It is a valuable document for each person. It should always be either in your own custody or in the custody of a person duly authorized by you. Always keep photocopy of your valuable document in a secure place other than your original one.

Stolen /Lost passport

If your passport is lost or stolen or destroyed, the incident and facts should be reported to the nearest Indian Mission and to the local police as soon as possible.

Expired India passport

Remember your passport expiry date, and renew it promptly at least 6 months prior to expiry.

Does Indian Citizenship Law allow for Dual Citizenship?

No. It is illegal to carry Indian passport if you have become a citizen of another country. The holder of an Indian passport should therefore return his/her Indian passport to the nearest Indian Consulate/Embassy on becoming citizen of any other country.

I have an expired Indian passport and am in the US; where and how do I renew my expired India passport?
Expired passports can be renewed in one of the following Indian counsulate or embassies in the US.

	Embassy of India, Washington DC Jurisdiction: Delaware, Washington D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, The Bahamas.
	Consulate General of India, Chicago, IL Jurisdiction: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, N.Dakota, S.Dakota, Wisconsin, and Missouri
	Consulate General of India, San Francisco, CA Jurisdiction: Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Idaho, California.
	Consulate General of India, Houston, TX Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, Georgia

Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) - CARD

The Government has announced the launching of a PIO Card, which will allow visa free entry to India origin people living abroad and give them all the rights enjoyed by NRIs. Validity of new PIO card will be 15 years from the date of issue.

Documentation required for PIO card

	Completed Application Form
	Documents proving Indian origin
	Photographs- 4 (four) latest, front facing, 35 X 45 mm
	Application Fee; US $ 310.00 for adult and for children below the age of 18 years is US $ 155.00
	Old Indian passports and photocopies of all
	Original U.S passport
	Photocopies of both parent’s passport are required in case applicant never held Indian nationality. Photocopy of 2 documents as a proof of current US address (for example: Driver’s License/Telephone bill/Utility bill/lease agreement etc.)

Mail back charges (preferably $15 for return by overnight mail which is more reliable and safe. No self addressed envelope necessary. Payments can be made by way of money order, cashiers check or demand draft in favor of the Consulate General of India. Fees for PIO Card + mailing charges can be sent together through a single money order or cashier’s check. All documents should be mailed for processing to Indian Embassy or consulates. The processing time for PIO Card application is 15 business days from the date of receipt at the Embassy. The Card would be issued to eligible applicants through the concerned Indian Embassies/ High Commissions/ Consulates

Advantages of having PIO card

	A PIO Card holder shall not require a separate visa to visit India.
	A PIO Card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit does not exceed 180 days.
	In the event of continuous stay exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer.