If you're a Non-Resident Indian looking to invest in India, open a bank account, or sell property, you'll need a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. This unique 10-digit alphanumeric identifier issued by the Income Tax Department is mandatory for most financial transactions in India.
Key Takeaway
Here's what you'll learn:
- Which PAN application form you need based on your citizenship status
- Step-by-step online application process from abroad
- Required documents with attestation guidelines
- Application fees and payment methods
- How to track your application status
What is PAN Card and Why Do NRIs Need It?
Definition of PAN Card
A PAN card is a laminated card containing a unique 10-character code issued by the Income Tax Department of India. It serves as a financial identifier for tax purposes and enables individuals to conduct various financial transactions across India.
Why NRIs Must Have PAN Card
Opening NRE/NRO Accounts: Banks require PAN to open NRE or NRO accounts for managing your finances.
Property Transactions: Buying or selling property worth over ₹10 lakh mandates PAN card quotation.
Investments: SEBI makes PAN mandatory for investing in Indian mutual funds and opening demat accounts.
Filing Tax Returns: If you earn income in India, you must file ITR using your PAN.
Business Operations: Acting as a director or partner in an Indian company requires PAN.
Loan Applications: Banks need PAN for processing home loans, personal loans, or business loans.
Who is Eligible to Apply for NRI PAN Card?
You qualify as an NRI if you live outside India for more than 182 days in a financial year or have moved abroad for employment or business.
Indian Citizens Living Abroad: Use Form 49A if you hold an Indian passport. You don't need an Aadhaar card for the application.
Foreign Citizens and OCIs/PIOs: Use Form 49AA if you hold a foreign passport, including Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO).
Form 49A vs Form 49AA - Which One Should You Use?
Use Form 49A if you hold an Indian passport, regardless of where you live. The form accepts both Indian and overseas addresses.
Use Form 49AA if you hold any foreign passport. OCI and PIO cardholders must use this form despite Indian origin.
The biggest mistake is OCI holders using Form 49A. Your current passport nationality, not your location, determines the correct form.
Documents Required for NRI PAN Card Application
For Indian Citizens (Form 49A)
Passport Copy: Submit clear scans of the first and last pages as proof of identity and date of birth.
Overseas Address Proof: Any of these work - overseas bank statement, utility bills (not older than 3 months), or foreign driver's license.
NRE/NRO Bank Statement: Must show at least two transactions in the last six months with attestation by bank manager, Indian Embassy, or High Commission.
Photographs: Two recent passport-size color photographs with white background.
For Foreign Citizens/OCIs (Form 49AA)
Along with the above documents, submit your OCI or PIO card copy. All documents require apostille certification or Indian consulate attestation.
Attestation by Country
USA: Get documents apostilled by your state's Secretary of State or visit the Indian consulate.
UK: Use the UK government's apostille service or Indian High Commission.
UAE: Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi or Consulate in Dubai provides attestation.
Canada, Australia, Singapore: Visit the nearest Indian High Commission for attestation.
How to Apply for PAN Card Online (Step-by-Step Process)
Step 1 - Choose Your Portal: Visit Protean eGov Technologies or UTIITSL. Both are government-approved portals.
Step 2 - Select the Correct Form: Click "Apply for New PAN" and choose Form 49A for Indian passport holders or Form 49AA for foreign passports.
Step 3 - Fill Personal Details: Enter your full name as on passport using capital letters. Provide date of birth, email, phone number with country code, and select "Non-Resident Indian" status. Enter the AO Code for international taxation (starts with "ADIT").
Step 4 - Upload Documents: Scan and upload passport, address proof, and photographs. Files should be under 1MB in JPG, JPEG, or PDF format.
Step 5 - Pay Application Fees: Pay ₹107 for Indian addresses or ₹994-₹1,011 for foreign addresses using credit card, debit card, or net banking.
Step 6 - Download Acknowledgment: Save your 15-digit acknowledgment number immediately. Print the acknowledgment receipt.
Step 7 - Send Physical Documents (if required): If e-KYC wasn't completed, print the acknowledgment, paste two photographs, and sign across the left photo with black ink. Write "APPLICATION FOR PAN" with your acknowledgment number on the envelope. Send within 15 days.
Step 8 - Track Your Application: Use your acknowledgment number on the portal's tracking page to monitor status.
PAN Card Fees for NRIs
Indian Address Delivery: ₹107 including GST for domestic dispatch.
Foreign Address Delivery: ₹994 to ₹1,011 including application fees, GST, and international courier charges.
e-PAN Only: Around ₹66 for digital PAN delivered via email.
Payment Methods: Credit/debit cards (2% processing fee may apply), net banking (if you have Indian account), or demand draft payable to "NSDL" or "UTIITSL".
Understanding AO Codes for NRI PAN Applications
The Assessing Officer (AO) Code identifies the tax jurisdiction handling your PAN application. NRIs must use AO codes starting with "ADIT" (Assistant Director of Income Tax) designated for international taxation.
Visit the Protean or UTIITSL website and use the AO code finder tool. Enter "Non-Resident Indian" to see applicable codes. If unsure, use the general international taxation code for major cities like Delhi or Mumbai.
How Long Does the PAN Application Process Take?
Online Submission: Instant with immediate acknowledgment number.
Document Verification: 7-10 working days after physical documents reach the processing center.
PAN Allotment: 4-5 working days after verification. You'll receive e-PAN via email.
Physical Card Dispatch: 2-3 days for printing. Domestic delivery takes 5-7 days, international delivery needs 10-15 days.
Total expected timeline is 15-20 working days from document submission to receiving your physical card.
How to Track Your NRI PAN Application
Your 15-digit acknowledgment number is your tracking ID. Visit the PAN tracking page on the portal where you applied and enter your acknowledgment number.
Status Messages:
- "Application Received": Documents pending or recently received
- "Under Processing": Documents being verified (7-10 days)
- "PAN Allotted": PAN number generated, e-PAN coming soon
- "Dispatched": Physical card sent to your address
If status shows errors like "Incomplete Application", check what documents are missing and resubmit. Contact customer support if status hasn't updated for more than 20 days.
Conclusion
Getting your PAN card as an NRI is essential for managing your financial interests in India. The process is straightforward when you use the correct form, prepare proper documents with attestation, and follow the online application steps carefully.
Remember to choose Form 49A if you hold an Indian passport or Form 49AA for foreign passports, pay the applicable fees based on your delivery address, and track your application using the acknowledgment number. Start your application today and unlock seamless access to Indian investments, property transactions, and capital gains management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for PAN card from USA without visiting India?
Yes, you can apply completely online from the USA. Submit your application through Protean or UTIITSL websites, pay the fees using an international card, and mail the signed documents to the India office. Your PAN card will be delivered to your US address. Many NRIs in the USA successfully get their PAN without traveling to India.
What is the difference between e-PAN and physical PAN card for NRIs?
e-PAN is a digital PDF version of your PAN card sent via email. It's legally valid for all purposes and arrives within 10 days. The physical PAN is a laminated card delivered to your address, which takes longer due to printing and shipping. Both contain the same PAN number and are equally valid for opening NRI accounts and financial transactions.
Do I need to link Aadhaar with my NRI PAN card?
No, NRIs are exempt from the Aadhaar-PAN linking requirement. If you've lived outside India for more than 182 days in a year, you don't need to link Aadhaar. However, if you return to India and become a resident, you'll need to complete the linking within the specified timeframe.
Can OCI cardholders apply for PAN using Form 49A?
No, OCI cardholders must use Form 49AA regardless of their Indian origin. The form selection depends on your current passport, not your background. Since OCI holders carry foreign passports, they fall under the foreign citizen category and must follow Form 49AA procedures with proper attestation.
What happens if my PAN application is rejected?
You'll receive an email explaining the rejection reason, typically document issues, name mismatch, or incorrect attestation. Review the specific problem mentioned in the email. You can reapply immediately after fixing the issues. There's no waiting period for reapplication, but you'll need to pay the fees again.
About the Author
By Prakash
CEO & Founder of InvestMates
Prakash is the CEO & Founder of InvestMates, a digital wealth management platform built for the global Indian community. With leadership experience at Microsoft, HCL, and Accenture across multiple countries, he witnessed firsthand challenges of managing cross-border wealth. Drawing from his expertise in engineering, product management, and business leadership, Prakash founded InvestMates to democratize financial planning and make professional wealth management accessible, affordable, and transparent for every global Indian.
