The Government of India for the convenience of persons of Indian origin has launched the 'PIO Card' scheme, aimed at making the journey back to the roots, simpler, easier, flexible and trouble free.

The validity of PIO card is 15 years subject to the validity of the passport.

Note: The PIO Card will be valid only when accompanied with a valid passport.

Processing of the application normally takes 20 working days, certain cases may take more time.

Download PIO Card Application Form from
www.hcilondon.in/downloadpio.php

[ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PERSONALLY SUBMIT THEIR PIO APPLICATIONS AT THE COUNTER, ONLY EXCEPTION WILL BE FOR FAMILY MEMBERS APPLYING TOGETHER OR FOR MINORS WHERE PARENTS CAN SUBMIT THE APPLICATION ON THEIR BEHALF. THOSE WHO CANNOT COME PERSONALLY MAY SEND APPLICATION BY POST. SAME REQUIREMENT IS FOR DELIVERY ALSO WHEN THE APPLICANT MUST COME IN PERSON TO COLLECT]

FEE FOR PIO CARD:

With effect from March 14, 2011, an additional fee of Pound two (£ 2.00) per application would be collected as ‘Consular Surcharge’ from all PIO Card applicants, including those applying for miscellaneous service. The additional fee would be duly reflected in the receipts issued to the applicant. The fee is required to be paid in cash or postal order payable to the High of Commission of India, London.

Fee of £217.00 (£215.00+£2.00) for adult  &

Fee of  £112.00 (£110.00+£2.00) for children below 18 years

Those eligibile to apply for a PIO Card

• Who at any time held an Indian passport; or
  
  
• He/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in and permanently resident in India as defined in    the Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part    of India thereafter provided neither he/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great    grandparents was at any time a citizen of any    country as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time ; (for list of countries please see the website: http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/oci-chart.pdf).
  
  
• Who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin as mentioned above, is eligible to hold a PIO card.

PIO APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO SURRENDER THEIR INDIAN PASSPORTS TO VFS AND SUBMIT COPY OF SURRENDER CERTIFICATE ALONGWITH THEIR PIO APPLICATIONS. THOSE APPLICANTS WHO HAVE EVER HELD INDIAN PASSPORTS AND ARE UNABLE TO PRODUCE THE SAME FOR SURRENDER FOR ANY REASON (LOSS/ MISPLACEMENT/ SUBMITTED TO HOME OFFICE LONG TIME BACK) ARE REQUIRED TO FURNISH A NOTARISED AFFIDAVIT IN ORIGINAL (IF THE PASSPORT IS ALREADY EXPIRED) AND ALSO POLICE REPORT ( IN CASES WHERE INDIAN PASSPORT WAS STILL VALID).

Renunciation/Surrender of Indian Passports

Documents required:

Following documents, along with Photocopies of the relevant pages, are to be submitted along with the application form for obtaining PIO Card:

Applicants applying on their own basis:

a) British Passport,
b) Naturalization Certificate
c) Surrender Certificate, or Birth Certificate (full version) / School Certificate/College Certificate, or Copy of Indian Passport. Plus  Notary Affidavit for non- availability of Indian Passport.

Applicants applying on parents/Grandparents basis:

a) British Passport,
b) Naturalization Certificate
c) Surrender Certificate of parents or grandparents, or Valid/Cancelled Indian Passport of parents or Grandparents of the applicant, or Birth Certificate of the parents or grandparents or School or College Certificate/leaving Certificate of the applicant or parents of the applicant
d) Applicants full version birth certificate

Applicants applying on the basis of their spouse:

a) British Passport,
b) Naturalization Certificate
c) Spouses OCI/PIO Card copy,
d) Spouse’s Surrender Certificate/valid Indian Passport,
e) Registered Marriage Certificate
f) Applicants full version birth certificate

Note:-  Provided neither he/she or his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents has ever held citizenship of list of countries mentioned in the website http://mha.nic.in/pdfs/oci-chart.pdf.

Please Note:

• All documents including passports must be furnished in original at the time of submission of application, once the application is accepted the original documents would be returned to the applicant immediately, only notarized affidavits if submitted would be retained in original.
  
  
• Post dated birth certificate from Municipality/Panchayat etc., affidavit should invariably be certified by the Indian First Class Magistrate of the area with name, stamp, seal and contact telephone numbers with area code for verification.
  
  
• School leaving certificate, at least Secondary School onwards from recognized  Board.  Post dated school certificate/school leaving certificate from India should be authenticated by Director of Education/First Class Magistrate of the area with name, stamp, seal and contact telephone numbers with area code for verification.

• A copy of authorized English translation of the Birth Certificate/School Certificate/Marriage Certificate if it is not in English/Hindi should accompany such documents.

• If the applicant is making application on the basis of documents of parents or grandparents, documentary relationship proof must be provided.

• Change of name/ appearance affidavit if required, by Consular Section of High Commission of India, London/Notary Public/Oath Commissioner.

• Thumb impression in the box on application form is required in case of minor applicants or Signature if minor can sign.

• Four recent passport size photograph (35 mm by 45 mm size) of the applicant

• A Self-addressed special delivery envelop may be submitted, in case if PIO card is required to be sent back by post.

• Other foreign nationals having long term visa or residency permit to stay in the UK can also submit their applications for PIO Card here but additional time would be required to process such applications are clearances from our Mission in their respective home country would be required.

Submission of application:

Applications for PIO service will be accepted at the PIO Services counter at the High Commission between 0915 hrs onwards on all working days.   Tokens will be issued to all applicants from 0830-1200 hrs.  at the token counter.  Alternatively, the application can be sent by post to the PIO Section, High Commission of India, India House, Aldwych, London, WC2B 4NA. Postal applications should be sent only by Royal Mail Special Delivery. For return of documents and PIO Card, postal applications should invariably be accompanied by a self-addressed Royal Mail special delivery envelope.

Miscellaneous Services along with fee detail

For replacement of lost or damaged PIO Card, for endorsing the new passport number in the PIO Card on acquisition of new passport, for address change, for change in surname or middle name.

• Fee £72.00 for lost or damaged PIO Card [for lost PIO Card, Police report & Lost PIO Card copy needed].
  
  
• Fee £9.00 for the following services :-
  
  a) Change of Passport number (new passport, PIO card and old passport required)
  
  b) Address change (Passport, PIO card and New address proof required)
  
  c) Surname/Middle name change (Passport, PIO card and Marriage Certificate/Name change deed from Notary required)

Please download the PIO Card Miscellaneous services form from www.hcilondon.in/downloadpio.php, fill it up attach copies of required documents (for example for endorsement of new passport number copies of old and new passports, PIO card would be required).

If deposited in person, you would get the required endorsement for new passport number done same day but please bring all original documents with you. If sent by post then only send the original PIO card along with copies of required documents with the form and fee in postal order drawn in favour of High Commission of India, London.

For other miscellaneous services like replacement of lost or damaged PIO Cards would take some additional time and can not be done same day.

Benefits available to a PIO Card Holder

• No visa required for visiting India during the period of validity of PIO Card.
  
  
• Exemption from the requirement of registration if stay in India does not exceed 6 months. Should the continuous stay exceed six months, registration will be required within 30 days of the expiry of six months with the concerned Foreigners Registration Officer (FRRO). (Click Here For Registration Checklist)
  
  
• Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.
  
  
• All facilities in the matter of acquisition, holding, transfer and disposal of immovable properties in India except in matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
  
  
• Facilities available to children of NRIs for getting admission to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institutes of Technology, Institutes of Management etc. under the general categories.
  
  
• Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.

Applicant already in India on Long-Term Visa (more than one year) should make the application for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:

Renunciation/Surrender of Indian Passports