PIO Card

 

A PIO (Person of Indian Origin) Card allows visa free travel and gives several benefits to the card holder In India to a foreign national. The PIO card will be valid only when accompanied with a valid Passport. 

 

A PIO card shall be valid for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue contrary to Passport expiry.This can be applied for inside FRRO Offices.

 

 

1) He/she at any time held an Indian Passport; or

2) He/she or either of his/her parents/grandparents/great grandparents was born in and was a permanent resident in India as defined in     the Government of India Act, 1935; or

3) He/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (1) or (2)

 

Rules applicable to countries except to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, China, Bhutan, Nepal or Sri Lanka

 

PIO card holders need to register with the appropriate FRRO (Foreigner Regional Registration Office) if they are planning to stay in India for more than 180 days. This requirement is not applicable for minors.The FRRO will issue a "Residential Permit For PIO" which is typically valid till the expiry of the PIO card holder's passport.