A Smooth Guide To Getting Your Nri Pan Card

Non-resident Indians (NRIs) need a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card if they make any financial transactions in India. This includes receiving taxable income, opening a bank account, applying for a credit or debit card, investing in mutual funds, and buying or selling property or assets. The PAN card is a 10-digit alphanumeric identification code issued by the Indian Income Tax Department under the Central Board of Direct Taxes. It acts as a universal identification for all financial transactions above specified limits and is valid for the lifetime of the holder. NRIs can apply for a PAN card both online and offline, by submitting the required documents and paying the applicable fees.

Application forms and fees

The application process for a PAN card for NRIs can be done both online and offline. The online application can be made through the official website of TIN-Protean eGov Technologies Limited (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL. The offline application can be submitted at the nearest UTIITSL or Protean (formerly NSDL eGov) PAN application centre.

The application form for NRIs with Indian citizenship is Form 49A, while those with foreign citizenship, such as OCI cardholders or foreigners who are not of Indian origin, need to fill out Form 49AA.

The fees for the PAN card application vary depending on the communication address provided by the applicant. If the communication address is within India, the processing fee is Rs. 107 (including taxes). This can be paid using a debit or credit card, DD, or net banking. If the communication address is outside India, the fee is Rs. 1,017 (inclusive of taxes), which includes the PAN application fee, tax, and postage. This payment can only be made using a debit or credit card or by DD, drawn in favour of Protean eGov Technologies Limited-PAN payable at Mumbai/UTIITSL. Foreign credit cards are currently not accepted for these payments.

Required documents

To apply for a PAN card as a non-resident Indian (NRI), you will need to submit the following documents:

Identity Proof:

• A copy of your passport.
• Two recent passport-sized photographs.
• A copy of your PIO (Person of Indian Origin) or OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card.

Address Proof:

• Overseas address proof. This can be a copy of your passport or a copy of your bank account statement in the country of residence.
• Copy of your NRE (Non-Resident External) bank account statement, showing at least two transactions in the last six months. This statement must be duly attested by the Indian Embassy, Consular office, high commission, Apostille, or by the manager of the bank in which the account is held.

Other Documents:

• If you are a foreign citizen with an Indian office address, you will need to provide a copy of the appointment letter/contract from the Indian company.
• A certificate of address in India, issued by an authorised signatory of your employer on the company's letterhead, including the PAN of the employer.
• A copy of the employer's PAN card, as mentioned in the employer's certificate.

Please note that you will also need to fill out Form 49A and pay the processing fees, which vary depending on whether your communication address is within or outside India.

Online vs. offline application

Applying for a PAN card as an NRI can be done both online and offline. Here is a detailed comparison of the two methods:

Online Application Process:

• NRIs can apply for a PAN card online by visiting the official website of TIN-Protean eGov Technologies Limited (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL.
• On the online TIN portal, select "Apply Online" and choose the appropriate application form Form 49A for NRIs with Indian citizenship and Form 49AA for foreign citizens.
• Fill in the required details, including personal and address information, and submit the form.
• Upload essential documents, such as proof of identity and address, and a recent photograph.
• Make the payment using a debit or credit card, DD, or net banking. The fees vary depending on the applicant's address, with Rs. 107 for an address within India and Rs. 1,017 for an international address.
• After completing the application, an acknowledgement slip with a 15-digit number will be generated, which can be used to track the application status.
• The processing time for an online application is generally 15-20 working days, provided all documents are in order.

Offline Application Process:

• For an offline application, NRIs can visit their nearest IT PAN service centre or TIN facilitation centres like UTI or NSDL to obtain the appropriate application form (Form 49A or 49AA).
• Fill out the form using black ink, providing clear and accurate information, and attach relevant document copies, such as proof of identity and address.
• Submit the completed form, along with the required fees, which can be paid through a demand draft. The fees are the same as for the online application, depending on the communication address.
• An acknowledgement slip will be provided after submitting the application, which can be used to track the status.
• Similar to the online process, the offline application usually takes around 15-20 working days to process.

Both methods offer a convenient way for NRIs to apply for a PAN card, and the choice between online and offline depends on the applicant's preference and accessibility. The online method may be faster and more convenient for those who are comfortable using digital platforms, while the offline method may be more suitable for those who prefer in-person interactions or have limited access to the internet.

Tracking your application

Once you have submitted your application for a PAN card, there are several ways to track its status. Here are the steps you can follow:

Online Tracking

You can track your application status online through the UTIITSL or NSDL portal. To do this, you will need your application coupon/acknowledgement number. Visit the official websites of UTIITSL or NSDL and look for the "Track Status" or "Status Track" option. Enter your acknowledgement number to check the status of your application.

Telephone Enquiry

If you prefer, you can also track your application status by calling the TIN call centre at 020-27218080. Provide the customer service representative with your 15-digit acknowledgement number, and they will be able to update you on the status of your PAN card application.

SMS Service

Additionally, you can utilise the SMS service to track your application. Simply send an SMS with your 15-digit application number to 57575, and you will receive a response with your NRI PAN card status.

Contact PAN Card Offices

If you have further queries or concerns related to your NRI PAN card application, you can contact the PAN card offices in various cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The contact numbers for these offices are readily available online.

It is important to note that the processing time for an NRI PAN card application is typically around 15-20 working days, provided your documents and application are in order.

Application processing time

The processing time for a PAN card application for NRIs depends on the method of application. If you apply for an ePAN, you can receive a PAN number instantly. However, if you apply for a physical PAN card, the process can take longer.

For online applications, it may take up to 2 weeks or longer to receive your PAN card. The entire process, including printing and dispatching the physical card, can take about 15-20 working days, depending on the verification process and document accuracy.

After submitting the online application form and paying the fees, applicants will need to send supporting documents via email for preliminary validation. This step helps to avoid any reworks due to errors in the application form. Once the documents are confirmed to be in order, the applicant will be requested to print, sign, and send the application form along with the necessary documents by courier or registered post to the Chennai address.

Upon receiving the documents, the applicant will be provided with an NSDL acknowledgment number or a UTIITSL tracking coupon number to monitor the status of their application online. The PAN number will typically be allotted and available online within 5 to 10 working days. Within two days of allotment, the applicant will receive the ePAN card via email.

The final step is the printing and dispatch of the physical PAN card, which takes about another two weeks. Therefore, the total processing time for a PAN card application for NRIs can be approximately 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the chosen application method and the time taken for verification and document processing.

Frequently asked questions