The government of India launched the PIO card scheme on the 15th of September, 2002, wherein a Person of Indian Origin up to the fourth generation was allowed visa free travel and was given several benefits if he/she is in possession of the passport of any other country except Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, china, Sri Lanka or any other country specified by the government.
1)The card holder shall not require a visa to visit India.
2)There shall be no requirement of a student visa or an employment visa to study or work in India. However, certain formalities and conditions in connection with studies/employment as prescribed by the concerned authorities would be required to be fulfilled from time to time.
3)If the card holder does not exceed his/her stay in India for more than 180 days, the holder would be exempted from the requirements of registrations needed. But if the holder exceeds the say than 180 days, he/she would have to get them registered with the Foreigners Registration Officer at the District Headquarters within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days.
4)All benefits availed by NRIs are also extended to the PIO card holders and also separate counters for immigration are provided to them at all International Airports in India.
5) The facilities provided to the Pio card holders in respect to financial, educational, economic fields, etc. are the same as provided to Non-Residential Indians. Some of these facilities include:
i) Matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
ii) Making investments, opening bank accounts in India; lending money to Indian residents.
iii) Admission of their children in educational institutions including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institutes of Technology, Institutes of Management etc. in India under the general category quota for NRIs.
iv) Facilities available under the various housing schemes of Life Insurance Corporation of India, State Governments and other Government agencies.
1)No political rights are given to them in parity with resident Indians or NRIs
2)No voting rights are given to the card holder
3)The right to buy property is not valid for the state of Jammu & Kashmir
4)For undertaking mountaineering expeditions, missionary activities, research work or visit to the restricted/protected areas; prior permission of the Government of India is required.
The validity of the PIO card is for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue, subject to the validity of the foreign passport which shall be accompanied along.
The PIO card can be applied in India at various places. The authority to grant a Pio card rests with 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 at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Amritsar or by the Chief Immigration Officer at Chennai. It can also be done so in USA or at any Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily a resident.
The fee for a PIO card is U.S. $368 for adults and for children below the age of 18 it is U.S. $188. If one holds a passport other than a U.S. passport, add $20 to this fee, as the reference fee.
The regular processing time is 15 days to 45 days (non U.S. citizens). However, if the issuance of PIO card is delayed, a visa may be obtained t travel to India.
- Chitwan Kaur
(2nd year)
Army Institute Of Law)
Mohali
