PIO Card Scheme

The genesis of the PIO Card Scheme lay in the long-standing demand for dual citizenship raised by PIOs. The Scheme was launched in March 1999 for all PIOs up to the fourth generation, except for citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries specified by the Government.

The genesis of the PIO Card Scheme lay in the long-standing demand for dual citizenship raised by PIOs. The Scheme was launched in March 1999 for all PIOs up to the fourth generation, except for citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries specified by the Government.

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It introduced a visa free regime for 20 years at a US$1000 fee and conferred on the holder several economic, educational, financial and cultural benefits at par with NRIs. In addition, in April 2001, the High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora submitted interim recommendations to the Government, which included

(i) charging a lower fee but for a decreased validity of 10 years in parallel with the earlier Scheme;

(ii) lowering the fees for PIOs aged below 18 years;

(iii) introduction of a two-tier fee structure for applicants from high income and middle/low income countries;

(iv) issuing of PIO Cards to subscribers of special India Development Bonds and eminent PIOs and

(v) facilitate re-acquisition of Indian citizenship by senior citizens who are PIO card holders, who intend spending the remainder of their lives in India.