BackToIndia
By countryCommunity
Join (FREE)Join Now (FREE)
BackToIndia

Built by NRIs who've made the move — for those about to.

A passion project by Mani Karthik — free for every NRI returning home.

Since 2017 - 31,000+ NRIs.

Product

  • R2I Planner
  • Insurance
  • Jobs for Returnees
  • Services
  • Checklist
  • WhatsApp Groups
  • Reviews
  • Recommendations
  • Meetings
  • Financial Consultation
  • City Questions

Community

  • About us
  • NRI community
  • Contact

Legal

  • Editorial policy
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of use
  • Data requests

BackToIndia is informational and community-driven. It is not legal, tax, immigration, or financial advice. Please consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.

Your data stays yours. We never sell personal information. See our privacy policy for details.

© 2017–2026 BackToIndia. All rights reserved.

Made with care for the NRI return community.

  1. Home
  2. Return to India: Decision & Planning
  3. Can NRI apply for PAN card – Step by Step Guide
Return to India: Decision & Planning
??
  1. 1Deciding
  2. 2Getting ready
  3. 3Making the move
  4. 4Life after landing

You're in the deciding phase — figuring out if, when and how a move back works for your family.

Start your Return Plan

Can NRI apply for PAN card – Step by Step Guide

Mani Karthik·December 5, 2022·Updated November 23, 2024·5 min read·Deciding

Reviewed by returnees. Cross-checked with RBI, Income Tax Department and MEA. Editorial policy.

Yes, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can apply for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) card. NRIs are required to submit certain documents and information in order to complete the application process.

The first step is to fill out an application form. This form can be downloaded from the website of the Income Tax Department. It is important to fill out the form accurately, as any incorrect information may lead to delays in processing the application.

Once the form is filled, it should be sent to the address mentioned on the form, along with necessary documents like passport and other proofs of identity and residence. The documents should also include a photocopy of the applicant’s Indian passport, if applicable.

Additionally, the applicant should provide copies of his/her overseas bank account statements, or other documents that prove the existence of an overseas bank account. The documents must be signed by a banker or bank official.

After the application and required documents are submitted, the applicant should receive the PAN card within a few weeks. It is important to note that NRIs cannot use their PAN card for any tax-related transactions in India until they have registered with the Indian tax department.

What are the documents required for NRI PAN Card?

A Non-Resident Indian (NRI) PAN Card is a card issued by the Indian government to Indians living outside the country. It is similar to a Permanent Account Number (PAN) issued to Indian citizens who are living in India.

An NRI PAN Card serves as an identity proof and is required for conducting any financial transaction in India.

The documents required to obtain an NRI PAN Card are as follows:

1. A copy of valid passport – This should include the photo page, address page, and visa page.

2. Proof of address – This should be a recent utility bill or a bank statement that shows the current address of the applicant.

3. Photo ID – This could be either a copy of the passport or a copy of any other valid government-issued photo ID.

4. Proof of Date of Birth – This should be a copy of any government-issued document such as a birth certificate, school leaving certificate, etc.

5. Proof of Indian Origin – This should be a copy of any document that proves the applicant’s Indian origin, such as a copy of the applicant’s Indian passport, OCI card, or PIO card.

6. Self-declaration form – This is a form that needs to be filled out and submitted along with the other documents.

7. Copy of PAN card – If the applicant already has a PAN card, then a copy of it needs to be provided.

These documents will have to be sent to the Indian Income Tax

Read next in this topic

Can NRI invest in RBI bonds

NRIs may be interested in investing their money in RBI bonds, which are government bonds issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Fortunately, NRIs are allowed to invest in RBI bonds, subject to certain conditions. Here’s how to. In order to invest in RBI bonds, NRIs must first obtain a “PAN” number. This is […]

Read next
Department along with the application form. Once all the documents have been reviewed and approved, the applicant will receive their NRI PAN Card.

Free tool

On The Fence? Get Clarity

Not sure about returning? Get your readiness score.

Try it free

Can a foreigner apply for PAN Card in India?

A PAN Card is a permanent account number issued by the Indian government to all taxpayers in India. It is a 10-digit alphanumeric code that is used for the purpose of tracking financial transactions.

A PAN Card is mandatory for any individual or entity that wants to conduct any financial transaction in India, including opening a bank account, filing taxes, or conducting any other business.

The good news is that a foreigner can apply for a PAN Card in India. In fact, the Indian government has made it possible for non-residents to obtain a PAN Card without any difficulty. The process for applying for a PAN Card for a foreign national is almost similar to the process for an Indian citizen.

In order to apply for a PAN Card as a foreign national, you will first need to fill out an application form.

This form can be obtained from the local office of the Income Tax Department or online from the official website of the department. Once the form is filled out, it must be sent along with the necessary documents and fees to the designated office.

The documents required for a foreign national to apply for a PAN Card include passport, visa, and proof of address.

The proof of address can be in the form of a utility bill, bank statement, or rent agreement. If the applicant does not have any such documents, then they may submit an affidavit of their current address.

Once all the documents are in place, the applicant needs to pay the fees and submit the application form.

Once the application is received, it will be processed by the Income Tax Department. If the application is found to be complete and correct, the PAN Card will be issued within a few weeks. The PAN Card will be sent to the applicant via post.

Free tool

NRI Status Checker

Find out your current NRI status and what it means for taxes.

Try it free

It is important to note that the PAN Card issued to a foreign national is valid only for the duration of their stay in India.

Once the foreign national leaves India, the PAN Card will become invalid and they will need to apply for a new one if they plan to return to India.

Keep reading
Can NRI sell an inherited property in IndiaIn India, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) are allowed to buy and sell property, including inherited property. However, there are certain legal requirements that must be met before the sale can be completed. The first step is to obtain a certificate of inheritance from the court. This is done by filing an application with the court in […]NRI Quota in Indian Colleges & IIT: Everything to Know“Can my son get into IIT through the NRI quota?” I get this question at least five times a week on our BacktoIndia WhatsApp groups. And the answer surprises most parents. IITs do not have an NRI quota. Let that sink in for a moment. Because this is the single biggest misconception among NRI parents […]

What is the cost for NRI PAN Card?

The cost for an NRI PAN Card is the same as that for other applicants. According to the Income Tax Department of India, the fee for a new PAN Card or for making any changes or corrections in an existing PAN Card is Rs. 107 (including taxes).

For NRI applicants, additional documents are required along with the PAN Card application form.

An NRI applicant needs to submit a photocopy of the passport and a document to prove the residential address in the foreign country. A copy of the foreign bank statement or a utility bill can be used as a proof of address.

The documents must be attested by the Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate in the country where the NRI resides.

Once the application is submitted with all the required documents, it takes around 15-20 days for the PAN Card to be processed and dispatched. The PAN Card is sent to the residential address provided in the application form.

If the application is made online, the PAN Card is delivered via courier to the address mentioned in the form.

Deciding → Getting ready

Ready for the getting ready stage?

Continue with our Banking guide.

Explore

For NRIs, the PAN Card delivery may take a bit longer than usual due to the additional documents that need to be verified and processed.

The PAN Card number will be communicated to the applicant via email or SMS once the application is approved.

Written by

Mani Karthik

Mani Karthik

Founder, BackToIndia · Returnee since 2016

Mani Karthik is an entrepreneur who moved back to India in 2016 after nearly a decade living and working in the US and the Middle East. He started BackToIndia to help other NRIs navigate the move — banking, taxes, schooling, careers and the everyday reality of resettling in India.

About BackToIndiaEditorial policyContactJoin the community

Rules for NRI banking, tax and residency change often. We update guides when policy or our lived experience changes. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice — always confirm with a qualified professional in India.

Free for NRIs

Get the Return to India Checklist, Planner & Tools

The exact playbook returnees use to move back without missing a step — built from real journeys, updated for 2026.

  • 12-month Return-to-India checklist
  • RNOR & tax residency planner
  • Banking, schooling & shipping trackers
Get it free

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.

Where to next

Continue Return to India: Decision & PlanningCan NRI invest in RBI bondsTrack it in the appStart your Return PlanSave your notes, timeline and decisions in one place.Ask other returneesJoin the Deciding communityReal Q&A with people at your stage of the move.
Laid off on H1B Visa? What to do next?Can NRI invest in RBI bonds