The PIO Card Scheme, 2002 has been launched in recognition of 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 India.
Benefits
- No requirement of visa to visit India
- Requirement to register with the Foreigners Registration Office only if continuous stay to exceed 180 days, in which case the registration is required to be done within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days
- Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of following facilities available to the latter in economic, financial, educational etc. fields:
- Acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except of agricultural/plantation properties
- Admission of children in educational institutions in India under the
general category quota for NRIs - including medical / engineering
college, IITs, IIMs etc.
- Various housing schemes of Life Insurance Corporation of India,
state governments and other government agencies
- All future benefits that would be extended to NRIs would also be available to the PIO Card holder
However, the PIO Card holders may not enjoy any political rights in India.
"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 if:
- He/She at any time held a Indian passport; or
- 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; or
- He/She is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (i) or (ii) above.
The Application Form(PIO form) can be downloaded from this website.
For a PIO Card, a one-time fee of TZS 4,70,000 is to be deposited along with the application (for minor childern upto 18 yrs of age TZS 2,35,000 and duplicate PIO Card TZS 1,30,000). Five recent photograph may also be sent with the application.
Furnishing of false information will result in summary rejection of the application. Acceptance of application does not confer any right on the applicant to PIO Card.
PIO Card is issued valid for 15 years.
|
