Does your bank require a PAN card for opening a saving or current account?

You must have it, even if you’re an NRI. The SEBI states- “any NRI having no PAN card, cannot do the share trading by depository or broker.”

It explicitly means that you, being a non-resident, cannot afford not to have this important card. Let’s quickly go through what it is.

PAN Card: The “PAN” stands for the Permanent Account Number. It’s a ten-digit alphanumeric number. You get it in the form of a laminated card scribed with a unique PAN number. The competent authority, i.e. the Income Tax Department, issues it.

Mostly, you have to file an application for its issuance a month ago. You can apply for it online as well as offline. There are many deemed agents, like Services2NRI, that can easily process it on your behalf. Just a bunch of supporting documents, including a permanent address and birth proof, shall be required.

Subsequent to application, you can check the status of your PAN Card only after 7 days of application. Before running through its steps, you should know when you require this card.

When do you require a PAN Card?

The 10-digit unique alphanumeric number or PAN number is a cue to the Income Tax Department. It monitors transactions made to it. Predominantly, this card serves the purpose of:

• Tracking financial transactions
• Spotting tax evaders

Besides new applicants, you apply for its update if there is any change in your address. The tax department will issue a duplicate card.

How can you track your PAN Card status?

Tracking its status is not an ordeal. You can easily interact with the status of your PAN card application. Mainly, there are three ways to come across the status of your PAN card. They are:

1. Through PAN or Coupon Number on UTI website (if you want to update your existing card):

• Click this link: http://www.trackpan.utiitsl.com/PANONLINE to explore the tracking page.
• Type your Application Coupon Number or existing PAN number.
• Input the CAPTCHA code.
• Hit the ‘Submit’ tab.

As you submit your request, the card status will pop up.

2. Through acknowledgement number on NSDL portal:

• Visit the tracking page of the NSDL portal, i.e. https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html

The notification will ask you to select the type of application for checking its status.

• Click the filter icon to select the PAN Card specifically from the pop down list.
• Feed “acknowledgement number” that will be of 15-digit.
• Type the CAPTCHA code.
• Then, hit the “Submit” tab.

This action will direct the portal to showcase the status of your PAN card.

3. Without acknowledgement number on NSDL portal:

Probably, you may not have the acknowledgement number. Keep worries aside. You can still witness its status. Yes!

The TIN-NSDL provides with an ample solution for tracking its details. Just a name of the applicant and the date of birth are enough to browse the status.

Follow these steps thereafter:

• Go to the track page, i.e. https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pantan/StatusTrack.html_bkp24052013
• The page will show a prompt to select the type of application. So, select the “PAN-New/Change Request” in the field.
• Enter the Last, First and Middle name in the fields.
• Then, input the date of birth below.
• Press the “Submit” tab.

These steps will help you to monitor the status of your PAN card application online. If you have any doubt, you can consult with Services2NRI-an outsourcer of NRI documents.