Person of Indian Origin Card (PIO Card) scheme for foreigners of Indian origin holding foreign passports was introduced by the Government of India from 31 March 1999. The scheme was revised on 15 September 2002.
A “Person of Indian Origin” is 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) provided
a) he/she at any time held an Indian Passport; or
b) he/she or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents were born in and permanently resided 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 Col. 2 above); or
c) he/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under 3 & 4 above.
 Obtaining a PIO CARD
Validity of PIO CARD
Fee
Benefits of PIO CARD
Cancellation of PIO CARD
Obtaining a PIO Card: An application for issue of a PIO card can be given to the Embassy of India in Stockholm, by persons residing either in Sweden or Latvia. The forms have to be submitted with documentary evidence to show that the applicant is a person of Indian origin as defined. Each family member will have to give a separate application for grant of PIO card and pay separate fee. Names of children shall not be included in the PIO cards of parents. If the application and supporting documents are in order, the PIO card is granted to the applicant by the Embassy.
Applicants already in India on long-term visa (of more than one year) can apply as below:
i) If resident in New Delhi - at the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Level – II, East Block VIII, R.K. Puram, Sector – I, New Delhi.
ii) If resident in Mumbai – Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Annexe-II. Commissioner of Police, Crawford market, Mumbai – 100001.
iii) If resident in Kolkata – Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata – 700020.
iv) If resident in Amritsar – Additional Deputy Director, Bureau of Immigration, B/123, Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar
v) If resident of Chennai – Chief Immigration Officer, Bureau of Immigration, Shastri Bhavan Annexe, No. 26, Haddows Road, Chennai – 600006
vi) Those residing in other areas can apply to the Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, 1st Floor, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi – 110003.
VALIDITY OF PIO CARD: A PIO Card shall be valid for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue subject to validity of applicant’s passport. PIO Cards issued previously at US$1000 will continue to be valid. While no refund shall be available due to revision of fee, the validity of such PIO cards would be extendable for a further period of 10 years (i.e. 30 years in all), if so applied for by the cardholder, without any extra cost.
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FEE: The fee for a PIO Card would be SEK2895 payable alongwith the application. PIO Card to children upto the age of 18 years will be issued at a fee of SEK1450 for a fifteen year card.
The Embassy has stopped accepting cash/cheque at the Visa/Passport Counter. Applicants are requested to pay fee for the service requested through BANK-GIRO (5816-4930) only and enclose a copy of the proof of payment along with the application documents.
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Benefits of PIO Card:
1 A PIO card-holder shall not require a separate visa to visit India.
2 PIO cardholders shall be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay in India on any single visit does not exceed 180 days. If their stay is more than 180 days the card-holder shall have to register within 30 days of the expiry of the 180days, with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer.
3 All PIOs including PIO cardholders shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of facilities available to the latter in 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.
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Cancellantion of PIO CARD
PIO CARD can be cancelled if:
a. the PIO Card was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact; or
b. the PIO Card holder has shown himself by act or speech to be disaffected towards the Constitution of India and other laws of India; or
c. 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
d. the PIO Card holder has been sentenced in India for indulging in acts of terrorism, smuggling of narcotics, arms, ammunition etc. or has been sentenced for committing an offence punishable with imprisonment upto one year or fine upto rupees ten thousand; or
e. It is not conductive to the public interest that the person should continue to hold a PIO Card.
No reasons shall be assigned for cancellation of the Card.
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