An additional fee of Euro 3.00 (Euro Three only) shall be levied on all visa, passport and consular services with effect from 11th April 2011.   ~    If you are carrying any satellite phone please declare to the custom authorities on arrival in India  

 

PIO Cards

Consular Hours:

Receipt of applications:

• Monday - Friday 9.00 AM to 11.00 AM

Collection of documents by the applicants:

• Monday - Friday 3.30 - 4.30 PM

(Embassy is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and other specified holidays)

I. What is a PIO Card

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.

II. 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:

1. The person at any time held an Indian Passport; or
2. Either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in, and was permanently resident in India, provided neither was at any time a citizen of any of the aforesaid excluded countries; or
3. Spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (1) or (2) above.

III. Requirements

1. Application form duly filled in duplicate;
2. 4 recent passport size photographs;
3. Proof of Indian origin like photocopy of Indian passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate and copy of husband's/wife's passport
4. Copy of birth certificate in case either of the parents of the applicant is Indian national/Indian origin
5. Copy of Slovak Republic passport.
6. Please also submit English translation of document(s) if the original is not in English.

IV. 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. In case of children upto the age of 18 years, the PIO card will be valid for 15 years or till they attain the age of 18 years whichever is less.

V. Fees

PIO Card for Adults - € 320.00/-
PIO Card for Children - € 160.00/-

VI. Benefits of having a PIO Card

No visa required for visiting India.

A PIO Card holder will be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 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 non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational field.

All PIOs including 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 except in maters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.

VII. 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.