The terms Non-Resident Indian (NRI) and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) are used to describe individuals of Indian birth or descent who live outside the republic of India
Despite this commonality between them, the two terms are fundamentally different from one another.
An NRI is an Indian who is a resident in a foreign country.
A Person of Indian Origin is a designation assigned to foreign nationals with the exception of those belonging to except a national of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and/or Nepal.
| Difference Between Non-Resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin | |
| Non-Resident Indian (NRI) | Person of Indian Origin (PIO) |
| Non-Resident Indian are referred to as Indian Diaspora, are the people of Indian birth or descent living outside the Republic of India. | The Persons of Indian Origin are also referred to as Overseas Indians. The following criteria needs to fulfilled for a PIO designation: A PIO at any time held an Indian passport Either of their parents/grandparents/great-grandparents were born and permanently resident in India as defined in Government of India Act, 1935 He/she is a spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO. |
| As per the data by the Ministry of External Affairs there are about 30.8 million NRIs outside India. | Roughly the population of PIO is the same as NRIs or thought to be slightly higher than NRIs |
| To qualify as a resident Indian, an individual should have spent 182 days or more of a financial year in India, or stayed in India for 60 days or more in the year and for a period of 365 days or more in the 4 years preceding the relevant financial year | PIO cardholders do not need a visa if they wish to visit India for up to 15 years from the issuance of a PIO Card. They can stay for up to 180 days In India without registration to FRRO (Foreigner Regional Registration Office). |
| NRIs enjoy voting rights in India | PIO Card holders do not have voting rights in India |
| NRIs are eligible for public offices | PIO card holders are ineligible to hold public office in India |
| NRIs need not to take permission visit restricted places in India | PIO card holders need to take permission from the Foreigner Regional Registration Office visit restricted places in India |
What are the benefits of a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholder?
Apart from the fact that a PIO cardholder doesn’t need a visa to visit India, the holder also doesn’t require a student or employment visa to enjoy employment or academic opportunities in India. They are provided with separate immigration counters at all International airports.
Aishwarya Says:
I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.
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We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge