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This article gives a brief on how NRIs can apply for PAN card in India and the limitations of the beneficiary account in the absence of PAN.

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How Can NRIs Apply for PAN Card in India

Overview of PAN:-
Permanent account number is a unique identification code of a person’s financial transactions’ account. This number is used by Income Tax department of India as a reference to keep intact, the data related tothe tax payers’ financial transactions. PAN helps IT department to track the flow of finances from one establishment to the other, thereby help control tax evasion (non-payment of tax).
 
PAN and NRI:-
PAN is made mandatory by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) for an NRI who is willing to own a BO (beneficiary ownership) account of full power. People who do not have PAN can hold a BO account which is subject to limitations. NRIs willing to have an account in Indian bank to trade or transact in shares or equities in India, should mandatorily have a PAN card to gain a complete BO account. PAN is made mandatory to Non-resident Indians by income tax department for NRIs who are willing to purchase land or property in India.
 
Limitations in BO (beneficial ownership) account of an NRI in absence of PAN:-
The ownership of a BO account that is used for mutual funds and stock trading, in absence of PAN of NRIis subjected to limitations that are mentioned below.
  • Only credits in the form of corporate actions, demat of physical certificates are allowed into the BO account.
  • The account lasts only for 6 months and the NRI is required to produce PAN at bank before this period. If PAN is not produced to the depository participants (DPs), the DP will freeze the BO account.
  • Credits from secondary markets, primary markets or any Initial Public Offering are not available to this account.
  • Selling of securities underlying a limited extension BO account can be made only through certified brokers in stock exchange and cannot be sold directly.
 
PAN Card Application procedure:-
An application to PAN can be made online by following the procedure mentioned below.
  • Reach form 49A from UTITSL or Income tax India website.
  • Based on guide lines fill the application form with necessary photographs and all required information.
  • NRIs should mention the address of residence abroad and not any home town address in India.
  • Submit the form online and few printouts of acknowledgement are to be taken.
  • If any thumb impression is used in place of signature then it is to be attested by a gazetted officer with a signatory and also a seal.
  • bank demand draft of Rs.944 in favor of ‘N S D L PAN’ in Mumbai is to be taken.
  • One acknowledgement with photocopies of all necessary documents (those are signed by the applicant) is to be sent to NSDL PAN Office, Mumbai along with the DD.
  • The applicant can check status of PAN through incometaxindia.gov website.
 
Documents required for NRI PAN Card Application:-
1.  An identity proof in the form of a photocopy of passport
2.  A proof of address of current residence (foreign to India)
  • Photocopy of NRE bank account statement attested by Indian embassy or consulate or
  • Photocopy of passport or
  • Photocopy of foreign branch bank account 
Permanent Account Number helps financial governing bodies of India in holding data related to financial status of a NRI’s account. The entire process of trade, stock exchange, property purchase of an NRI in his homeland comes under the roof of Indian government.


  • Rajendra Bajetha:
    Want to know the procedure for applying PAN for an foreign citizen.

    Please help me.
    06-Sep-2016 03:43 PM
  • Rajesh:
    If any Indian Citizen becomes NRI and holds passport of other country, can he use the same PAN which he got when he was Indian citizen
    10-Feb-2016 12:28 AM
  • anandinarasimhan:
    can u plz tell whether a person can hold Indian as well as nri pan card?1671
    22-Mar-2013 11:06 PM
    • Raghavendra: you can hold both countries PAN cards at a time.
      08-Jul-2013 02:59 PM
  • lftekhar shaikh:
    hi, i am a nri living in Toronto i will be visiting India next week so please let me know what r the documents required for applying for pan card in India from Toronto Canada
    07-Jan-2013 11:11 AM
  • Vinay:
    How do I make payment in Rupees if I live in USA? Which conversion rate will I use ?
    17-Nov-2012 11:21 PM
  • Bhanu Dey:
    Sir, I wish to like to make PAN Card under your department for the others persons as per your norms will be follow then please send me your suitable positive reply for issue me the permission to receive myself PAN card application for the same making under your department . If it possible to issue this permission mentioned above please send an reply as early as possible.
    06-Nov-2012 09:35 PM
  • nagasri:
    Hi,
    I am working in Malaysia and holding following documents.
    1. Indian passport.
    2. bank account in Malaysia
    3. NRE account in India. Please let me know the procedure to get PAN card online and what is the delivery time to get it.
    30-Sep-2012 05:06 PM
  • Gurviner singh:
    pan card is very important in all persons life
    10-Jul-2012 01:06 PM
  • Satheesh:
    Thanks for the detailed information, very useful
    02-May-2012 01:07 AM