Update PAN Card – NRI OCI Overseas Indian

by Whytecroft Ford | Jan 19, 2023 | Indian Law, Indian Law Weekly Round-Up, NRI Legal Services, OCI, PAN, Power of Attorney, Taxation

In this segment we discuss holding an existing PAN card and how to update PAN card as an Overseas Citizen.

The Indian PAN Card contrary to some understanding has been in place since 1972.

Today in 2023 it plays an integral role in the financial infrastructure of India. It is only in the recent few years that the awareness of PAN has become more known.

If you hold an existing PAN, now and again you may require updating your details. Specifically amongst the Overseas Indian diaspora the application of PAN has become prominent due to property financial transactions.

Alternatively, if you are yet to apply for your PAN card as an Overseas Indian you may wish to read our other segments such as; Form 49AA, Avoid mistakes.

Firstly, in this article we look at any difference(s) between the old PAN card format and the current format.

Update PAN Card - NRI OCI Overseas Indian — Update PAN Card – NRI OCI Overseas Indian

Format Then & Now – Update PAN Card

If your PAN card is more than 10 years old, you may find that the format is somewhat different compared to the current PAN card format. Specifically, the current PAN format is more digitized.

In some cases the older versions of PAN have previously been in black and white. Whereas the current PAN format is coloured and digitized.

Detailed below you will find a list of information that is displayed on the current version of PAN card. We look at the information that is displayed on the front of a current PAN card.

Front of PAN Card Information

Income Tax Department – Government of India Stamp
Your Permanent Account Number
A Barcode
Your Name
Your Father or Mothers Name
Your date of birth
Your Signature
Your PAN photograph in digital
A hologram

The above information would appear on your physical PAN Card as well as your e-PAN Card. Your full address does not appear on the front of the current PAN format.

Types of Changes – Update Or Correction

There may be a number of reasons why you require to – update PAN Card. Or make changes to your existing PAN Card.

For example, your personal details such as your primary correspondence address may change over time.

Or perhaps a correction needs to be made such as, fathers name or date of birth for example. In the older versions of PAN due to an older format sometimes mistakes could have been made in your PAN.

Changes/correction in name; your name, fathers name, mothers name.
Change/correction of primary correspondence address or other address.
Update/Expand/Spelling initials in name.
Photograph mismatch
Signature mismatch
Cancellation of more than one PAN issued on error.
Name change – married name.

Despite the reason for requesting a change or correction to your existing PAN, you must provide supporting documents. It is on the basis of the acceptable list of supporting documents that your request will be processed.

Next we consider some reasons why you may need to – update PAN Card.

Reasons Why – Update PAN Card

In this paragraph, we will consider some reasons why you may need to update your existing PAN card. Firstly, you may have changed your name and your PAN has not been updated. For example a married name. Secondly, your existing PAN may contain an old address that could be a correspondence or other address. In such cases PAN would also need to be updated. Another example would be, you have Indian property matters in process and your existing PAN has not been updated. It would be recommended to have your PAN updated as soon as possible.

Does PAN Change When Updated

As per the guidelines provided by Government of India, when a request for updating an existing PAN card is made, it does not issue a new PAN. Therefore this process would only update the details of your existing PAN as per the application made.

Supporting Documents

The acceptable list of supporting documents required to update your existing PAN are detailed on depositary guidelines. As well as providing proof of identification and proof of address, a copy of your existing PAN will also be required. Visit the official depositary site for further details.

Where you are able to do so, you can apply for an update to your PAN card directly using the depositary yourself. If you are unable to do so you may consider application assistance.

PAN Photographs

You will require x2 recent coloured photographs that are of the specified dimensions;

3.5 cm x 2.5 cm

Common Understanding of Process

Contrary to common understanding, in a previous article we discussed the popular Moniker – NRI used for an Overseas Indian despite one’s Citizenship status.

Similarly, in this segment, the common understanding of how to update PAN Card is contrary to general understanding. Below we detail, how to update your existing PAN.

The process is similar to applying for a new PAN with added requirements. In brief we discuss this below.

How to Update PAN Card

There are two officially appointed companies that have been approved by Income Tax Department, Government of India.

These are also known as ‘depositary’ they are; Protean eGov and UTIITSL.

To update an existing PAN card you will need to follow the guidelines set out. In short here are some of the steps you need to follow;

Select a preferred portal (depositary) between the two.
Follow the set guidelines for Overseas Indian Update PAN (49AA).
Ensure you have the relevant supporting documents as per the acceptable list.
Once ready to apply to update your PAN, you would select the option that states; Changes or Correction in existing PAN Data. (Protean eGov example).
Continue with the steps thereon.

Estimated Time Frame

There are three stages to the estimated time frame in receiving your updated PAN.

Firstly, reading and understanding the set parameters before you begin. You would also need to ensure that you have all necessary supporting documents as per the list of acceptable documents set out on the portal. This may take anywhere between 1-5 days.

Secondly, apply online and go through the steps to prepare and submit your application. This may take between 1-5 days depending on you.

Thirdly, the actual processing time by the depositary is estimated between 10-15 days. On some occasions it can be 15-20 days. This time frame would apply once your application has been received by them.

During this time, you may also receive an E-PAN which is a copy of your updated physical PAN in electronic format. The updated physical PAN would arrive at your primary correspondence address.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will I need to provide a copy of my existing PAN for making an application to update my PAN?

Yes, a copy of your existing PAN would be required as per the list of supporting documents.

My name is not shown in full on my bank statement. It is abbreviated. Will this be accepted as per supporting documents for POA?

No. If you are providing a bank statement for proof of address and your name is abbreviated your application will be rejected. You will need to provide a bank statement with your full name or an alternative document for POA.

How will I select the update that I require to make on my existing PAN on the application?

Tick the column where change is required.

I have Indian property matters already in process. I wish to update my PAN. Will this interfere with any ongoing process?

If you have been asked to update your PAN you must do so to avoid any error at a later date. The Permanent Account Number would not change therefore the existing PAN can be used until you receive the new format.