The PAN Card (Permanent Account Number) holds a 10-digit alphanumeric number issued by the Indian Income Tax Department to individuals, companies or Hindu Undivided Families (HUF).

You’ll need a PAN card to file tax returns in India, open an NRE or NRO savings bank account, buy property, apply for an NRI home loan, etc. Unlike Aadhaar regulations, NRIs are not exempted from getting a PAN card which could be a relatively easy process.

In this article, we explain how an NRI can apply for a PAN card or modify their PAN details.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for a PAN Card

Step 1: Fill In The Application Form Online

NRIs who are currently Indian citizens need a form known as Form-49A. On the other hand, Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) or People of Indian Origin (PIOs) who have citizenship of another country, need Form-49AA. You can apply either on the UTIITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Limited) or NSDL (National Securities Depository Limited) websites. Once you’ve filled in the form, it will need to be dispatched along with some important additional documents.

Step 2: Pay The Correct Fees

The fees depend on whether you want to have your card delivered in India or overseas. If your address is within India, then the fee will be Rs.110, whereas the fee is Rs.1,020, if your address is overseas. It’s inclusive of application fee and dispatch costs. You can pay the fees online using your credit card, debit card, net banking or by DD (Demand Draft). Check if your country is in the list of countries that are eligible for overseas dispatch. There may be additional fees applicable when paying with a debit or credit card and even net banking, please make sure that you have checked the website that you are applying through thoroughly.

Step 3: Download The Form And Attach The Correct Documents

Once you’ve filled out the form successfully and paid the fees, there are additional documents you will have to supply before dispatching it:

• Two recent photos pasted in the space provided in the form.
• A copy of identity proof which could be a Passport, or Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card issued by the government of India, or an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card, or a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).
• A copy of address proof which could be an Indian Passport, a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card, an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card, a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), a recent Bank account statement (it could be either a statement of a foreign bank account or NRE bank account) or a foreign residence permit.

For the detailed list of documents, click here.

Step 4: Dispatch The Form

Your signed application forms along with the required enclosures must arrive at address stipulated on or before the 15th day from the date of your online application. If you choose to pay the fee in the form of a DD (Demand Draft), then your PAN card will be issued only after the release of the funds.

Modifying Your PAN Card Details

To modify your PAN card details, you need to fill an online application form (called CSF Form). For more detailed information, you can check the FAQs here.

The whole process of applying or modifying a PAN card could be very simple if all the above-mentioned steps are followed correctly. If your process is right, you should get your new PAN in just 10 or 15 days.

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