• What is a PIO-Card?
  
• Eligibility?
  
• Benefits of having a PIO-Card
  
• Restrictions
  
• Validity
  
• Fee
  
• How to apply

What is a PIO-Card?
The PIO(Persons of Indian Origin) Card Scheme, is in operation since 15th September, 2002. The Government of India for the convenience of persons of Indian origin has launched the 'PIO Card' scheme, aimed at making the the travel to India, simpler and easier.

Eligibility?
Every person of Indian origin who is not a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time will be eligible to apply for PIO Card, if:

• The person at any time held an Indian Passport; or
  
• Either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents was born in, and was permanently resident in India, provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the aforesaid excluded countries; or
  
• Spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (i) or (ii) above.
  

Benefits of having a PIO-Card

• No visa required for visiting India.
  
• No separate “Student Visa” or “Employment Visa” required for admissions in Colleges/Institutions or for taking up employment respectively.
  
• A PIO Card holder will be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days.
  
• In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO Card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer.
  
• Parity with NRI’s in respect of all facilities available to the latter in the economic, financial and educational fields. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
  
• All future benefits to be extended to NRI’s will also be available to PIO card holders
  
• PIO Card holders shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities in the matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India.
  
• No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
  
• Special counters at the immigration check posts for speedy clearance.
  

Restrictions

• However, the PIO Card holder is prohibited from acquiring agricultural/ plantation properties.
  
• Prior permission of the Government of India is required by the PIO Card holders for undertaking mountaineering expeditions, missionary activities, research work, and visits to the restricted/protected areas.
  
  

Validity

• The PIO Card shall be valid for 15 years from the date of issue, subject to the condition that a valid passport accompanies it.
  

Fee

• PIO Card - fee - € 320,00
  (for adults)
  
• PIO Card - fee - € 160,00
  (for children)

How to apply:

A. PIO Card for Adults:

1. Application form duly filled in and signed where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
   
2. 4 recent passport photographs (No Bio-metric)
   Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x40 mm without border
   
3. Self attested copy of previous Indian passport OR any other document which clearly establishes applicant's Indian origin.
   
4. Self attested copy of present German passport.
   
5. Meldebescheinigung
   ......................................................................................................................................

B. PIO Card for children below 18yrs.

1. Application form duly filled in and signed by either of the parent where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
   
2. 4 recent passport photographs (No Bio-metric)
   Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x40 mm without border
3. Copy of previous Indian passport OR any other document which clearly establishes applicant's Indian origin, duly attested by either of the parent.
   
4. Copy of present German passport (2 sets) attested by either of the parent
   
5. Copy of present German passport duly attested by either of the parent.
   
6. Meldebescheinigung
   .....................................................................................................................................
   

C. PIO Card for Adults born to Indian parents and never held an Indian Passport

1. Application form duly filled in and signed where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
   
2. 4 recent passport photographs (No Bio-metric)
   Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x40 mm without border
   
3. Self attested copy of either of the parents Indian passport
   
4. Self attested copy of Birth certificate
   
5. Self attested copy of present German passport.
   
6. Meldebescheinigung
   ......................................................................................................................................
   

D. PIO Card for Children below 18 yrs. born to Indian parents or parents of Indian origin and never held an Indian Passport.

1. Application form duly filled in and signed by either of the parents where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
   
2. 4 recent passport photographs (No Bio-metric)
   Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x40 mm without border
   
3. Copy of previous Indian passport of either of the parent duly attested by them.
   
4. Copy of Birth Certificate attested by either of the parent.
   
5. Copy of present German passport attested by either of the parent
   
6. Meldebescheinigung
   ......................................................................................................................................
   

E. PIO Card issued to Spouses of Indian Nationals, who are not of Indian Origin.

1. Application form duly filled in and signed where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
   
2. 4 recent passport photographs (No Bio-metric)
   Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x40 mm without border
   
3. Self attested copy of previous Indian passport of wife/husband OR any other document which clearly establishes wife's/husband's Indian origin.
   
4. Self attested copy of Marriage Certificate
   
5. Self attested copy of present German passport.
   
6. Meldebescheinigung
   ......................................................................................................................................