Persons of Indian Origin Card - Uses

Uses

The various benefits available to a PIO cardholders are:

• No visa required for visiting India during the period of validity of PIO Card.
• Exemption from the requirement of registration if stay in India does not exceed 6 months. Should the continuous stay exceed six months, registration will be required within 30 days of the expiry of six months with the concerned Foreigners Registration Officer.
• Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.
• All facilities in the matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
• Facilities available to children of Non Resident Indians for getting admission to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institutes of Technology, Institutes of Management etc. under the general categories.
• Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.

Persons with a PIO are not

• allowed to vote
• eligible for an inner line permit. They have to apply for a Protected area permit.