Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Card Scheme

In deference to the sentiments of persons of Indian origin to reconnect with their roots, as well as respecting their desire to participate in the development of the country of their origin, the Government of India had announced a scheme for issuance of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card with effect from 31 March 1999.  The issue of fee for PIO Card was under consideration of the Government of India for quite sometime.           

          With effect from 15^th September 2002, the Government of India has announced a new PIO Card Scheme-2002.  The salient features of the new Scheme are as follows: 

1.          “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)          

          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 and 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 (1) 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.

2.       Form of application for issue/renewal of a PIO Card

                     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. Application should be accompanied by the current passport and the Landing Paper of the applicant and a copy of each of these documents.

Applications for children born to Indian parents in Canada must be accompanied by (i) the child's Canadian passport, (ii) original birth certificate mentioning the names of the parents and (iii) at least one parent's Indian passport and PR Card/ Landing Paper and a copy of all these documents. 

3.          Validity of PIO Card           

          Under the new Scheme, the PIO Card shall be valid for fifteen years from the date of issue. The validity of the PIO Cards issued under Scheme-1999, will be extended by 10 more years without charging any fee. No refund shall, however, be admissible to earlier PIO Card holders under the Scheme-1999, on reduction of PIO Card fee under the new Scheme-2002

4.       PIO Card Fee          

          i)          Fee for new PIO Card for persons above 18 years of age –
Canadian Dollars 480/-         

          ii)          Fee for new PIO Card for children below 18 years of age –  Canadian Dollars 240/-

5.          Facilities to be extended to a PIO Card holder           

          i)          A PIO Card holder shall not require a separate Visa to visit India.          

          ii)          A PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if his/her stay on any single visit 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 Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer.           

          iv)          All PIOs, including PIO Card holders, 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           

          v)          Can take up private employment in India without seeking any separate permission from the Government, unless otherwise specifically provided for by other Ministries/Departments.

Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card  Procedure

It’s validity is for 15 years and entitles the holder to visa free entry to India in association with a valid foreign nationality passport, investment facilities, education, etc.

Requirements:

   (a)  Duly filled in application form.           

   (b) Cancelled/expired Indian passport of the applicant (or anyone of his/her parents or grand parents) photocopy of the relevant pages and the Landing paper/ PR card along with photocopy.           

   (c) Canadian passport of the applicant and  photocopy.

Applications for children born to Indian parents in Canada must be accompanied by (i) the child's Canadian passport, (ii) original birth certificate mentioning the names of the parents and (iii) at least one parent's Indian passport and PR Card/ Landing Paper and a copy of all these documents           

   (d)  Four photographs (against a light background showing full frontal view of the face; approximate size  (3.5 cm X 3.5 cm )           

   (e)   Fee C$ 480/- for adults; C$ 240/- for those under 18 years.