How to Reprint PAN Card - Step-by-Step Guide for NRIs

A client based in Abu Dhabi reached out to us last year. His PAN card had been damaged beyond recognition in a storage flood back in India. He had a property sale pending. No PAN meant no registration, no TDS compliance, and a stuck deal.

He assumed he would need to fly back to India. He did not. The entire reprint was done online from the UAE. The e-PAN arrived by email before his next call with the buyer.

This guide covers exactly how to do this, step by step, from wherever you are.

Why NRIs Need an Active PAN Card

A PAN card is not just identification. It is your financial fingerprint in India.

You need it to open NRE or NRO accounts, buy or sell property, and file income tax returns. You also need it to invest in mutual funds, stocks, and fixed deposits.

Without a valid PAN, banks flag transactions, TDS gets deducted at maximum rates, and certain investments are blocked. If your card is lost, damaged, or was never delivered to you abroad, a reprint is the correct step.

Do not apply for a fresh PAN. Holding two PAN numbers is illegal under Section 272B of the Income Tax Act, 1961. It attracts a penalty of Rs 10,000.

👉 Already dealing with a lost card situation? Read our guide on what to do if you lose your PAN card before applying for a reprint.

Reprint vs Correction: Know the Difference First

This distinction trips up many NRIs and wastes weeks of processing time.

A reprint is for when your card is lost, damaged, or you simply need a fresh copy. Your name, date of birth, and address on record stay exactly the same. The system reprints the card with existing details.

A correction is for when the details are wrong. Spelling errors in name, incorrect date of birth, outdated address, or status change all require a correction, not a reprint. A reprint with wrong details will just reproduce the same errors.

If your details are correct and you only need a new card or e-PAN, use the reprint route covered below. If anything needs updating, apply for a correction first through the same portals.

The Two Authorised Portals

The Income Tax Department has authorised only two agencies to process PAN services in India (source: incometaxindia.gov.in):

• Protean eGov Technologies (formerly NSDL eGov): onlineservices.proteantech.in

• UTIITSL: www.pan.utiitsl.com

Here is the rule most NRIs miss: you must apply through the same portal that originally processed your PAN. If Protean issued your original PAN, go to Protean. If UTIITSL issued it, go to UTIITSL.

Using the wrong portal will result in a failed or stuck application.

Not sure which agency handled your original PAN? Check your original allotment letter. If that is also unavailable, enter your PAN number on both portals. The one that recognises your record is the correct one.

Fees for NRIs (2026)

Source: Protean official portal and Income Tax India website, verified April 2025.

The higher overseas fee covers international courier charges. Some third-party services charge Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 for this. They apply through the same government portals and add their margin. Unless your situation is complex, apply directly.

One useful shortcut: check if your PAN was allotted in the last 30 days. If so, download the e-PAN free from the Protean portal. The same applies if a recent change was confirmed by ITD. No fee, no wait.

Step-by-Step: Reprint via Protean Portal

Step 1: Visit the Protean PAN reprint page

Go to onlineservices.proteantech.in and select "Reprint of PAN Card." This option is only for existing PAN holders. Do not select the new PAN application option.

Step 2: Enter your PAN details

Enter your 10-digit PAN number, date of birth, and the mobile number or email registered with your PAN record.

Step 3: Verify masked details

The system displays your name and address in partially masked form. Confirm these match your records before proceeding.

Step 4: Request OTP

Click "Get OTP." An OTP is sent to your registered mobile number or email. If your Indian mobile number is inactive, see the troubleshooting section below.

Step 5: Complete payment

Pay Rs 50 for an India address or Rs 959 for an overseas address. International credit and debit cards are accepted. Download the payment receipt, as it contains your acknowledgement number for tracking.

Step 6: Await delivery

e-PAN: delivered to your registered email within 3 to 5 working days. Physical card: dispatched to your communication address within 2 to 3 weeks of e-PAN allotment.

Step-by-Step: Reprint via UTIITSL Portal

Step 1: Visit UTIITSL

Go to www.pan.utiitsl.com and select "PAN Card Services," then "Reprint of PAN Card."

Step 2: Fill in your details

Enter your PAN number, date of birth, and registered contact details.

Step 3: Confirm existing details

The system displays your information on file. Verify that name, date of birth, and address are accurate.

Step 4: OTP verification

Enter the OTP received on your registered mobile or email.

Step 5: Pay the fee

Rs 50 for an India address, Rs 994 for overseas dispatch. Save the coupon number from the receipt.

Step 6: Track your application

Use the coupon number on the UTIITSL portal to monitor status at any point.

👉 Once your PAN is active, link it correctly to your NRI bank account. Read our guide on linking Aadhaar and PAN with your NRI bank account to avoid TDS complications.

Documents Required

For a straightforward reprint with no detail changes, you typically need no physical documents. Both portals use e-KYC verification. Your details are already on file, and the system reprints the card.

If the system cannot verify your details electronically, or if you are applying offline, you may need:

• Self-attested copy of passport (identity and address proof for NRIs)

• Copy of existing PAN card or original allotment letter, if available

• Proof of date of birth: passport, matriculation certificate, or birth certificate

NRIs do not need Aadhaar for PAN services. If the portal asks for Aadhaar and you do not have one, select the non-Aadhaar OTP option. Use mobile or email verification instead.

The OTP Problem: What to Do If Your Indian Number Is Inactive

This is the most common block for UAE, UK, and US-based NRIs. The OTP goes only to the mobile number registered with your PAN record. If that SIM is inactive, the OTP never arrives.

Option 1: Update your mobile number first

Apply for a correction to update your registered mobile number. Once confirmed, apply for the reprint. This adds a few days but fixes the root problem.

Option 2: Use email OTP

Both portals offer OTP via registered email as an alternative. If your email is active and linked to your PAN record, select the email OTP option.

Option 3: Offline application

Fill Form 49A and submit by post to the Protean or UTIITSL office. Physical document submission required. This route works for NRIs who cannot receive OTP by either channel.

Offline Route: For NRIs Who Cannot Use Online Portals

Step 1: Download Form 49A from the Income Tax India website or the Protean or UTIITSL website.

Step 2: Fill in block letters in black pen. Write "Reprint/Duplicate" clearly at the top.

Step 3: Attach self-attested passport copies for identity, address, and date of birth proof.

Step 4: Attach a passport-size photo. Do not staple it; use glue only.

Step 5: Pay by demand draft in favour of "NSDL-PAN" or "UTIITSL-PAN" as applicable. Mention your name and PAN on the reverse of the draft.

Step 6: Courier the complete packet to the Protean or UTIITSL office in India. No embassy attestation is required for most standard documents.

Processing time offline is typically 15 to 25 working days after the office receives your packet.

e-PAN vs Physical Card: Which Should NRIs Choose?

For NRIs, we recommend getting the e-PAN first. Use it immediately for urgent financial transactions. Request the physical card delivery to a trusted India address or your overseas address separately.

Most banks, brokers, and mutual fund platforms now accept e-PAN. A few offline processes may still require the physical card.

👉 Once your PAN is updated and active, you can plan your India investments with full clarity. Read our guide on what NRI income is taxable in India to structure your portfolio correctly.

Common Reasons Applications Fail

Wrong portal: Protean and UTIITSL do not share records. Applying on the wrong portal causes a failed application. Use the portal that originally issued your PAN.

OTP not received: Inactive Indian mobile number causes this. Update the number first, or switch to email OTP as described above.

Name mismatch: The name you enter must exactly match ITD records. Even a single character difference can trigger rejection. Check your original PAN allotment letter for the exact spelling on file.

Applying for reprint with wrong details: A reprint reproduces existing records. If address or name is incorrect on record, apply for a correction before requesting a reprint.

Multiple simultaneous applications: Submitting the same request on both portals does not speed things up.

It creates conflicts and can flag your account for review. Apply on one portal only.

PAN marked inoperative: Some PAN cards were incorrectly flagged due to Aadhaar-PAN non-linkage. NRIs are exempt from mandatory Aadhaar-PAN linking.

If your PAN was incorrectly marked inoperative, notify your jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO). Use the "Know Your AO" feature on the IT e-filing portal at eportal.incometax.gov.in to find the right officer.

Tracking Your Application

Both portals provide online tracking using your acknowledgement or coupon number.

For Protean: visit the status tracking page on tin.tin.nsdl.com and enter your 15-digit acknowledgement number.

For UTIITSL: visit the tracking page on the UTIITSL portal and enter your coupon number.

Status typically updates within 48 hours of submission. Once the physical card is dispatched, a postal tracking reference is provided for international deliveries.

What Comes After: Putting Your PAN to Work

Once your PAN is active and in hand, a few things become immediately easier.

For NRIs, filing income tax returns in India requires a valid PAN. You also need it to claim tax exemptions and deductions and to use DTAA provisions that prevent double taxation.

PAN is required to invest in NRI fixed deposits. It is also required to access GIFT City IFSC products including USD fixed deposits and mutual funds. Without it, most platforms cannot process these investments.

👉 If you want to explore tax-free investing in India as an NRI, read about tax-free investment options through GIFT City. This is one of the most efficient routes available today.

Your Annual Information Statement is also PAN-linked. All interest income, TDS deductions, and capital gains reported to the Income Tax Department are tracked against your PAN. Keeping it active and updated protects you from incorrect tax notices.

A Note on OCI and PIO Cardholders

OCI and PIO cardholders follow the same PAN reprint process as NRIs. Indian passport remains the primary identity and address proof. Your OCI or PIO status does not affect PAN eligibility or the reprint procedure.

Not sure whether your residential status qualifies you as an NRI for tax purposes? Our NRI status guide explains the criteria clearly. Check it before proceeding with any investment or filing activity.

Need Help With Broader NRI Tax Compliance?

Getting your PAN reprinted is often the first step in a longer financial compliance journey. At Belong, we help NRIs across the UAE, UK, and US with PAN setup, account compliance, and GIFT City investing.

Use our NRI FD rates tool to compare fixed deposit options once your PAN is active. Explore GIFT City mutual funds for USD-denominated, tax-free investment options. Options available include the DSP Global Equity Fund and Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund. You can also explore the Edelweiss Greater China Equity Fund and Sundaram India Mid Cap Fund.

Our GIFT City AIF explorer covers higher-return structures for NRIs with longer horizons. Track real-time signals with our GIFT Nifty tool. Access mutual funds and IPO opportunities including GIFT City IPOs that are increasingly available to NRIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reprint my PAN card from outside India without visiting any office?

Yes. The online route through Protean or UTIITSL requires no physical visit. You need your PAN number, registered mobile or email for OTP, and an international credit or debit card for payment. The e-PAN is delivered to your email and the physical card ships to your provided address.

I do not remember which portal processed my original PAN. What do I do?

Enter your PAN number on both the Protean and UTIITSL portals. The one that recognises your record and displays your details is the correct portal.

My Indian mobile number is inactive. Can I still apply?

Yes. Use email OTP if your registered email is active. Or apply offline by posting Form 49A with supporting documents to the Protean or UTIITSL office.

Is e-PAN legally valid for property registration, bank accounts, and investments?

Yes. e-PAN is fully valid under Indian law. Most banks, mutual fund platforms, and investment institutions accept it. A small number of offline processes may still prefer the physical card.

Will the reprinted PAN card have a new number?

No. The PAN number stays unchanged. A new physical or digital card is issued with the same existing number.

How long does the physical PAN card take to reach an overseas address?

Typically 3 to 5 weeks for international delivery after the card is dispatched. The e-PAN arrives by email in 3 to 5 working days and can be used immediately.

Do I need Aadhaar to reprint my PAN as an NRI?

No. NRIs are not required to provide Aadhaar for PAN services. Select the mobile or email OTP option when the portal prompts for Aadhaar verification.

What if my PAN is marked inoperative?

NRIs are exempt from mandatory Aadhaar-PAN linking. If your PAN was incorrectly marked inoperative, contact your jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO). Use the "Know Your AO" tool at eportal.incometax.gov.in to find the right officer.

Disclaimer: PAN-related fees, processing timelines, and portal procedures are subject to change by the Income Tax Department or the authorised agencies. Verify current details on the official Protean or UTIITSL websites before applying. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Belong is a SEBI-registered investment advisory platform.