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Information on PIO Card Scheme 2002

The Government of India has announced the launching of a People of Indian Origin Card, which will allow visa free entry to people of Indian origin living aboard and give them all the rights enjoyed by Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) including purchase of non-agricultural land. 15 million people of India origin living abroad will benefit from the Scheme. Fee for PIO card is CKC 9750/- for adult and CKC 4550,- for children below the age of 18 years (effective from September 15, 2002). Validity of new PIO card will be 15 years from the date of issue. However, it would not be issued to people of Indian origin living in Pakistan and Bangladesh. It does not give voting rights to the holders of the Card. Indian who hold a foreign passport living abroad till the fourth generations are eligible for PIO card. The PIO Card holder would be exempt from registration if his/her stay in India does not exceed 180 days. However, if the stay exceeds 180 days, the PIO Card holder will have to register within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Registration Officer at District headquarters. The right to buy property would not be valid to Jammu & Kashmir. The PIO card holder would be able to admit their children to educational institution in India under the NRI category. These include the IITs and IIMs. They can also benefit from housing schemes of the Life Insurance Corporation, State Governments and other Government agencies.

The Press Release and Gazette Notification on PIO Card Scheme follows:

Understanding the sentiments of persons of Indian origin to be closer to their original country and to reinforce their emotional bonds, as well as respecting their desire to participate in the development of the resolve to frame a special scheme. This resolve was translated in the first Budget Speech of FM:

"Government have decided to draw up a scheme for issuance of a Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card for those living abroad and having foreign passports. The PIO card, which would be extended to Persons of Indian Origin settled in countries to be specified by Government would besides introducing a visa free regime, also confer some special economic, education, financial and cultural benefits. The details are being worked out."

The Government has today launched a comprehensive Scheme for the Persons of Indian Origin - called the "PIO Card Scheme". Under this scheme, Persons of Indian Origin up to the fourth generation (great grant parents) settled throughout the world, except for a few specified countries, would be eligible. The Card would be issued to eligible applicants through the concerned Indian Embassies/High Commissions/Consulates and for those staying in India on long term visa, the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai) would be the same.

The fee for the Card, which will have a validity of 15 years, would be CKC 9750,- for adult and CKC 4550,- for children below the age of 18 years.

Besides making their journey back to their roots simpler, easier and smoother, this Scheme entitles the PIOs to a wide range of economic, financial, education and cultural benefits. The benefits envisaged under the Scheme include:

The above steps would go a long way in renewing and strengthening the emotional bond amongst PIOs with the land of their origin. The attractive features of the Scheme will further exhort them to play an increasingly constructive role in the socio-economic and cultural development of the country of their origin.


Ministry of Home Affairs Notification