Person of Indian Origin [PIO] means a person resident outside India who is a citizen of any country other than Bangladesh or Pakistan or such other country as may be specified by the central government, satisfying the following conditions:
i. Who was a citizen of India by virtue of the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955);
or
i. Who belonged to a territory that became part of India after the 15th day of August, 1947;
or
ii. Who is a child or a grandchild or a great grandchild of a citizen of India or of a person referred to in clause (a) or (b);or Who is a spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or spouse of foreign origin of a person referred to in clause (a) or (b) or (c)
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.
Click for the Documents required for PIO as per Ministry of external affairs (GOI)
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