What is PAN

PAN is "Permanent Account Number". PAN Number is required in India to conduct high-value financial transactions in 2023, operate bank accounts with KYC, receive a salary, sell or buy a property, etc.

e-PAN is accepted as a valid proof of PAN by banks in India and also for property transactions.

How to get a PAN Card

Processing Time

Is it possible to get PAN Number in one day? There have been announcements in the past that PAN number will be issue in 24 hours. Have there been any NRI who lives outside India and have got PAN number in 24 hours?

The short answer is - NO. It is impossible for an applicant living outside India to get PAN Number that soon. The process involves sending signed documents with photographs for processing.

PAN officials in India need to scrutinize the ID documents and validate that the applicant never received a PAN number before. There are paper-work to scan the signature, photo, and create an electronic version of PAN card with digital signature.

Though PAN officials take utmost care in processing those documents, it is common to see applicants complaining the documents were damaged or lost at the facility. Considering the complex process and thousands of documents collected in a day, it is a great achievement from PAN officials to issue PAN number in 7 to 10 working days for almost every applicant.

For foreign applicants, the success rate is better when having an agent representing on their behalf. The agent will submit foreign applications in-person and liaise with PAN officials during every stage of processing.

International Customer Care

Residents of India apply directly through NSDL or UTI-ITSL. What about Non-Residents? When NSDL finds errors in application form or whenever NSDL has queries, the residents living in India can afford to visit PAN Office to respond to queries.

When applying directly to NSDL, overseas applicants will not come to know why their documents were rejected - (i) was it due to photo? (ii) signature at wrong place? (iii) was it because of incorrect proof documents?

Overseas applicants do not like the uncertainty and it is not feasible to visit NSDL office if and when application gets stuck in processing.

PAN Card Express provides professional services to overseas applicants and provides international customer care. PAN applicants receive international customer care and end-to-end professional services.

With professional support, overseas applicants avoid common issues such as incorrect details on the application form, lost documents in transit, spelling mistake, missing photo, possible duplicates, signatures at wrong places, etc.

Make changes on existing PAN?

Individuals who already have PAN number may need to update address, surname, or even date of birth. Applicants can also request for a reprint of PAN Card if they lost the old card, or if the photo on the card is damaged.

The changes can be requested through separate application proces. Foreign companies can also request to change details with PAN database.

Applicant must know their PAN Number to request for changes. Without PAN Number, there is no way to request for changes or reprint of PAN Card.

Apply PAN Changes (Form CSF)

Apply as Foreign Citizen

Foreign Citizens can obtain a PAN number from India in a faster time and with minimum documents. Can OCI get PAN Card? Yes, Overseas Citizens of India can get PAN numbers from India. Foreign nationals benefit from International customer service for their application. Foreign citizens and OCI need PAN for India bank accounts.

If the applicant has a valid India visa or OCI, there is no need to obtain a notary or apostille.

Apply PAN Card (Form 49AA - Foreign Citizen)

PAN Card for NRI

Non-Resident Indian (NRI), who are India Citizens can get PAN Number by applying PAN Card for NRI. Only photocopies of the applicant's India passport along with proof of address is required.

The passport must be valid at the time of application. Aadhaar is not required to apply for PAN Card as an NRI.

Apply PAN Card (Form 49A - India Citizen)

Foreign Business / Company

Companies and all types of business firms registered outside of India can get their PAN Number. Foreign company does not need to have a local presence in India. Expert assistance is available throughout the application process.

When Foreign Organizations receive payment from India against an invoice, payer in India may deduct taxes at source (TDS). Deductor will deposit such withheld taxes directly to the Income Tax Department of India by quoting PAN Number of the Foreign Company. Subsequently, the foreign company may need to claim back the deducted tax amount by filing returns to Income Tax Department of India.

Without a PAN Number, foreign companies could face deductions at a higher percentage rate. International companies furnish a corporate PAN number to manage taxes withheld & get invoices paid.

Apply New PAN (Form 49AA for Business)

Business may need a change in name due to merger or acquisitions. When a business has relocated, it is important to update the current address on ITD records. Foreign companies who already have PAN number may request to update address or name.

Apply PAN Changes (Form CSF for Business)

Photo for PAN Card

Individual applicants are required to paste two passport-sized photographs on the PAN Application form. Passport photo sizes are different across countries. Accepted photos sizes (1) 35mm x 35mm or (2) 50mm x 50mm or (3) 25mm x 35mm.

Take following precautions when pasting photos on the application form:

• Photo 1: Pasted on top right side of the application form must not flow into the box provided for applicant signature.
• Photo 2: Pasted on top left side of the application form must not cover or block the AO Code mentioned.

The photo can have a matte or glossy finish. Use photographs obtained from a local photo center, kiosks, Costco, Walgreens, or other photo studios. Applicants must avoid using ordinary printer paper to print at home.

Business or Company PAN Card applicants do not need to provide any photo. Use the company's seal or rubber stamp.

Documents required for PAN Card

Individual Applicants must provide supporting documents to establish - (1) Proof of Identity and (2) Proof of Address

Company Applicants will need to provide the Certificate of Incorporation and a proof of address for the business firm.

Applicants must avoid submitting originals and use only photocopies for supporting documents along with PAN Card Application.

Fees for PAN Card

Applicants make a one-time payment during application. The price list is published online for NRI, OCI, and Business firms.

Price already includes government fees, consultation charges, and also the international delivery of PAN Card to all countries - including USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, UAE, Netherlands, etc.

^*Applicants in USA or Canada have option to send signed documents to New Jersey for an additional fee.

Change of mind before submission of documents to PAN Officials? No problem, a fair refund policy provides coverage to all applicants.

Track PAN Status

The applicant will receive an acknowledgment number after the submission of PAN application documents. Use coupon number to track PAN Card status online directly with PAN Officials.

It's simple to locate the PAN application and track the status online. Additionally, the customer care team sends updates to applicants by e-mail for every milestone.

Digital Signature for Foreign Citizen / Foreign Company

Using paperless process, it is now possible to buy Digital Signature by a Foreign Citizen / Foreign Company. Unlike PAN Application, there is no need to send documents by post for Digital Signature.

We help Foreign Citizens and Foreign Companies get DSC from India. We are authorized Registration Authority / Partner to sell eMudhra Digital Signature. Contact us for your DSC requirements.

What is PAN Card / Number