at
the consulate office,
201-325, Howe Street, Vancouver either by Mail or in Person
Only
Emergency Passport and Visa will be accepted at the consulate
09:30-11:30
Hrs (On all business days, with ticket (travel within 48 hours)
and proof of Emergency-Only Canadian Passport holders.
We
may not be able to grant the service in certain cases.
Persons
of Indian Origin (PIO) Card Scheme
In
deference to the sentiments of persons of Indian origin to
reconnect with their roots, as well as respecting their desire
to participate in the development of the country of their
origin, the Government of India had announced a scheme for
issuance of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) Card with effect
from 31 March 1999. The issue of fee for PIO Card was
under consideration of the Government of India for quite
sometime.
With
effect from 15th September 2002, the Government of
India has announced a new PIO Card Scheme-2002. The
salient features of the new Scheme are as follows:
1.“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)
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 citizen of any of the aforesaid
countries (as referred to in (1) 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.
2.Form of application for issue/renewal of a PIO Card
An application
for issue/renewal of a PIO Card shall be made in the prescribed form
and shall be accompanied by documentary evidence to show that
the applicant is a person of Indian origin as defined.
Application should be accompanied by the current passport and
the Landing Paper of the applicant and a copy of each of these
documents.
Applications
for children born to Indian parents in Canada must be
accompanied by (i) the child's Canadian passport, (ii) original
birth certificate mentioning the names of the parents and (iii)
at least one parent's Indian passport and PR Card/ Landing Paper
and a copy of all these documents.
3.Validity
of PIO Card
Under
the new Scheme, the PIO Card shall be valid for fifteen years
from the date of issue. The validity of the PIO Cards issued
under Scheme-1999, will be extended by 10 more years without
charging any fee. No refund shall, however, be admissible to
earlier PIO Card holders under the Scheme-1999, on reduction of
PIO Card fee under the new Scheme-2002
4. Facilities to be extended to a PIO Card holder
i) A PIO Card holder shall not require a separate Visa to
visit India.
ii)A PIO Card
holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if
his/her stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180
days.
iii)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.
iv) All PIOs, including PIO Card holders, shall enjoy parity
with NRIs in respect of all facilities available to the latter
in the economic, financial and educational fields except in
matters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/plantation
properties
v)
Can take up private employment in India without seeking any
separate permission from the Government, unless otherwise
specifically provided for by other Ministries/Departments.
5.No
parity in the sphere of political rights.
Persons
of Indian Origin (PIO) card Procedure
It’s
validity is for 15 years and entitles the holder to visa free
entry to India in association with a valid foreign nationality
passport, investment facilities, education, etc.
Requirements:
(a)Duly filled in application form.
(b) Cancelled/expired Indian passport of the applicant
(or anyone of his/her parents or grand parents) photocopy of the
relevant pages and the Landing paper/ PR card along with
photocopy.
(c)Canadian
passport of the applicant and photocopy.
Applications
for children born to Indian parents in Canada must be
accompanied by (i) the child's Canadian passport, (ii) original
birth certificate mentioning the names of the parents and (iii)
at least one parent's Indian passport and PR Card/ Landing Paper
and a copy of all these documents
(d)Four
photographs (against a light background showing full frontal
view of the face; approximate size (3.5 cm X 3.5 cm
)
