PAN (Permanent Account Number) Card is a 10-digit alphanumeric number that is issued in the form of a card by India’s Income Tax Department. A PAN card can be applied by Indian Nationals, Foreigners, Indian Entities, and Foreign Entities.

A PAN card allows the Income Tax Department to track all your financial transactions, this includes tax payments, TDS credits, TCS credits, return of income, transactions that exceed Rs. 50,000, and many more.

So basically, a PAN card is a required document that almost every person needs especially if you own a business and is frequently having money transactions.

Here are the documents foreign nationals need to bring with them while they apply for a PAN card:

 Mandatory PAN Card Requirement

These types of entities and people are required to have a PAN card:

• Taxpayers or persons who are required to furnish a return of income
• Any person or entity who owns a business or has a profession whose total sales exceed five lakh rupees annually
• When a person is having frequent transactions and receives or sends money that exceeds Rs. 50,000.

PAN Card for Foreign Nationals

Here are the documents a foreign national needs when he/she is applying for a PAN Card.

Documents Needed:

1. Original Copy and Photocopy of your Passport
2. Original Copy and Photocopy of your Indian Origin card
3. Original Copy and Photocopy of Overseas Citizenship of India Card that is issued by The Government of India
4. Copy of other national or citizenship Identification Number, Taxpayer Identification Number duly attested by “Apostille” by the Indian embassy in the country of origin of the applicant.

Residential Proof

1. Bank account statement
2. Credit card
3. Water and electricity bill
4. Ration card
5. Passport
6. Voter identity card
7. Driving license
8. Aadhaar card
9. Passport
10. Employer certificate
11. Matriculation certificate

Requirements for Foreign Nationals

If an individual is not a citizen of India, the address of the foreign national and the listed documents below needs to be notarized and apostiled by the Indian Embassy in their country of origin.

1. Copy of passport
2. Copy of Person of Indian Origin Card issued by Government of India
3. Copy of Overseas Citizen of India card issued by Government of India
4. Copy of other national or citizenship identification number or taxpayer identification number duly apostiled by the Indian embassy, high commission, or consulate in the country where the applicant is located
5. Copy of bank account statement in the country of residence
6. Driving license
7. Copy of registration certificate issued by the foreigner’s registration office showing an Indian address
8. Copy of visa granted and a copy of the appointment letter or contract from the Indian company, and the original certificate of Indian address issued by the employer

Usually, a PAN card is obtained by those foreign nationals who are going to work and start a business in India.