PAN Card For NRIs: How To Apply And Track Status Of NRI PAN Card?

Pan Card

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.

Also read: List Of Financial Transactions That Require A PAN Card

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

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.

Also read: PAN Card Migration: What Is It And How To Do It?

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. 

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.

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 on NRI PAN Card

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This article has been prepared on the basis of internal data, publicly available information and other sources believed to be reliable. The information contained in this article is for general purposes only and not a complete disclosure of every material fact. It should not be construed as investment advice to any party. The article does not warrant the completeness or accuracy of the information, and disclaims all liabilities, losses and damages arising out of the use of this information. Readers shall be fully liable/responsible for any decision taken on the basis of this article.