ISSUE OF PERSON OF INDIAN ORIGIN (PIO) CARD. The issue of PIO card by the Government of India offices, within the country and abroad, is governed by the PIO Card Notification no. F. No. 26011/4/98-IC.I. dated 30 March, 1999 , which is reproduced below.

• What is a PIO-Card?
• Eligibility?
• Benefits of having a PIO-Card o Restrictions
• Validity
• Fee
• How to apply

What is a PIO-Card?

The PIO(Persons of Indian Origin) Card Scheme, is in operation since 15th September, 2002. The Government of India for the convenience of persons of Indian origin has launched the 'PIO Card' scheme, aimed at making the travel to India, simpler and easier.

Eligibility?

Every person of Indian origin who is not a citizen of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time will be eligible to apply for PIO Card, if:

• The person at any time held an Indian Passport;
• Either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parentswas born in, and was permanently resident in India, provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the aforesaid excluded countries; or
• Spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (i) or (ii) above.

Benefits of having a PIO-Card

• No visa required for visiting India.
• No separate “Student Visa” or “Employment Visa” required for admissions in Colleges/Institutions or for taking up employment respectively.
• A PIO Card holder will be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed180 days.
• In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO Card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer.
• Parity with NRI’s in respect of all facilities available to the latter in the economic, financial and educational fields. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
• All future benefits to be extended to NRI’s will also be available to PIO card holders
• PIO Card holders shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities in the matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India.
• No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights. o Special counters at the immigration check posts for speedy clearance.

Restrictions

• However, the PIO Card holder is prohibited from acquiring agricultural/ plantation properties.
• Prior permission of the Government of India is required by the PIO Card holders for undertaking mountaineering expeditions, missionary activities, research work, and visits to the restricted/protected areas.

Validity

• The PIO Card shall be valid for 15 years from the date of issue, subject to the condition that a valid passport accompanies it Fee
• PIO Card - N$ 4030.00 (for adults)
• PIO Card - N$ 2015.00 (for children)

An additional surcharge of N$20/- is applicable on all PIO card services.

How to apply:

• PIO Card for Adults:
  • Application form duly filled in and signed where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
  • 4 recent passport photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x 40 mm without border
  • Self attested copy of previous Indian passport OR any other document which clearly establishes applicant's Indian origin.
  • Self attested copy of present Namibian passport.
• PIO Card for children below 18yrs.
  • Application form duly filled in and signed by either of the parent where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
  • 4 recent passport photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x 40 mm without border
  • Copy of previous Indian passport OR any other document which clearly establishes applicant's Indian origin, duly attested by either of the parent.
  • Copy of present Namibian passport (2 sets) attested by either of the parent
  • Copy of present Namibian passport duly attested by either of the parent.
• PIO Card for Adults born to Indian parents and never held an Indian Passport
  • Application form duly filled in and signed where ever necessary (tobe submitted in duplicate)
  • 4 recent passport photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x 40 mm without border
  • Self attested copy of either of the parents Indian passport o Self attested copy of Birth certificate
  • Self attested copy of present Namibian passport.
• PIO Card for Children below 18 yrs. born to Indian parents or parents of Indian origin and never held an Indian Passport.
  • Application form duly filled in and signed by either of the parents where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
  • 4 recent passport photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x 40 mm without border
  • Copy of previous Indian passport of either of the parent duly attested by them.
  • Copy of Birth Certificate attested by either of the parent.
  • Copy of present Namibian passport attested by either of the parent
• PIO Card issued to Spouses of Indian Nationals, who are not of Indian Origin.
  • Application form duly filled in and signed where ever necessary (to be submitted in duplicate)
  • 4 recent passport photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 40 x 40 mm without border
  • Self attested copy of previous Indian passport of wife/husband OR any other document which clearly establishes wife's/husband's Indian origin.
  • Self attested copy of Marriage Certificate Self attested copy of present Namibian passport.

Overseas Citizens of India Scheme (CIO)

The Constitution of India does not allow holding Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. Based on the recommendation of the High Level committee on Indian Diaspora, the Government of India decided to grant Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI). Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) of certain category who migrated from India and acquired citizenship of a foreign country other than Pakistan and Bangladesh, are eligible for grant of OCI as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship in some form or the other under their local laws.

On Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2005, the Prime Minister of India had made a statement on the issue of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) Scheme. In pursuance of this statement, the Citizenship Act, 1955 and other related rules have been amended and the Overseas Citizenship of India Scheme has become operational with effect from 2 December, 2005.

• Benefits
• Restrictions
• Eligibility
• Where to Apply
• Fee Schedule
• Required documents

Benefits:

Registered OCIs shall be entitled to following benefits:

• Multi-purpose, multi entry, lifelong visas for visiting India.
• Exemption from registration with Foreigners Regional Registration

officer/Foreigners Registration Officer for any length of stay in India. o Parity with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of all facilities to

the latter in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.

Any other benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Restrictions:

• The OCI is not entitled to vote,
• Be a member of Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council or Parliament.
• He/she cannot hold constitutional posts such as President, Vice President, Judge of Supreme Court or High Court etc. o cannot normally hold employment in the Government.

Every registered OCI will be issued a registration certificate which is printed like an Indian passport in different colour and an OCI visa sticker will be pasted in the person's foreign passport. These two documents will have the photograph of the individual and all necessary security features.

Eligibility Criteria:

A foreign national, who:

• was eligible to become a citizen of India on 26.01.1950
• was a citizen of India on or at any time after 26.01.1950
• belonged to a territory that became part of India after 15.08.1947 and his/her children and grandchildren, are eligible for registration as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI), provided his/her country of citizenship allows dual citizenship in some form or other under the local laws.

The minor children of such persons are also eligible for OCI.

N.B. Minor children are NOT eligible for OCI in case both parents are Indian nationals However, if the applicant had ever been a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, he/she will not be eligible for OCI.

Where to apply

The Government of India has amended its Citizenship Rules, 1956 to simplify the procedure and application form for grant of OCI registration. The application for the grant of OCI can be received in two ways:

• In India: If the applicant is in India, he/she can apply to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkota or Amritsar or Chief Immigration Officer (CHIO) Chennai or to the Under Secretary, OCI Cell, Citizenship Section, Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Jaisalmer House, 26 Mansingh Road, New Delhi- 110011.
• Elsewhere in the world: At Indian Missions/Posts outside India and by FRROs/CHIO and OCI Cell in Foreigners Division of MHA in India.

Fee Schedule:

• OCI Card - US $ 275,00 or its equivalent (N$ 3575.00)
• OCI Card for PIO card holder – US $ 25.00 or its equivalent (N$325.00)

You should submit a copy of your PIO card along with other documents. Namibian $ 20.00 is additionally applicable on all OCI Card services.

Documents to be submitted with OCI Application:

PPP. OCI Card for Adults

QQQ. OCI Card for Children

RRR. Adults born to Indian Parents but never held an Indian Passport

SSS. Children born to Indian Parents but never held an Indian Passport

TTT. OCI Card for PIO Card holders

• OCI Card for Adults:
  • Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
  • Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
  • 4 recent photographs. Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 35 x 35 mm without border
  • Self attested copy of previous Indian passport (2 sets) OR any document which clearly establishes applicant's previous nationality as Indian.
  • Self attested copy of present Namibian passport (2 sets)
• OCI Card for children below 18 yrs (who held an Indian Passport).
• Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed by the applicant (to be submitted in 2 original sets). Please note that, in the box on Part A, minor can sign only if he/she can, otherwise only thump impression (signature /thump impression should be within the box).
• Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary by either of the parent (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
• copy of previous Indian passport (2 sets) attested by either of the parent
• Copy of present Namibian passport (2 sets) attested by either of the parent
• Copy of father's/mother's Namibian passport ( 2 sets)who is eligible for an OCI Card, duly attested by either of them.
• 4 recent passport photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 35 x 35 mm without border.
• OCI Card for Adults born to Indian parents and never held an Indian Passport
  • Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
  • Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
  • 4 recent passport size photographs Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 35 x 35 mm without border
  • Self attested copy of previous Indian passport (2 sets) of either of the parent.
  • Self attested copy of Birth Certificate (2 sets)
  • Self attested copy of present Namibian passport (2 sets)
• OCI Card for Children below 18 yrs born to Indian parents and never held an Indian Passport.
  • Application form -Part A duly filled in and signed by the applicant (to be submitted in 2 original sets). Please note that, in the box on Part A, minor can sign only if he/she can, otherwise only thump impression (signature /thump impression should be within the box).
  • Application form -Part B duly filled in and signed wherever necessary by either of the parent (to be submitted in 2 original sets)
  • Copy of present Namibian passport (2 sets) duly attested by either of the parent
  • Copy of father's/mother's Namibian passport ( 2 sets) who is eligible for an OCI Card, duly attested by either of them respectively.
  • 4 recent passport photographs (size 35 x 35) Photograph must show full frontal view of the persons head and shoulders showing in the middle of the photograph, having a white or light coloured background. The photograph should measure 35 x35 mm without border.
  • Copy of previous Indian passport of either of the parent (2 sets) duly attested by either of them.
  • Copy of Birth Certificate (2 sets) attested by either of the parent
  • Copy of present Namibian passport (2 sets) attested by either of the parent
• OCI Card for PIO Card holders:
• Attested copy of PIO Card (2 sets ) along with all documents mentioned against each category

PRAVASI BHARATIYA DIVAS

The Government of India , along with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), have been celebrating the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas' in January each year. The website for all information on this major event in India 's strengthening links with the Indian diaspora is a must for NRIs/PIOs to plan their participation and broader familiarisation with India and the Government policies on issues of their interest : http://www.indiaday.org.

For investment opportunities for Overseas Indians please visit the website- www.oifc.in