Introduction
The Government of India understands and respects your need to be close to your place of origin and has accordingly launched the PIO Card scheme, aimed at making the journey back to your roots, simpler, easier, flexible and trouble free.
Who is Eligible?
Any person:
- who at any time held an Indian passport; or
- he/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in and permanently resident in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any country as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time; or
- who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a Person of Indian Origin as mentioned above.
The scheme is broad-based, covers up to four generations and also the foreign spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.
What Benefits Accrue to a PIO Card Holder?
- No visa required for visiting India.
- Exemption from the requirement of registration if stay in India does not exceed 6 months. Should the continuous stay exceed 6 months, registration will be required within 30 days of the expiry of 6 months with the concerned Foreigners Registration Officer.
(Checklist for registration formalities)
- Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.
- 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.
- Facilities 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.
- Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.
Where to Apply for the PIO Card?
- Applications should be made to an Indian Mission in the country where the applicant ordinarily resides.
- Applicants already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year) should make the application for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:
- DELHI: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Hans Bhawan, I.P. Estate,
New Delhi 110 002.
Tel: 91-11-331 9489 Fax: 91-11-375 5183
- MUMBAI: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Annexe II, Commissioner of Police, Crawford Market,
Mumbai 400001.
Tel: 91-22-262 1169 Fax: 91-22-262 0721
- KOLKATA: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya J.C. Bose Road,
Kolkata 700020
Tel: 91-33-247 3301 Fax: 91-33-247 0549
- CHENNAI: Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration,
Shastri Bhavan Annexe, No. 26, Haddows Road,
Chennai 600006
Tel: 91-44-827 7036 Fax: 91-44-827 7036
- For those residing in the rest of India:
Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs,
1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market,
New Delhi 110 003
Tel: 91-11-469 3334 Fax: 91-11-462 1563
What is the Validity of the PIO Card?
15 years subject to the validity of the passport.
Note: The PIO Card will be valid only when accompanied with a valid passport.
What is the Fee for the PIO Card?
The fee payable for issue of PIO Card is Euro 315.00 + 3 (Service Charge) and for a minor up to 18 years is Euro 160.00 + 3 (Service Charge).
Application Form
Download PIO Card Application Form
PIO CARD DOCUMENTS-REQUIREMENTS BY EMBASSY
- Copy of the Passport of the applicant along with original passport.
- Copy of the Indian Passport of the applicant's parents or spouse as the case may be, along with the original documents.
- Marriage certificate or Birth certificate as the case may be, it should be authenticated by Ministry of External Affairs, Patiala House, Delhi, for the documents issued by Indian authorities.
- Apostle by Italian Government if the document is issued by Italian authorities.
- Proof of Residence.
- Declaration of no objection and also stating that the marriage is still valid, to be given by the Indian partner.
- The applicant's present and previous job profile.
- Background of the photos must not be white, but of a light color (e.g. blue, green, gray, brown etc.)
- Left thumb impression for boys & Right thumb impression for girls.
Applicants may forward their complaints /grievances related to Consular/Visa matters on following e-mail addresses:
HOM:amb.rome@mea.gov.in
Supervisory Officer:dcmoffice.rome@mea.gov.in
Consular Officer:cons.rome@mea.gov.in
