(i) This scheme may be called the Scheme for
issuance of Person of Indian Origin Card (PIO Card)
(ii) It shall come into force with effect from
31st March, 1999.
| 2. |
Definition - In this scheme, unless the context other requires - |
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| (a) |
"Indian Mission" means the Embassy of Indian / 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 other territories that became part of India
thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the 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 (i) or (ii) above. |
| (c) |
"PIO Card" means a card issued under this scheme. |
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| 3. |
Form of application for issue / renewal of a PIO Card :-
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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. |
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| 4. |
Authority to which application is to be made :- |
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| (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 :- |
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| (a) Delhi |
- Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
- Hans Bhavan, I.P. Estate, New
- Delhi - 110002.
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| (b) Mumbai |
- Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
- Annexe II, Commissioner of Police, Craw Ford Market,
- Mumbai - 400001
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| (c) Calcutta |
- Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
- 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
- Calcutta - 700020
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| (d) Chennai |
- Chief Immigration Officer,
- Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe,
- No. 26, Haddows Road, Chennai - 600006.
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| (B) |
- Those residing in areas other than (A) Above :-
- Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry if Home Affairs, 1st floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan,
Khan Market, New Delhi - 110003
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| 5. |
Authority to grant a PIO Card :- |
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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, Calcutta or the
Chief Immigration officer, Chennai. |
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| 6. |
Validity of PIO Card : |
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A PIO Card shall be valid for a period of twenty years subject to the
validity of the passport of the applicant. |
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| 7. |
Fee : |
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A fee of US $ 1000, inclusive of US $ 250 (non-refundable) as processing
fee, will be payable alongwith the application. In case of rejection of the application,
US $ 750 shall alone be refunded to the applicant. |
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| 8. |
Facilities to be extended to a PIO Card hoder - |
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| (i) A PIO Card holder shall not require a visa to visit India. |
| (ii) A PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of
registration if his stay 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 Registration Officer at District
Headquarter. |
| (iv) A PIO Card holder 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. |
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| 9. |
- Cancellation of PIO Card :
- The Central Government may, by order, cancel the PIO Card, if it is satisfied that :
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- (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, ammunitions 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 conducive to the public interest that the person should continue to hold a
PIO Card
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No reasons shall be assigned for withdrawal of the Card.
M. B. KAUSHAL, Spl. Secy.
