- Who Needs an Indian PAN in Kuwait?
- What are the Benefits of Having a PAN Card in Kuwait?
- Who is Eligible to Apply for a PAN Card in Kuwait?
- What are the Documents Required to Apply for a PAN Card in Kuwait?
- How to Apply for a PAN Card from Kuwait?
- What are the PAN Card Fees and Processing Time in Kuwait?
- How to Check PAN Card Status Online in Kuwait?
- Importance of NRI PAN Card Regarding Tax and Compliance
- Final Thoughts
Whether you are an Indian resident, NRI, or foreign citizen, if you have a valid business or earnings from India, a PAN card is an important document for you. A PAN card offers several benefits to NRIs and foreign citizens in India. It includes investing in the Indian market, reducing TDS rates, and more. Further, the application process of obtaining a PAN card in Kuwait remains the same in India. You need to fill out the application form, submit the required documents, pay the fee, and within the given processing time, you will receive your PAN card.
Want to know about the PAN card application process in Kuwait in detail? Read on the blog and get your answers.
- A PAN card is an important document required to carry out financial transactions and ITR filing by Indian residents, NRIs, and foreign citizens.
- NRIs and foreign citizens can use a PAN card to buy property, make investments, and purchase vehicles in India.
- If you are an Indian resident or an NRI, fill out Form 49A, and if you are a foreign citizen, fill out Form 49AA to obtain a PAN card.
- You can obtain your NRI PAN card online by using the NSDL or UTIITSL website.
- Further, you can check your PAN card status using your 15-digit unique identification number.
Who Needs an Indian PAN in Kuwait?
Anyone staying in Kuwait who has financial ties or tax obligations in India needs a PAN card. You will need an Indian PAN card in Kuwait if you:
- Wish to invest in Indian stocks, mutual funds, NPS bonds, or fixed deposits
- Foreign citizens or entities having taxable Indian income or operations
- NRI/OCIs earning income from India, including rent, interest, salary, or capital gains
- Seek to buy/sell a property in India or serve as a director/partner in an Indian business
What are the Benefits of Having a PAN Card in Kuwait?
Apart from serving as a universal proof of identity, a PAN card unlocks essential financial access and carries various benefits. Some of the key benefits of having a PAN card in Kuwait include:

- Filing ITR in India and claiming refunds on TDS
- Avoid paying a higher rate of TDS on Indian payouts, nearly 20-30%
- Opening or operating an NRE/NRO/demat account and investing in Indian markets
- Mandatory for conducting KYC verification, high-value banking, and property transactions
Who is Eligible to Apply for a PAN Card in Kuwait?
For individuals from India, the eligibility criteria to apply for a PAN card are broad. You will be considered eligible if:
- You are an OCI/PIO/foreign national having an Indian income/property business
- Your company/firm has a taxable presence or registrations in India
- You are an Indian citizen (resident or NRI) holding a valid passport
A person/entity is allowed to have only one PAN card, as multiple PAN cards may incur penalties.
What are the Documents Required to Apply for a PAN Card in Kuwait?
For individuals residing in Kuwait, some standard documents are required as proof, which are as follows:
Photographs
- Recent passport-sized photograph for physical submission
Proof of Identity (any one of the following documents)
- OCI/PIO card
- Indian/foreign passport
- Other national ID/TIN attested by Apostille/Indian Embassy
Proof of Address (any one of the following documents)
- Kuwait Bank statement
- Passport (Kuwait address page)
- Residence permit/visa with an Indian employer certificate
- Utility bill or NRE bank statement (with recent transactions)
Apply, correct, or update your NRI PAN card with our experts.
How to Apply for a PAN Card from Kuwait?
You can apply for a PAN card via NSDL/UTIITSL portals or Middle East NRI agents. Here are the processes to apply for a PAN card based on the service you need:
Applying for a New PAN Card in Kuwait
Follow the steps below to apply for a PAN card in Kuwait:
- Select the Portal and Form: Visit either the Protean/NSDL or UTIITSL website and select "New PAN -NRI/Foreign". Use Form 49A (Indian citizens/NRIs) or Form 49AA (foreign citizens/entities).
- Fill out the Form: Enter the required details, Kuwait address as communication, and NRI AO code.
- Submit Documents: Upload all the required documents in the accurate format and ensure not to miss out on any.
- Pay the Fee: Make the payment for the fee via card/net banking. The fee may be higher for dispatch outside India.
- Courier (if needed): Print and sign the acknowledgement, attach the proofs/photos, and mail to the processing center in India.
e-PAN cards will be sent to your registered email address, while physical PAN cards will be dispatched to Kuwait.
Applying for a Lost PAN Card
In case of a lost PAN card, you can reissue the existing PAN card with the same number. Here is how you can apply for the reissue of a lost PAN card:
- On the official portal (NSDL/UTIITSL), select the "Reprint/Change in PAN data" option
- Enter the current PAN details, and upload the documents
- Submit ID and address proofs, and a copy of FIR (optional)
- Pay the fee for PAN reprint and courier (if required)
- Your duplicate PAN card will be issued within the processing time, with the same PAN number.
Applying to Make Corrections on the PAN Card
If you want to update errors on your PAN card, like name, birth date, photograph, or any other information, you can use the PAN change/correction service. Here is how you can apply to make corrections on the PAN card:
- On the portal, choose "Change/Correction in PAN" service
- Mark the fields you need to fix and fill out the correct information as per your current valid documents (e.g., passport)
- Upload documents as proof to show the correct information
- Pay the fee and courier the signed form/proofs (if needed)
- Your PAN will be updated with the rectified information after verification
What are the PAN Card Fees and Processing Time in Kuwait?
The application fee and processing time for a PAN card in Kuwait may vary based on the mode of application, type of application, payment method, and several other factors. The table below lists the PAN card fee and processing time based on the type of service you choose:
| Type of Service | Fee in INR | Fee in KWD | Processing Time | Delivery Time (Kuwait) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New PAN card application | Rs. 1,017 | KWD 3.91 | 15-20 working days | 23-35 days (dispatch courier) |
| Lost PAN card (reprint) | Rs. 959 | KWD 3.69 | 10-15 working days | 20-30 days |
| PAN card correction | Rs. 959 - Rs. 1,017 | KWD 3.69 - 3.91 | 10-15 working days | 20-30 days |
| e-PAN card | Rs. 66 - Rs. 77 | KWD 0.25 - 0.30 | Instant (5-30 mins) | Can be downloaded immediately |
Practical Tips for NRIs in Kuwait
- Credit Card Payment: This is the most convenient option to pay the fee. 2% bank surcharge (~ KWD 0.08 extra)
- Western Union/Net Banking: Direct payment in Indian Rupee from Kuwait banks
- Cash Payment: This option is not available for foreign addresses
How to Check PAN Card Status Online in Kuwait?
You can keep track of your PAN card status online from anywhere. Follow these steps to monitor the status of your PAN card from Kuwait:
- Protean/NSDL: Use "Track PAN status" with acknowledgement number.
- UTIITSL: Use the " Track PAN card application status" tool with the coupon number.
- Income Tax Website: Use the "Status of PAN-UTIITSL/NSDL" service.
Importance of NRI PAN Card Regarding Tax and Compliance
A PAN card serves as a unique identifier that links all NRI financial activities to the Income Tax Database. It is essential for filing taxes, making investments in the Indian market, and ensuring compliance from abroad. An NRI may face a higher rate of TDS, have blocked accounts, and may attract penalties of up to Rs. 10,000 under Section 272B without a PAN card. Here are some of the important aspects of an NRI PAN card for tax and compliance:
- Property and Business Transactions: A PAN card is mandatory for deals exceeding Rs. 30 lakh (Section 285BA reporting), taking director roles, filing GST, or making large deposits.
- KYC for Investments: Banks/SEBI may require a PAN card for opening NRE/NRO/ demat accounts, and investing in stock trading, mutual funds, NPS, and bonds.
Get expert assistance when applying for PAN card and save both your time and effort.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, for NRIs and foreign citizens, a PAN card comes with lots of perks. It helps them in investing in India without any issues and fulfill their tax obligations without paying higher TDS. Further, to gain the tax and investment benefits in India, you can simply apply for a PAN card in Kuwait through the NSDL or UTIITSL website from the comfort of your home.
Additionally, you can also connect with Savetaxs and apply for your NRI PAN. We have a team of professionals who have years of experience in this field, and they can assist you in simply obtaining your PAN card without any issue.
Note: This guide is for information purposes only. The views expressed in this guide are personal and do not constitute the views of Savetaxs. Savetaxs or the author will not be responsible for any direct or indirect loss incurred by the reader for taking any decision based on the information or the contents. It is advisable to consult either a CA, CS, CPA or a professional tax expert from the Savetaxs team, as they are familiar with the current regulations and help you make accurate decisions and maintain accuracy throughout the whole process.
Mr. Ritesh has 20 years of experience in taxation, accounting, business planning, organizational structuring, international trade financing, acquisitions, legal and secretarial services, MIS development, and a host of other areas. Mr Jain is a powerhouse of all things taxation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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You need the following documents to apply for a PAN card from Kuwait:
- Filled out the application form
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Identity proof and birth date proof (Passport)
- Kuwait address proof (Bank statement, utility bill, or residence permit)