Q380. Is Foreign Wife of Indian Citizen Eligibility for PIO Card?

Question: Dear Sir, I am an Indian passport holder living in UK on ILR. My wife is a British citizen of India origin. We are thinking of moving to India for good. Can she apply for PIO through my Indian passport? I was told by someone that her to apply for PIO, I need to change my passport to British, then only she can apply through my Indian origin. Is this true? Please guide & help. Regards, Kumar

Answer: There is no need for you to acquire British Citizen so that your wife can apply for a PIO card. If your wife is of Indian origin, as you mention in your email, she can apply on her own merit. Furthermore, a foreign spouse of a Indian citizen is qualified to apply for a PIO Card. The only restriction here is that the foreign spouse should not have previously held the citizenship of any of the following countries: 1. Pakistan, Bangladesh 2. Sri Lanka 3. Bhutan 4. Afghanistan 5. China 6. Nepal.