FAQS

About PAN Card

What is an NRI?

Non-Resident Indian is someone living in India for more than 182 days in a specific tax year is considered as an Indian resident and that person needs to file a tax return to the Indian Department of Revenue. It only applies if you’re earning a certain level of income that is subject to taxation.

Now, there are many circumstances why you could be considered an NRI. But in the end, it comes down to a simple and basic principle. Are you an Indian citizen who spent more than 182 days outside the borders of India within a specific tax year or not? If so, you are an NRI for that tax year. And you should definitely consider the importance of getting a PAN card.

Who should apply for PAN Card?

Anyone, who earns taxable income which includes foreign nationals and pays taxes is eligible for PAN card. In addition to that, persons having retail business, services or consultancy with total sales business and a turnover exceeding Rs 5 lac in the previous financial year should apply for a PAN card.
  • Can minors also apply for a PAN card?
    According to section 160 of IT Act, 1961 a non-resident, minor, lunatic, idiot, and the court of wards and such other persons may be represented through a Representative Assessee. For such cases, an application for PAN will be made by Representative Assessee.

Foreign citizens can apply for a PAN Card?

Being a foreign citizen, if you are planning to run a business or invest in India then you better apply for a PAN card. The procedure for PAN cards has been made the same for foreign citizens as well. There is only one thing that makes this procedure different for foreign citizens, Form 49AA. Foreign citizens should be filled using a Form 49AA, which is specially made for them. The completely filled-out form should be presented to an authorized PAN Service Centre through the foreign applicant’s authorized representative which is based in India.

Foreign citizens can apply for PAN card online as service centers are only available in India. They can use their credit cards to pay their fees online, but only if they have Indian based credit cards.

What is form 49A?

A form filled for applying for PAN card in case of Indian Citizen/ Indian Companies/ Entities incorporated in India/ Unincorporated entities formed in India is known as “Form 49A”.

How to apply for change or correction in PAN Card?

To apply for a change or correction in PAN card, following documents needs to be submitted along with the form of changes in PAN Card:
  • Proof of PAN Card
  • Identity proof
  • Address proof
  • Date of birth Proof
  • Proof in support of changes required
Procedure to apply for a change in PAN Card:
The Applicant needs to fill the online application form known as Composite Service Form and make payment online. After that, you need to download the prefilled application and affix photos and sign them. Lastly, the signed document and all supporting documents need to be sent by post or courier to the address provided.

It all shows that the Income Tax Department introduced a national, permanent and unique card which will help to monitor all financial transactions of taxpayers and high net worth individuals.

Can a person have more than one NRI PAN Card?

Having more than once PAN is against the law with a penalty of Rs. 10,000. A Person with more than one card should surrender unused PAN or action will be taken accordingly.
Application Process

How long does it take to get a PAN card?

After applying for a new PAN Card online or offline, it takes about 15 to 20 working days. If you want some correction or replacement of card then it may take around 30 to 40 working days. But it may vary depending upon the authority’s discretion and load.

How much time does it take to get PAN Number allotted for an NRI?

NRI PAN card applicants need to fill out an online application form and pay the fees online with the help of a credit or debit card. PayPal is also available for foreigners to pay the fees online without any hassle. After that, there are following subsequent steps:
  • Just to avoid any errors in the application form, applicants may have to send supporting documents online with proof of ID and address. It is done for preliminary validation purposes.
  • After the documents are in an arranged order, the applicant will be requested to print the application form, paste photo, sign the document and send this paperwork by post to Chennai address. Where your application will be taken care of.
  • For the applicant’s better experience, PAN status can be checked online with the help of the NSDL acknowledgment number / UTIITSL tracking coupon number that every applicant shall receive.
  • Mostly, PAN Number is allotted and available online in 5 to 10 working days. But within two working days of allotment, an ePAN card is emailed to the applicants.
  • PAN Card is printed on plastic and dispatched by registered post. It usually takes about two more weeks after allotment.

When to apply for a duplicate PAN card?

Duplicate PAN Card is a document that income tax department issues to the PAN holder when he loses, damages or misplaces his/her PAN card. It can be applied in the following situations:
  • Loss/Theft: People often carry their PAN cards in their wallets or pockets, it is possible to lose it when there is a theft of wallet or purse. It is the usual reason for multiple applications to the department in India.
  • Misplaced: Most of the time, people leave their card somewhere and then just forget where they placed it.
  • Damaged: If the card is damaged due to any reason, reprinting the existing PAN card is the only solution for that.
  • Change in information: For any sort of changes in information such as signature, name of the father, date of birth, etc. We are left with only one solution, to change it and reprint the card with the correct information.

How to apply for a duplicate PAN card?

It has been made very easy and simple to get a duplicate PAN card. The application can be filed on the official website. If you want to apply in paper form, it has to be addressed to the PAN services unit of NSDL. But the online application of duplicate card saves a lot of time as well as cost.

How to apply for a new NRI PAN Card?

Only Non-Resident Indian Citizen, who has neither applied for a Permanent Account Number nor have a PAN allotted to him can apply for a new NRI PAN Card.

The complete procedure to apply for a new NRI PAN Card
Following are the main steps to apply for a new NRI PAN Card
  • You need to fill an online application form for a New NRI PAN Card
  • There will be a need to make a payment online using a Credit or Debit card. It can also be done by using PayPal
  • There will be an E-Validation done for your documents. For that purpose, you need to upload copies of the document from your dashboard.
  • Lastly, enclose the self-attested proofs along with the application and send it.

What document is required as proof of identity in the case of individual applicants, including minors for new NRI PAN application using form 49A?
Following document is accepted as proof of identity:
  1. Passport
What documents will serve as proof of address for individual applicants, including minors for new NRI PAN application using form 49A?
Following documents are accepted as proof of address:
  1. Passport
  2. Bank account statement in the country of residence
  3. Non-resident External bank account statement in India
What documents will serve as proof of date of birth for individual applicants, including minors for new NRI PAN application using form 49A?
Following documents are accepted as proof of date of birth:
  1. Affidavit sworn before a Magistrate stating the date of birth
  2. Birth Certificate
  3. Domicile Certificate issued by the Government
  4. Driving License
  5. Marriage Certificate issued by Registrar of Marriages
  6. Matriculation Certificate
  7. Passport
  8. Pension Payment Order
How will the new NRI PAN card be delivered to me?
The new NRI PAN card will be delivered to the same address mentioned by the applicant on the application form.

Eligibility Criteria and Documents requirements for Foreign Citizens/ Entities

Form 49AA is used to apply for a PAN card for Foreign citizens/entities. There are some basic eligibility criteria to obtain a PAN card:
  • Foreign citizens who intend to do any financial transaction in India must get a PAN card. A valid ID, address and proof of date of birth is required to submit a request.

Proof of Identity
  • A passport/PIO card/OCI card is required
  • Taxpayer Identification Number or Citizenship Identification Number attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or High Commission or Indian Embassy.

Proof of Address
  • Passport/PIO/OCI is required
  • Taxpayer Identification Number or Citizenship Identification Number attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or High Commission or Indian Embassy.
  • Bank statement of accounts
  • Certificates showing the residence status in India

For Foreigners:
  • Foreigners can apply by submitting the below documents along with PAN Form 49AA.
  • A photocopy of Registration certificate issued by the country where the entities are situated duly attested by the Ministry of External Affairs/High Commission/Indian Embassy.
  • Copy of Registration Certificate obtained in India or approval obtained from Indian authorities to set up a branch office in India