What are the benefits of a PIO Cardholder?

The PIO cardholders are entitled to the following benefits:

i. Multiple entries, multi-purpose visa for visiting India. PIO Card itself is treated as a Visa;

ii. No separate Student/Employment/Business visa will be required for admission in colleges/intuitions or taking up employment, business, etc in India;

iii. Special counters for speedy immigration clearance at designated Immigration check posts;

iv. Exemption from registration with local police authorities for a continuous stay up to 180 days in India;

v. Exemption from registration with local police authorities for miners up to 16 years of age;

vi. Parity with Non-resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial and educations fields except for acquisition of agricultural land or plantations;

vii. PIO Card can be used as identity proof for applying for an (I) PAN card, (II) driving license and (III) opening of Bank account in India if the PIO cardholder resides in India.

Note: i. In the event of continuous stay in India exceeding 180 days, the PIO Cardholder must get himself/herself registered, within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days, with the concerned jurisdictional FRRO/FRO.

ii. The grant of a PIO Card does NOT entitle the cardholder to visit a restricted/protected area. Prior permission of the competent authority is required to be obtained for visiting a restricted/protected area.

iii. A PIO card does NOT entitle the cardholder to undertake any missionary work, mountaineering and research work, without the prior permission of the Government of India.