The PIO Card Scheme

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The Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card Scheme would henceforth be as follows:

(i) This Scheme may be called the Scheme for issuance of Person of Indian Origin Card (PIO) Scheme, 2002.

(ii) It shall come into force with effect from 15th September, 2002.

In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires,

(a) "Indian Mission" means Embassy of India/High Commission of India/Indian Consulate in a foreign country.

(b) "Person of Indian Origin" means a foreign Citizen (Not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time) if,

(i) he/she at any time held an Indian Passport; or

(ii) he/she or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents 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 of he aforesaid countries [as referred to in (2)(b)] above; or

(iii) he/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (1) or (ii) above.

(c) "PIO Card" means a card issued under this Scheme.

3.    Form of application for issue/renewal of a PIO Card:

An application for issue/renewal of a PIO Card shall be made in the prescribed form and shall be accompanied by documentary evidence to show that the applicant is a person of Indian origin as defined.

4.    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:-

(a) Delhi - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Level-II, East Block VIM, R.K. Puram, Sector-I, New Delhi.

(b) Mumbai - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Annexe-II, Commissioner of Police, Craw Ford Market, Mumbai-400001.

(c) Kolkata - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata-700020.

(d) Amritsar - Additional Deputy Director, Bureau of Immigration, B/123, Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar.

(e) Chennai - Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe, No. 26, Haddows Road, Chennai-600006.

(B) Those residing in areas other than (A) above:-

Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi-110003.

The authority to grant a PIO CARD shall be an officer in an Indian Mission notified for the purpose or the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar or the Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai.

A PIO Card shall be valid for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue subject to the validity of the passport of the applicant.

The fee for a PIO Card would be Rs. 15000/- (or its equivalent in local foreign currency of the country concerned), payable along with the application. PIO Card to children upto the age of 18 years will be issued at a fee of Rs. 7,500/- (or its equivalent in local foreign currency of the country concerned) for a fifteen year card.

Gratis Card may be issued to an exceptionally eminent person of Indian Origin who plays an important role in building bridges between India and the country of his/her adoption, if he/she expresses a desire to obtain the PIO Card.

(i) A PIO Card holder shall not require a separate visa to visit India.

(ii) A PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days.

(iii) In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO Card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer.

(iv) All PIOs including PIO Card holders, shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities available to the latter in the economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.

PIO Cards issued under the scheme notified in 1999 at US $1000 will continue to remain valid. While no refund shall be available, the validity of such cards would be extendable for a further period of 10 years (i.e. 30 years in all), if so applied for by the card holder, without any extra cost.

The Central Government may, by order, cancel a PIO Card, if it is satisfied that:

(a) the PIO Card was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact; or

(b) the PIO Card holder has shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected towards the Constitution of India and other laws of India; or

(c) the PIO Card holder is a citizen or subject of any country at war with, or committing external aggression against India; or of any other country assisting the country at war with, or committing such aggression against India; or

(d) the PIO Card holder has been sentenced in India for indulging in acts of terrorism, smuggling of narcotics, arms, ammunition etc. or has been sentenced for committing an offence punishable with imprisonment upto one year or fine upto rupees ten thousand; or

(e) it is not conductive to the public interest that the person should continue to hold a PIO Card. No reasons shall be assigned for cancellation of the Card.

PRAVIN SRIVASTAVA, Jt. Secy.