. The FRRO endorses the passport and issues a registration booklet carrying the PIO’s residence details and a photograph.

          The foreign national is duty bound to inform the FRRO of any change in his permanent and registered address.

          Additional documents have to be submitted for student, business, journalist and employment visa, which authenticate the purpose of the visit.

PIO (Person Of Indian Origin) Card

          Persons of Indian origin can apply for a PIO Card at the Indian Mission in the country they reside in, or at the FRRO during their stay in India for a fee of Rs.15, 000 only. Nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and China do not qualify for a PIO card.

Privileges of the PIO card

          Valid for a period of 15 years, the PIO card bestows certain privileges to the holder. These include:

• Freedom to enter or leave India without a visa
• Registration, only if he stays in India for more than six months at a stretch
• PIO card holders are extended the privilege of separate counters for immigration at international airports in India.
• Treated at par with NRIs with respect to economic, financial and educational facilities, and purchase of property, except agricultural property