Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card.

[Harish K R]

Hi,

I was about to apply for a Indian - 10 year Tourist visa for my new born kids and happen to read about the Person of Indian Orign card (PIO Card).

With this card entitles the kid born here in USA:
1) Does not need a visa to India.
2) Can Live and work in India as long as the PIO card is valid.
3) Get Education, Buy non-agricultural property...

But I have not heard of anyone having this card and I really don't know if there are any disadvantages of chosing this card over the 10-year tourist visa.

If any of you have obtained this card for your child could you please share some info/advise on the PIO card.

Thanks in Advance,
Harish K. R.

[Murali]

For now better to take the Visa if you have plans to come back and your trip is no longer then 6 months each time.
PIO card is good if you go back and sattle down back in India.

[Harish K R]

Murali,

Thanks for your opinion, any particular reason why you recommend the tourist visa?

The cost of a 10-year tourist visa is $150 + $5 mailing fee and the cost of the PIO card is $155 + $5 mailing fee and is valid for 15 YEARS.

Though my intentions are not to go back to India... for the difference of $5 but the additional validity of 5years and with less restrictions I thought the PIO card is a good choice.

Are you aware of any drawbacks with the card... a message from Honorable Prime Minister Vajapayee says 'This is the first step towards dual citizenship'

Thanks,
Harish K. R.

[Sunil]

Hi Harish,
I need some more information on this. My son (15 months old ) is in India and he had tourist visa for 10 years. I can not bring him here due to personal reasons and he has to stay for more than 6 months. I applied for registration but home ministry is saying that I had to get his visa converted to some other type (they did not mentioned which type)
Can you please guide if you have any more information on PIO card. I read on website that children under age of 16 years do not require to register even is their stay is more than 6 months. Is it true ? Please help

[Harish]

Sunil,

Thanks for your earlier inputs. After careful consideration and discussions with friends ( I even posted my query in Oracle Indians list and lot of them replied with valuable information, sincere thanks to them all) I applied for the PIO card and have already received it too.

Some Indians who took up Amercian Citizenship told their issues/problems when they travelled to india with tourist/visitor visas. They were harrased/threatned and what not... Most of the people who advised me not to take the card were considering the MONEY factor (earlier it was $1000 per person) and when I told them the fee is same as 10 Year visa all of them recommended PIO card.

People with PIO cards do not need to register if their stay is less than 180 days and if it exceeds 180 days they need to go to the Foreigners registration office (normally the Police Commissioner's office if you reside other than Delhi, Kolkotta, Mumbai or Chennai) only once for that trip, and since they do not require a visa for travel to india there is no question of visa converstion.

In your case if your child had a PIO card you would not have faced this problem... but this is not the end, if your child is in India you can still apply for PIO card in India itself, there are 5 locations (Delhi, Kolkotta, Mumbai, Amritsar & Chennai) where you can apply and get it probably in 3-4 weeks and it could solve your problem.

Finally, don't get carried away by the website which says to register or not. When the child enters India the immigration officer puts a stamp which has a note to register within .... that is the final say. The latest gazette notification released in India is the law.

If you have more specific questions do write in the form of questions and I would probably answer them.

[Babu]

Hello Mr. Harish

Did you apply for PIO card for your kids?
I have a four years son and I am planning to apply PIO card for him. I am having some questions about how to fill in some information in the application.
Could you please let me know if you can guide me.

Thanks
Babu