EMBASSY OF INDIA SURINAME

PIO CARD SCHEME


The Government of India has launched a  Comprehensive Scheme for the Persons of Indian Origin - called the "PIO Card Scheme" with effect from September 15, 2002. Under this scheme, Persons of Indian Origin up to the fourth generation (great grand parents) settled throughout the world, except for a few specified countries, would be eligible.


"Person of Indian Origin" means a foreign citizen not being a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh and other countries as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time if


(i)   he/she at any time held an Indian passport; or


(ii) he/she or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grand parents was born in and permanently resident in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizens of any of the aforesaid countries (as referred to in 2(b) above; or


(iii) he/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under (i) or (ii) above.