From Our Indian Correspondent
Posted Jun 22, 2000; updated Sep 18, 2008
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What the PIO card is all about :  Starting 31 March 1999, the Government of India announced the issuance of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card for foreign citizens who held Indian passports at some time or who have at least one Indian parent who came up to four generations before them (that is, up to their great-grandparents). The intent is to bring the beneficiaries closer to their roots, to make it easier for them to travel to India, and to allow them the same advantages that a nonresident Indian (NRI) has. Fifteen million people living outside India are expected to benefit from this plan.
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The Advantages
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1) The holder is allowed visa-free entry.
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2) The holder is given all the rights that an NRI has - including the acquisition / holding / transfer / disposal of nonagricultural land.
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3) The holder's children can study in Indian institutions (under the NRI category) including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs).
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4) There is no requirement to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office if continuous stay does not exceed 180 days. If continuous stay exceeds 180 days, then registration is required within 30 days of that allowed period.
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5) The holder can benefit from the housing opportunities announced by the LICs, the State Governments, or other Government Agencies.
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6) Any other benefits extended to NRIs also are automatically extended to the PIO cardholders.
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Other Points Worth Noting
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1) The card is issued to eligible applicants through the concerned Indian Embassies / High Commissions / Consulates. For those staying in India on long- term visas it is issued through the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, and Chennai - addresses below).
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2) At the time of the writing, the fee for a PIO card is Rs. 15,000/- (or the equivalent in local foreign currency of the country of residence), payable at the time of application. PIO cards for children up to 18 years old are issued at Rs. 7,500/- (or the equivalent in local foreign currency of the country of residence) for a card with 15-year validity.
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Note : The fee for PIO card was U.S. $ 1,000. PIO cards issued earlier for U.S. $ 1,000/- will continue to remain valid and no refund shall be admissible. However, the validity of such cards shall be extended by 10 more years at no additional charge.
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3) Citizens of Pakistan and Bangladesh (and such other countries, which may be notified from time to time) are not allowed to participate.
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4) Like the NRIs, PIO cardholders will not be allowed to purchase agricultural / plantation land or land in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
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5) Within 30 days of the lapse of the said 180 days of visa-free entry, one will have to register with the Foreigners Registration Office at the appropriate district. (a) Delhi: Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Level - II, East Block VIII, R.K. Puram, Sector - I, New Delhi. (b) Mumbai Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Annex II, Commissioner of Police, Craw Ford Market, Mumbai - 400001. (c) Calcutta Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 237, Acharya Jagdish Calcutta  700020 (d) Chennai Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annex, No.26, Haddows Road, Chennai  600006.
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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.
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How and Where to Apply
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To apply for issuance of a PIO card to an Indian Mission in the country where you are residing, for example, those in the DC area should contact the Consular Wing, 2536 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC  20008, (telephone 202.939.9839/9806 or Fax 202.797.4693). The prescribed form must be filed with the nearest concerned authorities (some embassies allow the download of forms from their websites). The relevant documentary evidence mentioned must also be submitted therein.

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