Why Do NRIs Need a PAN Card?
An NRI must have a PAN card in the following situations:
- When earning a taxable income in India.
- To trade in shares, either through a depository or broker.
- For investing in mutual funds.
- To purchase land or any other property in India, except for trading purposes.
Documents required to Apply for NRI PAN Card
When applying for a PAN card, an NRI must provide a copy of their passport as proof of identity. Additionally, one of the following documents is required as proof of address:
- A copy of the passport
- A copy of the bank account statement from their country of residence
- A copy of the NRE bank account statement (showing at least two transactions within the last six months and duly attested by the Indian Embassy, Consular Office, High Commission, Apostille, or the bank manager where the account is held. The applicant can also be a joint account holder).
Steps for NRIs to Apply for a PAN Card
NRIs who are Indian citizens should use Form 49A to apply for a PAN card. Those with foreign citizenship, including OCI holders, individuals of Indian origin with foreign citizenship, or foreigners not of Indian origin, must use Form 49AA.
Applications for a PAN card can be submitted both online and offline. For online applications, visit the official websites of TIN-Protean eGov Technologies Limited (formerly NSDL) or UTIITSL. For offline applications, complete the application form and submit it with the necessary documents and application fee at the nearest UTIITSL or Protean (formerly NSDL eGov) PAN application center.
If you require a physical PAN card, a fee of ₹107 applies if the communication address is within India, and ₹1,017 if the address is outside India. These fees apply when submitting documents physically, whether applying online or at a PAN center. To learn about PAN card fees and charges under different circumstances, click here.
After making the payment, you can track the status of your application using the acknowledgment number provided.
Procedure for Payment
For Communication Addresses within India:
- Processing Fee: ₹107 (including taxes)
- Payment Methods: Debit card, credit card, demand draft (DD), or net banking
For Communication Addresses Outside India:
- Processing Fee: ₹1,017 (including taxes), covering PAN application fees, taxes, and postage
- Payment Methods: Debit card, credit card, or demand draft (DD). If paying by DD, it must be drawn in favor of “Protean eGov Technologies Limited-PAN” payable at Mumbai/UTIITSL. Note: Foreign credit cards are not accepted.
Currently, this service is available for 105 countries. The list of eligible countries can be found on the official NSDL website.
Submitting the Form, Supporting Documents, and Demand Draft:
- Mailing Instructions: Mention “APPLICATION FOR PAN-N-Acknowledgement Number” on the envelope.
- Mailing Address:
- Protean eGov Technologies Limited TIN Head Office
Times Tower, 1st Floor, Kamala Mills Compound,
Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, PIN – 400013.
- Protean eGov Technologies Limited TIN Head Office
- Alternatively, for applications through UTIITSL, send the completed form to the nearest UTIITSL center. Locate the nearest UTIITSL center here.
Once processed, the PAN will be generated and dispatched to the applicant’s residential address. Contact us to get your PAN card.
Do’s and Don’ts while filing PAN application form
Do’s
- When applying offline, always fill out the application form using black ink. Ensure that all details are written in clear block letters.
- Sign only within the designated box and avoid signing across the photograph.
- Verify and provide the correct AO code.
- Submit accurate proof of identity and address.
- Ensure the details on your proof of identity (POI) and proof of address (POA) match the information on the application.
- For minors applying for a PAN, their representative must submit the POI and POA on their behalf.
Don’ts
- Avoid overwriting or making corrections on the application form.
- Do not staple or pin your photograph to the application; use proper adhesive to attach it.
- When signing the application, do not include the date or place beneath your signature.
- Do not enter your husband’s name in the father’s name column.
- Avoid applying for a PAN card if you already possess one.