PIO
PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card scheme, 1999 has been revised. The new PIO Card Scheme, 2002, is in operation since 15th September, 2002 .
According to the revised scheme, the PIO Card is valid for 15 years and a fee of Rupees 15,000/- charged for issue of the same. In the case of minor, i.e. below 18 years of age, the fee is Rupees 7,500/- for 15 years validity card.
Authority to which application is to be made: -
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An application for issue of a PIO Card shall be made to an Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident.
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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 RegistrationOfficer,
Level-II, East Block-VIII,
Sector-I, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066
(b) Mumbai : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
3rd Floor, Special Branch Building,
Badruddin Tayabji Lane,
Behind St. Xaviers College,
Mumbai-400001
(c) Kolkata : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road ,
Kolkata-700020
(d) Amritsar : Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
123-D, Ranjeet Avenue,
Amritsar-143001
(e) Chennai : Chief Immigration Officer,
Bureau of Immigration,
Shastri Bhavan, 26, Haddows Road ,
Chennai-600006
(B) Those residing in areas other than (A) above: -
Possession of a PIO card, entitles a foreigner to enter or leave India without the requirements of any other VISA. Registration, however, is required with the concerned FRRO/CHIO/FRO office for a PIO card holder also if he stays
in India for more than six months continuously like foreigners on any other types of long-term Visa. Nationals of Pakistan , Bangladesh , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Nepal and China are ineligible for grant of PIO card. Iranian nationals of Indian Origin can be granted PIO card after MHA approval.
Benefits Available To A PIO Card Holder
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A PIO Card holder does not require a separate visa to visit India . The PIO Card holders will not require "Student Visa" for undertaking studies in India and similarly no "Employment Visa" will be required for taking up employment in India. However, they will be required to fulfil other pre-requisite conditions and other formalities in connection with their studies/employment as prescribed by concerned authorities from time to time.
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Separate counters for immigration are provided to PIO Card holders at International airports in India .
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Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.
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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.
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Facilities like those 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.
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Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.
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