The PIO quest

Applying for PIO card in India, or any document for that matter, reminds me of computer games. It involves travelling the country, getting through labyrinths of offices, hunting mysterious people carrying the SECRET and avoiding all sorts of traps. With that said, it’s much more entertaining to deal with this sort of things on the screen. In real life it’s just frustrating.

But to the point…

PIO card(Person of Indian Origin) is a dream come true for foreigner living in India. It's kind of long term visa, work permit and few others merged into one neat booklet, valid for 15 (!) years.People eligible for getting one have to have Indian parent, grandparent or spouse.

These are the links with some information about the card and application process:

Where to apply: http://www.boi.gov.in/content/authority-which-application-made

Overall information: http://mha.nic.in/pioscheme#third

Application form http://mha1.nic.in/pdfs/pioform.pdf

 

How does it really work? As always, it’s a long story.

First of all, trying to get any information in Delhi is just a waste of time. Similarly, MHA website doesn’t answer all the questions. FRRO Mumbai turned out to be the most helpful (and efficient) of all.

I got the list of necessary documents in FRRO Delhi, and to say it was incomplete would be generous understatement. In the enquiry in MHA they just provide phone number and website address – no information and no application form. Incidentally, application link on MHA website hasn’t been working for over a year…

I’ve been getting mixed messages about the application process as well. Some said I can just courier the documents; others, that my visa has to be valid for 6 more months as it takes that long to get the card.

This is what I’ve learned:

Passport has to be valid for 6+ moths and visa for 2+ months at the moment of application.

Processing the documents takes maximum 2 Months (that is still to be verified)

You have to apply in person as all the submitted photocopies have to be verified with original documents at the moment of application.

You have to collect the card in person (once again – that is to be seen)

How I went about it:

Before our express trip to Mumbai, we collected as much information as possible from other blogs and forums, so I had nearly all the documents ready. Day before application, we made a trip to FRRO to collect the application form and clarify everything.

FRRO Mumbai accepts the documents till 2pm, but they are open till 6pm for inquiries. Form costs 20 rs and needs to be submitted in single copy or duplicate depending on your place of residence. First page lists all the required documents.

In case you are applying based on your spouse’s nationality, you will need copies of:

Your passport

Your current visa (will all the conversions or extensions)

Your first Indian visa

 Residence permit

Leave and license agreement (or other address proof)

Marriage certificate

Spouse’s passport

4 stamp size pictures (en face, no glasses or earrings, ears visible, light background)

Demand draft (15000 rs)

Last page of the application form has to be transferred and notarized onto 100rs paper. 

There is a court nearby FRRO Mumbai, so you can have it done in about half an hour.

This is the form I got. 

 I apologize for the quality, but all I had time for was to click few pictures with my phone. Submitting the documents takes maybe 15 minutes – they will check the copies against originals so make sure to carry them. If needed, you can have your picture taken or make photocopies on the same floor as the PIO office. When I applied there was no queue whatsoever and everyone was quite helpful and seemed to know what they were doing – what a difference comparing to Delhi!

Now, in two weeks’ time I have to have the police verification done. As far as I remember, in Delhi they send someone to your place, in Goa you have to make a trip to the closest police station and then FRRO office. After another two weeks I can start calling Mumbai about my card’s status. That’s what I know for now.

Good luck!