Q628. How long can PIO card

holder stay in India . . .

Question: Sir/Madam, Myself Indian citizen (from Tamilnadu). I married to malaysian citizen (PIO card holder). We got registered our marriage at both India and Malaysia. We planned to settle down in India. 1) How to apply for ration card ? 2) Mentioned that PIO card holder can stay maximum 180 days. If need to stay more than 180 days in India with PIO card, what need to be done ? Aware that need to register in FRRO. But after registration, its valid for how long ? Please clarify my queries. Thanks in advance. Thanks & Regards hari prasath Answer: Regarding your two questions: 1. Once you are living in India permanently you should be able to apply for a ration card. To be eligible for a ration card the applicant must an Indian citizen and reside in the state where the application is filed. They should also not have a ration card in any other State in India. o The procedure to apply for a ration card in Tamil Nadu is to fill in the appropriate form, (click to see sample ration card application form) o The filled in form along with photo has to be submitted to the civil supplies office that deals with the area of your residence o Once application is submitted, normally in about a period of 2 weeks, a person from civil supplies office will come to your residence for verification to confirm whether you are staying in the mentioned address. o On completion of the verification process ration cards are usually ready in about two to three weeks time. 2. PIO cards are valid for 15 years and PIO card holder’s can stay in India as long as their PIO card is valid. The only condition being that they must register with the FRRO/FRO within 30 days of expiry of 180 days stay. o PIO card holders who plan on staying in India for more than 180 days, are required to register themselves only once and that is, the first time they stay beyond 180 days.