Apply for PAN Card for NRIs: Documents Required and Track Status
Did you know that NRIs can apply for a PAN card? They can do so by applying online via NSDL (National Securities Depositories Limited) or UTIITSL’s (UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Limited) website. Now let us look into the details of NRI PAN cards, required documents and application process.
Are PAN Cards Mandatory for NRIs?
Anyone with a source of income in India needs to have a PAN card for income tax purposes. So, if you live abroad but earn income from property rent, share dividends or returns from a mutual fund, you need to file taxes; and to file taxes you would need a PAN card. Even if you do not have a PAN card, it would still help to have a PAN card for investment purposes.
It is compulsory to quote your PAN card for reasons, such as the following:
- Opening a Demat account
- Purchasing a motor vehicle (except two-wheelers)
- Paying an amount over Rs. 50,000 towards mutual funds, bonds, debentures, life insurance premiums or deposits of cash in a single day.
- Making a transaction of securities worth over Rs. 1,00,000 (except shares)
- Sale or purchase of any immovable property for over Rs. 10,00,000.
NRI PAN Card Requirements
Any NRI would need a PAN card if they fall under these criteria:
- Any NRI with a taxable income in India should have a PAN card.
- If they want to open an NRO or NRE account.
- Any NRI without a PAN card cannot do share trading through registered brokers in India.
- It is also mandatory for purchasing real estate in the country.
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Benefits of getting an NRI PAN Card
NRIs can avail a number of benefits if they get an NRI PAN card. Some of them are listed below:
- NRIs can enjoy a simplified tax-paying procedure if they have an NRI PAN card.
- NRIs who want to purchase a house or car in India can easily do so by submitting their PAN card during the transaction.
- An NRI PAN card will let NRIs invest in mutual funds and securities in India.
- Having an NRI PAN card simplifies the KYC procedure for NRIs who wish to open or update a bank account in India.
- NRIs can deposit large sums of money into an Indian bank account by submitting their NRI PAN card.
Documents Required for NRI PAN Card
Besides proofs of identity, address and date of birth, NRI have to provide the following additional documents for PAN card application:
- All NRIs need a copy of their passport as proof of identity.
- For proof of address, they can submit their copy of passport, bank account statement (in the country of residence) or NRE bank account statement.
- Two recent passport size photographs
- For PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) and OCI (Overseas Citizens of India), a copy of their PIO card/OCI card.
- For minor applicants, proof of identity and the residential address of parents/guardians will be enough.
The following are the basic documents everyone must submit to apply for an NRI PAN card.
- Identity Proof: Aadhaar card, passport, driving licence, voter ID card, ration card, pensioner card, CGHS card, bank certificate on a letterhead etc.
- Date of Birth Proof: Voter ID card, driving licence, passport, Aadhaar card, birth certificate, mark sheet from a recognised board, etc.
- Proof of Residential Address: Aadhaar card, passport, Voter ID card, electricity bill, water bill, landline telephone bill, broadband connection bill, property registration document, latest property tax assessment order, etc.
An Overview of NRI PAN Card Application Procedure
The Income Tax Department has authorised NSDL and UTIITSL to issue PAN cards for NRI. Applicants can visit the official websites to start the application process. NRIs with Indian citizenship should apply using Form 49A, while those with foreign citizenship, PIOs and OCIs need to use Form 49AA.
Applicants can apply at TIN Facilitation Centres and PAN Service Centres at various places in the country. They can submit the NRI PAN card application form along with necessary documents and prescribed fees at these centres. NRIs can also apply for PAN cards online via the NSDL and UTIITSL’s official websites.
You will need to mandatorily provide Aadhaar numbers for the PAN application. Moreover, you will have to affix two coloured stamp sized photographs to the NRI PAN card application form. Designation and code of assessing officers must also be furnished.
How to Apply for NRI PAN Card Online
Follow the given steps to apply for a new PAN card via the official website of NSDL:
- Visit TIN NSDL official website
Visit the official website of TIN NSDL and from the ‘Services’ section click on PAN from the dropdown menu.
- Application for Allotment of New PAN (Form 49AA) – Applicable for Foreign Citizens
You would be redirected to another page. Scroll down to Application for allotment of New PAN (Form 49AA) – applicable for foreign citizens. Read the guidelines, instructions, do’s and don’ts, documents required, etc., and click on Apply.
- Select New PAN – Foreign Citizen (Form 49AA)
You will be redirected to the PAN card application page. Go to Application Type and select New PAN – Foreign Citizen (Form 49AA). Choose ‘Category’ as ‘Individual from the dropdown menu.
- Fill in Applicant Information
Fill in the mandatory fields with correct information. Select ‘No’ for the query ‘Whether Citizen of India?’. Once done, tick the acknowledgement checkbox, enter the CAPTCHA, and click ‘Submit’.
Note that the fee for the processing of PAN is Rs. 107 if the communication address is within India and Rs. 994 (Application fees +dispatch charges) if the communication address is outside India.
Once you have made the payment, you would receive your PAN card.
How to Apply for an NRI PAN Card via Offline Mode?
NRIs unable to access the online application form can opt to apply offline. Here are the steps to apply for an NRI PAN card through the offline mode:
- Step 1: Visit the nearest Income Tax PAN service centre. You can also visit TIN facilitation centres such as NSDL or UTI.
- Step 2: Collect the relevant application form from one of these centres.
- Step 3: After filling your details in the application form, sign it and attach all necessary documents along with a passport size photograph.
- Step 4: Submit the form and the documents at the same centre.
Things You Need to Remember before Applying for an NRI PAN Card
- You can provide a foreign address for residential and office addresses if you do not have a residence in India.
- When filling up a paper form, remember to write in black ink and in block letters.
- Make sure not to staple or pin photographs to the NRI PAN card application form.
- Do not make any corrections; avoid overwriting the physical form.
- Double-check the information provided in the form. Any misinformation would result in the rejection of your application.
- The name and address on documents provided for proof must be consistent with the information provided in the application form.
- When attaching your NRE bank account statement as address proof, ensure that it has at least two transactions in the previous six months. It also needs to be attested by the bank manager, Indian Embassy, consular office or high commission.
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How to Track NRI PAN Card Application Status?
There are three primary ways to track the status of your NRI PAN card application. They are as follows:
- Online: Individuals can track their application through the UTIITSL or NSDL portal by using their application coupon/acknowledgement number.
- Call: Applicants can call the TIN call centre on 020-27218080 and provide the 15-digit acknowledgement number of their PAN application.
- SMS Service: Individuals can send the 15-digit application number to 57575 to track their NRI PAN card status.
PAN Card Office Contact Details
Individuals can dial the following numbers if they have queries or grievances related to their NRI PAN card:
- Delhi: 011 23211262, 011 23211262, 01123211273, 01123211273, 01123211274, 01123211274, 01123211285, 01123211285, 01123211387, 01123211387
- Mumbai: 02267931300, 02267931302, 02267931303, 02267931304, 02267931301
- Chennai: 044 22500426, 044 22500183
- Kolkata: 033 22108959, 03322424774
Dos and Don’ts for NRI PAN Card Application Procedure
There are a few Dos and Don’ts that one should follow while filling out the application form for the NRI PAN card.
1. Dos
- Applicants should fill out the application form using black ink. The signature should be clearly visible.
- Provide the correct Assessing Officer code while submitting the Proof of Identity (POI) and Proof of Address (POA).
- In case of a minor NRI PAN card, his/her representatives need to deposit their POA and POI.
2. Don’ts
- Individuals should not overwrite or make corrections in their PAN card application. Avoid signing over the photograph.
- Avoid writing incorrect names/details in the designated sections of the forms.
Final Word
Non-resident Indians earning income from any source in India need to have a PAN card or NRI, regardless of their citizenship status. NRIs can apply for PAN cards online via NSDL or UTIITSL’s websites. It takes around 15 days from the application date to receive the physical card.
FAQs
Ans: You will need to send the acknowledgement slip to the following address along with photographs and relevant documents:
NSDL e-Gov Infrastructure Limited (Income Tax PAN Service Unit)
4th Floor, Mantri Sterling
Model Colony, Survey No. 997, Plot No. 341, Pune- 411016
Near Deep Bungalow Chowk
Ans: You should send the acknowledgement receipt with two stamp-sized colour photographs (3.5 x 2.5 cm). It should also include copies of documents for proof of identity, DOB and address. Put these in an envelope and write ‘Application for PAN’ along with the acknowledgement number on top of it.
Ans: The PAN card fee for NRIs depends on their communication address. For dispatch of the PAN card anywhere in India, Rs. 93 is charged, excluding Goods and Services Tax (GST). For a foreign communication address, the fee is Rs. 864 excluding GST.
Ans: NRIs with foreign citizenship need to furnish the following additional documents:
• PAN card details of the employer
• Appointment letter copy that the Indian Office has issued
• An authorised copy of the address certificate (from the Indian employer)
Ans: Note that there are no direct provisions to change citizenship status in your PAN card as it does not display this information. That said, you can still get this detail changed on NSDL’s official website.
Ans: There are no such alternatives to NRI PAN cards for non-residential Indians. They will require an NRI PAN card to invest in mutual funds or open/operate bank accounts that are based in India. Similarly, they will require the NRI PAN card to file income tax returns. However, NRIs can substitute PAN cards with Form 60 for opening an NRE and FCNR(B) account.
Ans: No, NRIs do not need to be physically present in India to apply for an NRI PAN card. Additionally, they are not even required to have a permanent address in India to avail of an NRI PAN card.
Ans: All persons, irrespective of their residential status, can possess only one PAN card. The Income Tax Department will charge a hefty penalty if they come across an individual who possesses two PAN cards. If you have just become an NRI, you need to change the status of your pre-existing PAN card.
Ans: Yes, NRIs have to update their existing PAN card by applying for a separate NRI PAN card. NRIs with Indian citizenship are required to fill out and submit Form 49A. NRIs who have foreign citizenship will need to fill out form 49AA.
Ans: To apply for a duplicate NRI PAN card via offline mode, you need to visit the NSDL and UTIITSL portals. Download the application form by selecting ‘Request for New PAN Card and Changes or Correction in PAN Data.’ Fill out the form and send it to the Income Tax PAN Services Unit.
To apply online, visit the official portal of TIN-NSDL. Under ‘Application Type’, select ‘Changes or Correction in Existing PAN Data/Reprint of PAN Card’ to proceed with your application.
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