NRIs - How to get a PAN Card from Abroad
Any Indian citizen or person of Indian origin who wants to invest in the Indian Stock Market has to get a PAN (Permanent Account Number) card. A PAN card has become mandatory for buying stocks, mutual funds as well as for conducting real estate transactions. Here are the best methods NRIs can get a PAN card from abroad. Please note that it might be easier to get a PAN card if you are visiting India.
Things You'll Need
- Proof Identity - Copy of Passport, PIO/OCI Card (if not an Indian Citizen)
- Proof of Address - Copy of recent bank statement showing your current address
- 2 Passport-size Photographs
Steps
There are two ways of getting a PAN Card while living abroad:
- Ask a Friend or Relative to apply for your PAN Card
- Apply through 3rd party Service Providers
Prepare your Proof of Identity and Proof of Address Documents
- If you are not an Indian Citizen, You will need to get your passport, PIO/OCI card and bank statement attested by the Indian Consulate. This is for Proof of Identity and Proof of Address.
- If you are an Indian Citizen living abroad then you only need to get your Passport and Bank Statement showing your current address, notarized.
Filling the Application Form
- Download the Application Form 49A
- Also review the Instructions for Filling the Form
- Since your relative or friend will be submitting this form do not fill out an Overseas Address in the address box.
- Paste a photo on the form and send a few additional copies.
- Sign in black ink in the designated spots on the form and additionally sign all supporting documents.
Send the application packet to your friend/relative. They can then submit the application at the local office along with the fees of Rs. 67. They can collect the PAN card and send it to you.
Apply through 3rd party Service Providers
Indian Income Tax authorities have allowed 3rd party service providers to facilitate the PAN application for NRIs. If you do not have a friend or relative whom you can trust with applying for a PAN card then it is advisable to go through a 3rd party agency to get a PAN card. This is because the Indian authorities will only accept a demand draft for R. 717 redeemable in Mumbai to process your application. This makes the Online PAN application facility quite useless to most NRIs.
The links below to 3rd party Service Providers are just a few of the many who can get you a PAN card.
Tips
- There seems to be a misconception amongst some that once you get a PAN card you must file a tax return every year in India. This is not true. Tax filing is required if you have taxable income in India.
- You do not need to send original passport or PIO/OCI cards to the Indian Consulate. Notarized copies are sufficient.
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Comments
Step 2 - Part A is
Step 2 - Part A is Incorrect.
The Indian High Comission Consular Services in London REFUSES to attest PIO Card's address page inspite of the original address proof documents (Bank Statement and Telephone Bill) provided. ***The address is exactly the same in PIO Card, Bank Statement and Telephone Bill***.
They INSIST in a strong tone that they would attest the photo page of a PIO Card ONLY and they consider the address page of a PIO Card as a foriegn document which sounds silly. They went on to say that it is their RULE to attest the photo page ONLY.
The solution provided by them is that, the address page copy of the PIO Card has to be notarized and then attested by Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO).
They also INSIST that they would ONLY attest the documents issued by them. So they DO NOT attest foreign passports or copy of Bank Statements.
So much to go through to pay tax!!!
Has any one went through a similar situation?
PAN for OCIs
I possess a PAN card while I was a tax payer living in India.
Since I do not live in India any longer & willing to apply for the citizenship of other country. At the same time, I wish to apply for OCI followed passport of another country, what do I do with my current PAN.
Should I surrender my PAN & How and re-apply for PAN after I receive OCI, please advice. (assuming, i'll invest in Indian stocks after OCI).
regards
Sunil
The Permanent Account Number
The Permanent Account Number becomes your permanent number with Indian Income-Tax Department till death and you will still retain it after you become a citizen of another country and later OCI. You can still keep the same PAN
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