Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) Card
This is issued to any person currently holding a non-Indian passport, who can prove their Indian origin up to three generations before. The same holds for spouses of Indian citizen or persons of Indian origin. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries as may be specified by the central government are not eligible for grant of Persons of Indian Origin card.
A PIO card is generally valid for a period of fifteen years from the date of issue. It gives the holder the following benefits:
- exemption from registration at a Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for periods of stay less than 180 days,
- enjoy parity with non-resident Indians in economic, financial and educational fields,
- acquire, hold, transfer, or dispose of immovable properties in India, except for agricultural properties,
- open rupee bank accounts, lend in rupees to Indian residents, and make investments in India etc.,
- being eligible for various housing schemes under the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) or the central or State governments,
- their children can obtain admission in educational institutions in India in the general category quota for non-resident Indians.
Possession of a PIO card will not entitle the holder to:
- being eligible for the exercise of any political rights
- visit restricted or protected areas without permission
- undertake mountaineering, research, and missionary work without permission.
Read more about this topic: Indian Nationality Law
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