Q682. Indian visa for German

citizen marrying NRI H-1B visa

holder in USA

Question: Hello Sir, I have a specific case I am unable to find a specific answer to. It would be very helpful if you could give at least some pointers. I am Indian citizen in the US on a work visa (H-1B). My fiance is a German citizen touring the US. We plan to get married in the US. What visa to India should she apply for once we are married, so that she can enter India freely and as many times as required and live there in case I move back to India? I read somewhere it is the Entry visa, and somewhere else it says PIO. I am confused. Can she enter India just with a PIO and no visa? Can the PIO be applied for her in the US without walkin appointments, just through mail? I appreciate all your help in this regard. Regards Neel Answer: First a clarification on the term PIO: • Commonly the term PIO is used in India to refer to ‘Persons of Indian Origin’ • PIO card, refers to a visa that is granted to persons of Indian origin who have acquired foreign citizenship. PIO card is actually a visa that is valid for 15 years from the date of issue of the PIO card. o PIO card (this type of visa) costs Rupees. 15,000/- or equivalent in local currency of the country where application is made. Once she marries you, based on your Indian origin, she could apply for a PIO card, as foreign spouse of a citizen of India is eligible to hold a PIO card. There are no walk in appointments for PIO card visa. Applications for PIO card are made by mailing in the required forms, documents and paying the appropriate fee. More information on the benefits of PIO cards and the application process are provided on this website, use the link provided to view the article: http://nriinformation.com/articles4/pio_card.htm