India News Online

The Government has launched a comprehensive Scheme for the Persons of Indian Origin – called the "PIO Card Scheme". Under this Scheme, Persons of Indian Origin up to the fourth generation (great grand parents) settled throughout the world, except for a few specified countries, would be eligible. The Card would be issued to eligible applicants through the concerned Indian Embassies/High Commissions/Consulates and for those staying in India on a long-term visa, the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai) would do the same.

The fee for the card, which will have a validity of 20 years, would be US $1000.

Besides making their journey back to their roots simpler, easier and smoother, this Scheme entitles the PIOs to a wide range of economic, financial, educational and cultural benefits. The benefits envisaged under the Scheme include:

(i)	No requirement of visa to visit India;
(ii)	No requirement to register with the Foreigners Registration Officer if continuous stay exceeds 180 days, then registration is required to be done within a period of 30 days of the expiry of 180 days:
(iii)	Parity with Non-Resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial, educational fields etc. These facilities will include:

	Acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except of agricultural/plantation properties;
	Admission of children in educational institutions in India under the general category quota for NRIs – including medical/engineering colleges, IITs, IIMs etc.
	Various housing schemes of Life Insurance Corporation of India, State Governments and other Government agencies:

(iv)	All future benefits that would be extended to NRIs would also be available to the PIO Card holders;
(v)	However, they shall not enjoy political rights in India.

The above steps would go a long way in renewing and strengthening the emotional bond amongst PIOs with the land of their origin. The attractive features of the Scheme will further exhort them to play an increasingly constructive role in the socio-economic and cultural development of the country of their origin.