Hello All
GOVT OF INDIA IS UPDATING VISA RULES INCLUDING PIO .
Here are the details of PIO which might help expats
DETAILS :
Persons of Indian Origin Card (PIO Card) is a form of identification issued to a Person who holds a passport in another country other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka.
Conditions
The conditions for issuing a PIO card to a person are that:
The person ever held an Indian passport
The person's parents or grandparents or great grandparents were born in and permanent residents of India and never moved to
(i.e. were never nationals of) Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
this list is gonna be updated
The person is the spouse of a citizen of India
i.e THIS WILL HELP EXPATS WHO ARE MARRIED TO A INDIAN
so they QUALIFY FOR A PIO
The PIO Card Program came into effect on 15 September 2002.
various benefits available to a PIO cardholders are:
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.
Now after change in rules THEY WILL GET LIFELONG VISA , NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields.
( YOU CAN OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS )
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
(IN SHORT YOU CAN BUY PROPERTY , MAKE INVESTMENTS WITH UR HUSBAND/WIFE)
Facilities available to children for getting admission to educational institutions in India including medical colleges, engineering colleges, Institutes of Technology, Institutes of Management etc. under the general categories.
(FOR YOUR CHILDREN)
Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.(lic: life insurance corporation)
Regards