The Embassy of India in Addis Ababa

Last Updated on September 18, 2025

ELIGIBILITY FOR PIO(PERSONS OF INDIAN ORIGIN) CARD

The Government of India has announced vide Gazette Notification No.26011/01/2014IC.I dated 09 January 2015(notification link), that all PIO cards issued till 09 January 2015 are deemed to be OCI card. As such the PIO Card scheme has been withdrawn and henceforth, applicants may apply for OCI card ONLY. PIO card scheme is no longer in existence.

The date for application for conversion of valid PIO cards to OCIs card has been extended till 31 March 2016. Valid PIO card holders are advised to submit their applications by 31 March 2016. One can apply for an OCI card in lieu of a valid PIO card free of any charges.

The applicants may submit the applications for OCI card in lieu of PIO card to the Indian Mission/FRRO concerned within the jurisdiction of his/her place of residence. This is in modification of the earlier instructions that they should apply only at the location where the PIO card was issued.

In the event of change of passport of PIO card holder, he/she can travel to India on the basis of new passport with the valid PIO card and the old passport on which PIO card number is endorsed.

For any query please contact : cons.addisababa@mea.gov.in

NOTE:

Stateless persons holding identity/travel documents are not eligible.

BENEFITS OF A PIO CARD

The following benefits accrue to the holder of a PIO Card :

A multiple entry, multi-purpose visa for visiting India. PIO Card itself is treated as Visa.
No separate “Student Visa” or “Employment Visa” required for admissions in Colleges/ Institutions or for doing business etc. in India.
A PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration with local police authorities if his/her stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days.
Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in economic, financial and educational fields, except for acquisition of agricultural land or plantations.
PIO Card can be used as identity proof for applying for PAN Card/ driving licenses as also for opening Bank account in India, if PIO Card holder resides in India.
Special counters at designated immigration check posts for speedy clearance.

NOTE:

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/ Foreign Registration Officer.
Grant of PIO Card does not entitle holder to visit restricted/protected areas or to undertake missionary work/mountaineering/research, without prior permission from Government of India.

RULES REGARDING PIO CARD

FEES

The fee for PIO Card would be Birr 4990/-, payable along with the application.

PROCESSING TIME

Generally issued in 14 working days
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED (One set) (To be submitted by the applicant in person)

Application Form

• Photocopy of Passport (submit original Passport for verification)
• Photocopy of Identity Card
• Four photographs of size 2 inch x 2 inch cm in light background
• Photocopy of Birth Certificate and its English translation (submit original Birth Certificate for verification)

In addition, any one or more of the following documents will be required to establish your Indian Origin or link to Person of Indian Origin

• Photocopy of Passport of parents/grand parents/great grand parents (submit original Passport for verification)
• Proof of relationship with parents/grand parents/great grand parents (submit original evidence for verification)
• Photocopy of documents in case there has been a change in Name/Surname along with its English translation
• If applying on basis of spouse, photocopy of Marriage Certificate and its English translation (submit original Marriage Certificate for verification).  If issued in India, Marriage Certificate required to be attested from Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
• Photocopy of previous Indian passport (submit original Passport for verification)
• Photocopy of House Registration Certificate (or any other secondary proof) and its English translation (submit original House Registration Certificate /or any other secondary proof for verification)
• A written/typed letter requesting for PIO Card, amplifying or clarifying any other aspect of Indian origin, based on documents submitted.
• If applying on basis of OCI Card holder, photocopy of OCI Card and proof of relationship (submit original OCI Card and proof of relationship)

NOTE :

Indian Passport of applicant/spouse/parents/grand parents/great grand parents is primary documentary proof of Indian origin. In case where this is not available, secondary proof (such as House Registration/Domicile Certificate/Revenue records/Education Certificate/foreign country passport showing place of birth in India) may be submitted, which will be subject to verification from issuing authorities. Applicants are advised to have secondary proof attested from concerned government authorities before applying for PIO Card.

PIO CARD MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

For PIO Card Miscellaneous Services such as endorsement of new passport number or change of name/surname etc, the applicant will have to apply at the Mission that issued original PIO Card. Documents to be submitted :-

For endorsement of new Passport number in PIO Card

• A request letter (typed or handwritten) requesting for the particular service.
• Photocopy of old passport, new passport and PIO Card (First and last cover page). Also submit originals.

For change of name/surname

• A request letter (typed or handwritten) requesting for the particular service.
• Photocopy of old passport, new passport and PIO Card (First and last cover page). Also submit originals.

Applicants already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year) can make the application for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities :-

Those residing in-

Delhi

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,

Level-II, East Block VIII,
R.K. Puram Sector-I, New Delhi
Tel: (91-11) 23319489
Fax: (91-11) 23755183

Mumbai

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
Annexe-II, Commissioner of Police,
Craw Ford Market, Mumbai-400001.
Tel: (91-22) 22621169
Fax: (91-22) 22620721

Kolkata

Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,
237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road,
Kolkata-700020
Tel: (91-33) 22473301
Fax: (91-33) 22470549

Chennai

Chief Immigration Officer,
Bureau of Immigration,
Shastri Bhavan Annexe, No. 26,
Haddows Road, Chennai-600006
Tel: (91-44) 28277036
Fax: (91-44) 28277036

Amritsar

Additional Deputy Director,
Bureau of Immigration,
B/123, Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar.

Those residing in areas other than these:-

Shri D.S. Mishra
Joint Secretary (Foreigners),
Ministry of Home Affairs,
26, Mansingh Road,
Jaisalmer House,
New Delhi-110011