PIO allows free visa travel and gives several benefits to the card holder. It is guided by the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 and Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992.It states that Persons of Indian origin visiting India on a visa valid for 180 days must register at the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office. The PIO Card is aimed at increasing and facilitating the participation of non-resident Indians (or NRIs) in the development of their country, in simpler, easier, flexible and trouble-free ways.

A PIO card is valid for about 15 years from the date of issue subject to the validity of foreign passport. An application for issue of a PIO Card shall be made to an Indian Embassy or Consulate in the country/area where the applicant is ordinarily a resident.

• any person who at anytime has held an Indian passport
• he/she or his/her parents or grandparents who were born in and are permanently resident in India as defined by the government of India act, 1935.
• any person who is a spouse of a citizen of India or a Person of Indian Origin as mentioned above.
• nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and China do not qualify for a PIO card.

• No separate tourist visa, student visa or employment visa required for visiting India.
• Separate counters for immigration are provided to PIO Card holders at International airports in India.
• Registration, only if he/she stays in India for more than six months at a stretch.
• Facilities like those available to children of NRIs for getting admission to educational institutions in India including Medical Colleges, Engineering Colleges, Institutes of Technology, and Institutes of Management etc. under the general categories.
• Facilities available under the various housing schemes of LIC, State Governments and other Government agencies.