Government of India, in March 1999, introduced the PIO Card Scheme. The scheme was modified in September 2002. Following are the salient features of the Scheme.
A) Person of Indian Origin means a person holding a nationality other than Indian ( but not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries as may be specified by the Government of India from time to time) if,
(i) He/she at any time was a citizen of India;
(ii) He/she or either or both of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents was/were born in and permanently resided in India.
(iii) He/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (i) or (ii) above.
B) PIO Card means a card issued under this scheme.
C) Facilities available to a PIO Card holder:
(i) A PIO Card holder shall not require a separate visa to visit India.
(ii) A PIO Card holder will be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay in India on any single visit does not exceed 180 days.
(iii) In the event continued stay in India of the PIO Card holder exceeds 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreign Regional Registration Officer.
(iv) All PIO Card holders shall enjoy parity with Non-Resident Indians (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 is allowed in the sphere of political rights.
D) Validity of PIO Card: 15 years
Documents required:
1. Duly filled in application form
2. Cancelled/expired Indian passport of the applicant (or any of his parents/grand grand parents/great grand parents) and a copy thereof.
4. Four photographs (2 inches X 2 inches) against a light background.
Fees: Adult – GS$ 69,600.00 or US$ 340.00 +US$3.00
Minor (up to the age of 18 years) G$ 35,050.00 or US$ 170.00 +US$3.00
Download the Requirements & application for PIO Card
Extension of timeline for handwritten PIO Cards beyond 31.12.2021 
