PIO/OCI CARD
PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN (PIO) CARD
A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) means a foreign citizen (except a national of
Pakistan, Afghanistan Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Nepal)
who at any time held an Indian passport
Or
who or either of their parents/ grand parents/ great grand parents was born
and permanently resident in India as defined in 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
above);
Or
Who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO
Benefits of a PIO card:-
(i) PIO card holders do not require a visa to visit India for a period of 15 years
from the date of issue of the PIO card.
(ii) They are exempted from registration at FRRO/FRO if their stay does not
exceeds 180 days, Incase if the stay exceeds 180 days, they shall have to
register with FRRO/ FRO within the next 30 days.
(iii) They enjoy parity with NRIs in economic, financial and educational benefits
like:-
Acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties
in India, except agricultural/ plantation properties
Admission of children to educational institutions in India under
general category quota for NRIs, including medical and engineering
college, IITs, IIMs etc
Availing Various housing schemes of LIC of India, State Government
and Central Government agencies
All future benefits that would be exempted to NRIs would also be available to the PIO
card holders.
However, PIOs do not enjoy employment rights in Government of India services nor
can they hold any constitutional office in the Government of India. They need prior
permission for undertaking mountaineering, missionary activities, research work
and to visit restricted areas in India.