How to Get an Indian PAN Card as an NRI

Who Qualifies as an NRI for PAN Purposes?

For PAN Card application purposes, you are considered an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) if you are an Indian citizen who currently resides outside India, or if you hold an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) or PIO (Person of Indian Origin) card. This includes:

• Indian passport holders living abroad (USA, UK, Canada, UAE, Australia, Singapore, etc.)
• OCI cardholders who were previously Indian citizens
• PIOs with foreign citizenship but Indian heritage (apply on Form 49AA if not Indian citizen)
• Indian citizens working or studying abroad on H-1B, L-1, student visas, or permanent residency
• Indian citizens who have become foreign citizens but still have Indian financial interests

Before You Begin — Two Things to Check

1. Do you already have a PAN? Many NRIs were issued a PAN years ago when they lived in India and have since forgotten about it or lost the card. Having two PANs is illegal in India and can result in penalties. Before applying, search the Income Tax Department's PAN verification tool at the official NSDL portal or ask your chartered accountant in India to check under your name and date of birth.

2. Is your name consistent across all documents? The single most common reason for PAN rejections or mismatches is a difference in how your name appears on your passport versus bank records versus other documents. Decide which version of your name you will use on the PAN application and ensure your supporting documents reflect the same spelling and order (first, middle, last name).

Your Two Application Paths

Step-by-Step: Applying for a PAN Card as an NRI

1. 1

   Gather Your Documents First

   Before touching any application form, collect your documents. For most NRIs, this means:

   • Proof of Identity: A clear, legible color copy of your Indian passport (first page + last page showing address + visa/entry stamps page). For OCI holders, include the OCI booklet's first page.
   • Proof of Address: Your Indian passport works here too. Alternatively, a recent bank statement (less than 3 months old), utility bill, or OCI card showing your current overseas address.
   • Date of Birth Proof: Your passport covers this too. Alternatively, a birth certificate, SSC certificate, or marriage certificate (for name change).
   • Photograph: Two recent passport-size photographs (35mm × 45mm), color, white background, face clearly visible. Do not wear dark glasses.

   See the full Documents Required page for detailed specifications and acceptable alternatives.

2. 2

   Have Your Documents Attested (if applying directly)

   If you are applying through Path A (direct), copies of your identity and address documents must be attested — meaning an authorized person certifies that the copies are genuine. For NRIs abroad, acceptable attestation comes from:

   • The Indian Embassy or Consulate in your country
   • A Notary Public in your country of residence
   • An Apostille (for countries that are signatories to the Hague Convention, including the USA)
   • A manager of a scheduled bank branch in India (if you have contacts)

   Skip This Step with PAN Card Express: One of the biggest advantages of using an authorized intermediary is that they handle the attestation requirements and advise you precisely on what level of verification is needed for your specific documents and country of residence. This step alone saves many NRIs significant time and consulate visit hassles.
3. 3

   Fill Out Form 49A Online

   The online application for Form 49A is available at the official NSDL or UTIITSL portals. Key fields that NRIs must get exactly right:

   • Name: Use your name exactly as it appears on your Indian passport — not your common name or preferred spelling.
   • Father's Name: Required on the PAN. Use the name as it appears on official Indian documents.
   • Date of Birth: Must match passport exactly (DD/MM/YYYY format).
   • Address: Enter your current overseas address for correspondence. You may also optionally provide an Indian address.
   • Source of Income: Choose the most applicable option (salary, business, investment, etc.).
   • Email & Mobile: Provide an active email address — your e-PAN will be sent here.
4. 4

   Pay the Application Fee

   The fee varies based on your desired delivery address:

   Delivery Address	Fee (Approx. 2026)	Notes
   Indian address	₹107 (approx. $1.30 USD)	Most cost-effective; have it sent to family in India
   International / Foreign address	₹1,020 (approx. $12 USD)	Direct delivery to your overseas address

   Payment is accepted via credit/debit card, net banking, or demand draft. If applying through PAN Card Express, their service fee is separate from the government fee — but includes document review, error correction, and submission support.

5. 5

   Submit the Signed Acknowledgment + Documents

   After completing the online form and payment, you will receive a 15-digit acknowledgment number and a PDF form. Print this, sign it, affix your two photographs (do not staple — use glue), and mail it along with your attested document copies to the NSDL/UTIITSL processing center address provided.

   If applying via PAN Card Express, they will guide you on exactly what to send and where — or in many cases, handle the physical submission entirely on your behalf using their India-based support team.

   Pro Tip: Use a trackable courier service (FedEx, DHL, or UPS from the USA) to send your documents to India. Keep the tracking number. Documents sent by regular post can take 3–4 weeks to arrive and cannot be tracked.
6. 6

   Track Your Application

   Once your documents are received by NSDL/UTIITSL, your application moves into processing. You can track the status using your 15-digit acknowledgment number on the respective portal. Status updates include:

   • Documents Received — physical documents arrived at the processing center
   • Under Process — application is being reviewed
   • PAN Allotted — your PAN number has been assigned
   • e-PAN Dispatched — digital PAN sent to your registered email
   • Physical Card Dispatched — physical card shipped, with courier tracking details
7. 7

   Receive Your e-PAN

   Within 24–48 hours of PAN allotment, you will receive your e-PAN (a password-protected PDF) at your registered email address. The password to open the PDF is your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format (e.g., 15031965 for March 15, 1965).

   The e-PAN is legally valid and can be used immediately for KYC with banks, mutual funds, and other financial institutions in India. Save a copy in a secure cloud location.

8. 8

   Receive Your Physical PAN Card

   The physical PAN Card is typically dispatched within 15–20 business days from the date of PAN allotment. It will be mailed to the delivery address you provided during the application. If you opted for an Indian address, have a family member or trusted contact receive it and hold it securely until you can arrange collection or forwarding.

   Once you have your PAN Card, keep the original safe and make several color photocopies. Your PAN number itself is what you will use most often — it does not expire and never needs renewal.

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