MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS New Delhi, the 30th March, 1999 PIO CARD SCHEME F.NO.26011/4/98-IC.I. 1. Short title and commencement: - i. This scheme may be called the scheme for issuance of Person of Indian Origin Card (PIO Card). ii. It shall come into force with effect from 31st March 1999. 2. Definition - In this scheme, unless the context otherwise requires: - a. "Indian Mission" means the Embassy of India/High Commission of India/Indian Consulate in a foreign country. b. "Persons 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) if, 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 2(b) 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. c. "PIO Card" means a card issued under this scheme. 3. 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. 4. Authority to which application is to be made: - i. An application for issue of a PIO card shall be made to an Indian mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident. ii. Applicants already in India on long-term visa (more than one year) shall make the application for the issue of a PIO card to the following authorities Those residing in India Delhi - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer Hans Bhawan, I.P. Estate New Delhi-110002 Tel. 0091-11-331 9489 Fax. 375 5183 Mumbai - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer Annexe II, Commissioner of Police Craw Ford Market, Mumbai-400001 Tel. 0091-22-262 1169 Fax. 262 0721 Calcutta - Foreigners Regional Registration Officer 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road Calcutta- 700020 Tel. 0091-33-247 3301 Fax. 247 0549 Chennai - Chief Immigration Officer Bureau of Immigration Shastri Bhawan Annexe No.26, Haddows Road Chennai- 600006 Tel. 0091-44-827 7036 Fax. 827 7036 Those residing in Indian cities other than above :- Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, Ist floor Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market New Delhi- 110003 Tel. 0091-11-469 3334 Fax. 462 1543 5. Authority to grant a PIO card: - The authority to grant a PIO card shall be an officer in an Indian Mission notified in for the purpose or the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India or the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta or Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai. 6. Validity of PIO Card: - A PIO Card shall be valid for a period of twenty years subject to the validity subject to the validity of the passport of the applicant. 7. Fee: - A fee of US $1000, inclusive of US $250 (non-refundable) as processing fee, will be payable along with the application. In case of rejection of the application of the application, US $750 shall alone be refunded to the applicant. 8. Facilities to be extended to a PIO Card holder: - i. A PIO Card holder shall not require a visa to visit India. ii. A PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if his stay 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 Registration Officer at District Headquarters. iv. A PIO Card holder 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. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights. 9. Cancellation of PIO Card: - The Central Government may, be order, cancel the PIO Card, if it is satisfied that: i. The PIO Card was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or concealment of any material fact; or ii. The PIO Card holder has shown himself by act of speech to be disaffected towards the constitution of India and other laws of India; or iii. The PIO Card holder is a citizen or subject of any country at war with, or committing external aggression against India; or of any other country assisting the country at war with, or committing such aggression against India; or iv. The PIO Card holder has been sentenced in India for indulging in acts of terrorism, smuggling of narcotics, arms, ammunitions etc. or has been sentenced for committing an offence punishable with imprisonment upto one year or fine upto rupees ten thousand; or v. It is not conducive to the public interest that the person should continue to hold a PIO Card. No reasons shall be assigned for withdrawal of the Card. More...

Transit Visa US$ 5.00 Visas with validity upto six months US$ 30.00 Visas with validity upto one year US$ 50.00 Student Visa US$ 50.00 Visas with validity between one to five years US$100.00 Visa fees indicated in US$ are payable in local currencies as well. Visa fees are not refundable except in cases where a visa already issued is cancelled thereafter.  PROCESSING DURATION Depends on the type of visa applied. MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION: The duration of stay in India, for each visit on a tourist visa or business visa is only for a period of 6 months even though a valid visa may be for more than 6 months. Visa is given for a period for which passport is valid. For example, if a passport is valid until April 30,2003 and an applicant is applying for 5 years visa on December 31,1999, the applicant will not be issued a 5 years visa as the passport expires before the 5 year visa. Validity of all visas is counted from the date of their issue. Tourist visa up to 5 years may be granted if the foreigner is connected with the tourism trade. If visa is for more than 180 days, registration is compulsory within 14 days of first arrival in India. Extension of visa in Delhi- MHA- Director(F), Lok Nayak Bhawan, Ist floor, Khan market, New Delhi-110003.