Can I apply for a duplicate PAN card if I don't remember my PAN number?

Yes. You can retrieve your PAN number from: Old ITR acknowledgments Bank statements (PAN is usually mentioned) Form 26AS on income tax portal Email from NSDL/UTITSL when you first got PAN Contact NSDL helpline: +91-20-27218080 If nothing works, email tininfo@nsdl.co.in with your name, father's name, and date of birth.

Do I need to file an FIR (police complaint) for lost PAN card?

No. Unlike passports, you don't need an FIR for lost PAN cards. Simply apply for a duplicate through NSDL or UTITSL.

Can I apply for a duplicate PAN if my name has changed after marriage?

Yes, but you'll need to select "Changes in existing PAN data" instead of simple reprint. Submit: Marriage certificate Passport with new name Previous PAN card (if available) The process is the same, but it's considered a "correction" rather than just a reprint.

My PAN card application was rejected. What should I do?

Common rejection reasons: Documents not clear or incomplete Name spelling mismatch Wrong form filled Check your email for rejection reason. Fix the issue and reapply. You can reuse the same payment details within 15 days.

Can I apply for a duplicate PAN card while my original one is still valid?

Yes. You might want a reprint if: Your card is old and worn out Photo is faded You want better quality print You're moving and want a spare copy The process is identical. Select "Reprint of PAN card (No changes in existing data)."

How is a duplicate PAN card different from a new PAN application?

Duplicate PAN: Same PAN number, new card (when lost/damaged) New PAN: Brand new PAN number (for someone who never had PAN) NEVER apply for a new PAN if you already have one. Having multiple PANs is illegal and carries ₹10,000 penalty.

I got my e-PAN. Do I still need the physical card?

Not really. The e-PAN is legally valid everywhere. However, some older bank branches or government offices might prefer physical cards. My suggestion: Save e-PAN on your phone and cloud. Order physical card delivery to India (cheaper), and get it later if needed.

How To Apply For Lost Or Damaged PAN Card? Complete Guide

Picture this: You're in Dubai, trying to open an NRE account with HDFC Bank. Everything's ready.

But wait-where's your PAN card?

You search your apartment, check old files, even call your parents in India. Nothing.

Your PAN card is gone. And now you're stuck, unable to complete your banking, investments in India, or file your tax returns.

We have seen this happen hundreds of times. NRIs lose their PAN cards during international moves or find them damaged after years of use.

The good news? Getting a duplicate PAN card is simpler than you think. Let us walk you through the exact process.

What Happens When You Lose Your PAN Card?

Your PAN (Permanent Account Number) doesn't change-ever. It's your unique 10-digit alphanumeric identity with the Indian tax authorities.

When you lose the physical card, you still have the same PAN number. You just need a reprint.

Think of it like your passport number. The number stays, but you need a new document.

Without a physical PAN card, you'll face problems:

Can't open NRI bank accounts
Can't invest in mutual funds or stocks
Can't buy property in India
Can't file your income tax return
Higher TDS rates apply on transactions

👉 Tip: Save a digital copy of your PAN card on Google Drive. You'll avoid this hassle next time you travel.

Who Can Apply for a Duplicate PAN Card?

You can apply if:

You've lost your original PAN card
Your card is damaged (torn, faded, water-damaged)
You're an NRI, OCI, or PIO who needs a replacement
You want to update details AND get a new card
You're a foreign national with an existing PAN

The Income Tax Department has authorized only two agencies for PAN services:

Protean (formerly NSDL e-Governance)
UTITSL (UTI Infrastructure Technology And Services Limited)

Apply through whichever agency issued your original PAN card.

Before You Start: Check If Your PAN Is Active

Here's something many NRIs miss: Your PAN might be inoperative.

Since June 2023, millions of PAN cards became inoperative due to Aadhaar linking rules. Even though NRIs are exempt from Aadhaar, your PAN can still become inactive if you haven't updated your residential status.

Check your PAN status:

Log in to www.incometax.gov.in
Go to "My Profile" section
Look for any "inoperative" notice

If your PAN is inoperative, you need to fix that first before applying for a duplicate. (I'll cover this later in the article.)

👉 Tip: Use Belong's Residential Status Calculator to confirm your tax status. It takes 2 minutes and helps avoid compliance issues.

Documents You Need for Duplicate PAN Card

Whether you apply online or offline, keep these documents ready:

For Identity Proof (any one):

Passport (recommended for NRIs)
Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card
Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card
Aadhaar card (if you have one)

For Address Proof (any one):

Valid passport with overseas address
Latest utility bill (electricity, water, telephone) from your UAE address
Bank statement from overseas bank (not older than 3 months)
Employment contract letter from UAE employer
Tenancy contract (rental agreement) from Dubai or Abu Dhabi

Additional Documents:

PAN number (even if you don't have the physical card)
Recent passport-size photograph (if applying offline)
Email address
Mobile number (overseas number works fine)

👉 Tip: Keep color scans of all documents in PDF format. This speeds up online applications.

You DON'T need:

Your old/lost PAN card
Indian address proof
Aadhaar card (unless you have one)
Notarization or embassy attestation

Step-by-Step: Applying Online (Recommended for NRIs)

The online method is fastest for NRIs living in the UAE, UK, or US.

Option 1: Through Protean (NSDL) Website

Step 1: Visit the Official Website Go to onlineservices.proteantech.in

Step 2: Select Application Type Click on "Application Type" dropdown and choose:

"Reprint of PAN Card (No change in existing PAN data)" -– if you just want a duplicate
OR "Changes or Correction in existing PAN data" -– if you also need to update details

Step 3: Choose Your Category Select "Individual" (for most NRIs)

Step 4: Fill Personal Details

Full name (exactly as on passport)
Date of birth
Your existing PAN number
Email ID (you'll receive updates here)
Mobile number with country code (e.g., +971 for UAE)

Step 5: Enter Your Address Use your current overseas address. Don't use an Indian address if you don't live there.

For Dubai residents:

Apartment number, Building name
Area (e.g., Dubai Marina, Business Bay)
City: Dubai
Country: United Arab Emirates
ZIP/Postal Code

Step 6: Upload Documents Upload scanned copies of:

Passport (identity and address proof)
Passport-size photograph (if required)

File size limit: 300 KB per document Format: PDF or JPEG

Step 7: Make Payment Pay the applicable fee using:

International credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
Debit card
Net banking (from Indian bank account)

Step 8: Submit and Note Your Acknowledgment Number After submission, you'll receive a 15-digit acknowledgment number. Save this-you'll need it to track your application.

Step 9: Track Your Application Visit the NSDL website and check status using your acknowledgment number.

Option 2: Through UTITSL Website

The process is similar:

Visit https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/panonline_ipg/forms/pan.html/preForm
Choose "Reprint PAN Card"
Fill Form 49A
Upload documents
Pay fees
Submit application

👉 Tip: Most NRIs find the Protean (NSDL) interface easier to use. Check which agency issued your original PAN and apply through them.

Step-by-Step: Applying Offline (If You're in India)

If you're visiting India, you can apply offline at a PAN facilitation center.

Step 1: Download Form 49A Get it from NSDL or UTITSL website.

Step 2: Fill the Form

Tick "Reprint of PAN card" option
Enter your existing PAN number
Fill all details in CAPITAL LETTERS
Sign the form

Step 3: Visit a PAN Center Find the nearest TIN Facilitation Center or PAN center. Available in most Indian cities.

Step 4: Submit Documents Hand over:

Filled Form 49A
Self-attested photocopies of identity and address proof
Two passport-size photographs
Payment demand draft (if required)

Step 5: Pay Fees Pay the applicable fee in cash or demand draft.

Step 6: Collect Acknowledgment Receipt The center will give you an acknowledgment slip with a tracking number.

How Much Does a Duplicate PAN Card Cost?

The fees depend on your delivery address:

Delivery Location	Physical PAN Card	e-PAN Only
Indian Address	₹50 (including GST)	₹50
Foreign Address (UAE, UK, US, etc.)	₹959 (including GST)	₹66

Yes, you read that right. Getting a physical PAN card delivered to Dubai costs ₹959 (about AED 42).

If you choose e-PAN (digital PDF), it costs only ₹66-regardless of location.

My recommendation? Get the e-PAN first (it arrives in 2-3 days). Then apply for physical card delivery to India (cheaper), and ask family to courier it to you.

Payment Methods for NRIs:

Credit card (Visa, Mastercard) - 2% bank charge may apply
Debit card (international cards accepted)
Net banking (if you have an Indian bank account)
Demand Draft (payable to "NSDL-PAN" at Mumbai)

👉 Tip: If the fee seems high, use Belong's platform for smarter financial planning. Our GIFT City investment options help you save far more than what you spend on administrative fees.

How Long Does It Take?

Method	Timeline
e-PAN (digital)	2-3 working days
Physical PAN to Indian address	10-15 working days
Physical PAN to foreign address	15-30 working days

The timeline starts AFTER your documents are verified. If documents are incomplete, expect delays.

From our experience helping NRIs, here's what usually happens:

Day 1-2: Application submitted
Day 3-5: Document verification
Day 6-7: PAN card printed
Day 8-15: Dispatch to Indian address
Day 8-30: International delivery (if you chose foreign address)

👉 Tip: Facing delays? Check your spam folder. Protean and UTITSL send updates via email, and they often land in spam.

Common Mistakes NRIs Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Mistake 1: Using an Indian Address When You Live Abroad

Many NRIs use their parents' address thinking it's faster. This creates compliance issues later.

Solution: Use your actual overseas residential address.

Mistake 2: Applying Through Multiple Agencies

Some NRIs apply through both Protean AND UTITSL, thinking it speeds things up. It doesn't.

Solution: Apply through the agency that issued your original PAN.

Mistake 3: Name Spelling Errors

Your PAN card name MUST match your passport exactly. Even small differences cause rejection.

Solution: Double-check spelling before submitting.

Mistake 4: Not Checking PAN Status First

If your PAN is inoperative, a duplicate application won't help. You need to reactivate it first.

Solution: Always check PAN status on income tax portal before applying.

Mistake 5: Using Low-Quality Scans

Blurry or cut-off document scans get rejected.

Solution: Use a proper scanner app (like Adobe Scan) to create clear PDFs.

What If Your PAN Is Inoperative? Fix It First

Many NRIs discovered in 2023 that their PAN became inoperative due to Aadhaar linking rules.

Why Does This Happen?

The Income Tax Department mandated Aadhaar-PAN linking by June 30, 2023. NRIs are exempt-but only if they've updated their residential status as "Non-Resident."

If you haven't filed ITR as NRI in the last 3 years or informed your jurisdictional assessing officer, your PAN likely became inoperative.

How to Reactivate Your PAN:

Method 1: Update Residential Status Online

Log in to www.incometax.gov.in
Go to "My Profile" → "My Status"
Update status to "Non-Resident"
Save changes

Method 2: Contact Your Assessing Officer

1. Find your Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO) on income tax portal

2. Send email with:

Copy of PAN card
Passport showing overseas residence
Request to update residential status

3. Wait for confirmation (usually 2-4 weeks)

Email addresses:

adg1.systems@incometax.gov.in
jd.systems1.1@incometax.gov.in

Method 3: Link Aadhaar (If You Have One) If you have an Aadhaar card, linking it will reactivate your PAN immediately.

Visit https://eportal.incometax.gov.in/iec/foservices/#/pre-login/bl-link-aadhaar
Enter PAN and Aadhaar numbers
Verify with OTP
Pay ₹1,000 late fee (if applicable)

👉 Tip: Not sure about your NRI status? Use Belong's free Residential Status Calculator to find out in 2 minutes.

Can You Use e-PAN Instead of Physical Card?

Yes! The e-PAN is legally valid for ALL purposes:

Opening bank accounts
Buying property
Filing tax returns
Making investments
KYC verification

The e-PAN is a PDF file with a QR code. You can:

Store it on your phone
Email it to banks/brokers
Print it whenever needed

Many NRIs now skip the physical card entirely and use e-PAN for everything.

Bonus: e-PAN is harder to lose, costs less (₹66 vs ₹959 for foreign delivery), and arrives in 2-3 days.

Special Cases for NRIs

Case 1: You're a Citizen of Another Country Now

If you've surrendered Indian citizenship and hold UAE, US, or UK citizenship, your PAN needs updating.

You must inform the Income Tax Department about your citizenship change. Otherwise, your PAN remains linked to "Indian Citizen" status, causing DTAA complications.

Case 2: You Have an OCI or PIO Card

OCI and PIO cardholders follow the same process as NRIs. Use your OCI card as identity and address proof.

Case 3: You've Never Filed ITR in India

Even if you've never filed taxes, you can still get a duplicate PAN. The process is identical.

However, if you have taxable income in India (rental income, FD interest, capital gains), start filing ITR to maintain compliance.

Case 4: You're Planning to Return to India

If you're moving back to India soon, get your duplicate PAN NOW while you're still an NRI. It's easier than applying after you return.

Also read: Complete Financial Checklist for NRIs Returning to India

How to Track Your Duplicate PAN Application

For Protean (NSDL):

Visit https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html
Enter acknowledgment number
Enter captcha and submit

For UTITSL:

Visit https://www.pan.utiitsl.com/PAN_ONLINE/trackStatusPan
Enter Acknowledgment number or PAN number
Enter Date of Birth
Submit

You'll see status like:

"Received" - Application received
"Under Process" - Documents being verified
"Dispatched" - PAN card sent to your address

What Happens Next? Using Your PAN for Investments

Once you have your new PAN card, you can:

1. Open NRI Bank Accounts

Compare the best NRI FD rates across major banks using Belong's FD comparison tool.

Traditional NRE and NRO FDs offer 6-7% interest (taxable for NRO). But there's a smarter option.

2. Invest in GIFT City

GIFT City offers USD-denominated fixed deposits with:

4.5-6% returns in USD
Zero tax on interest (vs. 30% TDS on NRO FDs)
No currency risk (rupee depreciation protected)
Easy repatriation

We've helped dozens of NRIs shift from traditional FDs to GIFT City investments. The tax savings alone justify the switch.

Real example: Raj, a Dubai-based engineer, had ₹50 lakhs in an NRO FD earning 7%. After TDS, his actual return was 4.9%.

He moved to GIFT City USD FD through Belong and now earns 5.2% with ZERO tax. Plus, he's protected from rupee depreciation.

Track the rupee vs dollar to see why this matters.

3. Explore Alternative Investments

With your PAN ready, you can invest in:

👉 Tip: Before investing, understand the taxation rules for NRIs to avoid surprises.

Why Most NRIs Get This Wrong

Here's what we see repeatedly:

Scenario 1: The "I'll Do It Later" Trap Priya lost her PAN card in 2022. She kept postponing the application. In 2024, she needed to sell property in India urgently.

Without PAN, her buyer faced 20% TDS (vs. standard rates with PAN). The deal almost fell through.

Scenario 2: The "I'll Ask My CA" Delay Vikram hired a CA in India to handle his duplicate PAN. The CA was busy, missed deadlines, and Vikram's investment opportunities slipped away.

DIY application takes 30 minutes. Don't outsource simple tasks.

Scenario 3: The "Duplicate PAN" Confusion Some NRIs accidentally apply for a NEW PAN instead of a duplicate. This creates multiple PANs-a major compliance violation with ₹10,000 penalty.

Always select "Reprint" option, never "New PAN."

Your Complete Checklist

Before you start your application, verify:

✅ You know your existing PAN number
✅ Your passport is valid and has your overseas address
✅ You have high-quality scans of all documents
✅ Your PAN status is "active" on income tax portal
✅ Your name spelling matches passport exactly
✅ You have an international credit card for payment
✅ Your email and phone number are accessible
✅ You've decided: e-PAN or physical card?
✅ You've selected the correct delivery address
✅ You've noted today's date (for tracking timeline)

Making Your Money Work While You Wait

Getting a duplicate PAN takes 2-4 weeks. Use this time to plan your India investments.

Most NRIs we meet are losing money in three ways:

Problem 1: Low-yielding NRE accounts Your savings account gives 3% interest. That's below inflation.

Problem 2: High TDS on NRO accounts 30% TDS eats into your returns, even though you can claim refunds later.

Problem 3: Rupee depreciation The rupee fell 15% against USD in the last 5 years. Your India assets lost value.

The Belong Solution:

USD FDs in GIFT City: 5%+ returns, zero tax
Currency risk eliminated: Deposit and earn in dollars
Easy repatriation: Move money back when needed
Compliance made simple: We handle paperwork

Join 5,000+ NRIs who've discovered smarter ways to invest in India.

Conclusion: Get Your PAN Card Sorted Today

Losing your PAN card is frustrating-but fixable.

Here's what to remember:

Apply online through Protean or UTITSL (whichever issued your original PAN)
Choose e-PAN for speed and lower cost
Check if your PAN is active before applying
Use your overseas address (not Indian address)
Keep documents ready in PDF format
Pay ₹959 for foreign delivery or ₹66 for e-PAN
Track your application using acknowledgment number

The entire process takes 30 minutes of your time and 2-4 weeks for delivery.

Don't wait until you need your PAN urgently. Apply today.

Next Steps:

Check your PAN status on incometax.gov.in
Apply for duplicate PAN using the steps above
Plan your India investments using Belong's FD comparison tool
Join our WhatsApp community for NRI financial tips: Click here
Download Belong app for tax-free USD investments: Get started

Have questions about your PAN card, NRI taxation, or GIFT City investments? Our team of financial experts is here to help.

We've built Belong because we know how confusing India's financial system can be for NRIs. Every tool, every guide, every feature-designed to make your life simpler.

Let's secure your financial future together.

Sources:

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Tax laws change frequently. Consult a qualified CA for personalized advice. Belong is a SEBI-registered investment advisor and holds necessary licenses from IFSCA for GIFT City operations.

How To Apply For Lost Or Damaged PAN Card