Is Physical Documents Required for the PAN Card?

No, there is no need to send the physical PAN card documents if you are applying for a PAN application through the NSDL or UTIITSL website. The Income Tax Department has introduced changes that enable a paperless process for PAN cards for Indian citizens, NRIs, and foreign nationals.

The process is now simpler and easier to understand. The new paperless process helped many applicants obtain their PAN cards without standing in long queues to submit physical PAN card documents at the application center.

So let's see where there is no need for any physical documents and how you can apply for a PAN card application through a paperless process. 

Why are No Physical Documents Required? 

Earlier, to apply for a PAN card, you needed to send physical documents to the UTIITSL or NSDL offices, but on 28 May 2020, the Honorable Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman announced the e-PAN card in the 2020-21 budget speech. 

It includes a paperless process, meaning that if you apply for an e-PAN card, you will not be required to send any physical documents to the Income Tax Department. 

Any foreign citizen, NRI, or Indian resident can easily apply for an Instant e-PAN card through the official Income Tax e-filing website. 

One of the major steps in the paperless PAN card process is to undergo the digital PAN card e-KYC and Aadhaar-based verification. For this, you need to ensure that your mobile number is linked to your Aadhaar card. 

Hence, it is a complete paperless process, which will help you to avoid some of the major processes for PAN application, like:

• Sending no physical signature for the PAN card application. 
• No waiting for long days for the PAN card application approval. 
• No printing of the PAN application. 
• No courier fees. 

How Does the PAN Card Paperless Process Work? 

Here is the process of how a paperless PAN card application works:

•  Choose the Application 

First, applicants need to choose the PAN card application form. Form 49A is for Indian residents and NRIs, and Form 49AA is for foreign nationals. 

• Select Type of Application 

Applicant needs to select the e-PAN card application for the paperless process, which does not require submitting physical documents.

• Apply for a PAN card through e-KYC and Aadhaar Verification for an Indian Resident.

Select the digital PAN card e-KYC for a smooth, paperless PAN application. Before applying for a PAN through e-KYC, make sure you have linked your Aadhaar card to your mobile number, as the entire application process depends on the Aadhaar verification system. 

Your Aadhaar card will serve as identity, address, and date of birth proof for your PAN card application. Also, it can be used to apply for a reprint and correction of the PAN card. 

• Go through Digital e-Signatures for NRIs

You don't need to send any physical documents for verification. Applicants need to provide their Aadhaar if they have it, or use a digital signature certificate (DSC) or e-Sign for a smooth application process.

• Upload Documents online 

If the Income Tax Department officials asked you to provide some additional documents, then you can go to the official Income Tax Department website, log in, and upload all the essential documents for your PAN card application. There is no need to submit a physical copy of the documents to the Income Tax Department. 

Who Can Apply for a PAN Card without Submitting a Physical Document? 

The following can apply for a PAN card without submitting it physically to the Income Tax Department. 

• Indian residents with a valid Aadhar card linked to their mobile number. 
• An NRI can also apply for an E-PAN card with a valid Aadhaar, provided they have a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and need to provide it. 
• Foreign nationals with notarized and government-verified documents can get a PAN card without submitting any physical documents. 
• Any applicant who is applying for changes or corrections to the PAN data. 

What are the Benefits of a Paperless PAN Card Application?

Here are some of the benefits of applying through a Paperless PAN application online from the website:

• Quick Application Process: Applying online eliminates the complex paperwork for your PAN card application and speeds up processing. 
• Avoid Document Rejections: A paperless process helps you submit your PAN card application without rejections or delays, as there's no physical document submission. PAN and application rejection cases have reduced.
• No Courier Fees: One of the best benefits is not paying any courier fees when sending physical documents for your PAN application. If all the processes are paperless, then there are no courier fees. 
• Simple and Easy Application Process: Now, with the paperless method, applying for a PAN is easier and more convenient, with no physical documents required. You can get your PAN card by completing the digital e-KYC and Aadhaar verification.

When will You Need Physical Documents for the PAN Application? 

Here are some of the given scenarios where you will need to submit your Physical documents to apply for a PAN card: 

• If your Aadhaar card information does not match the provided details, you need to submit the physical copies of the documents. 
• If you have entered the wrong address or your address is outdated, then you need to submit proof of address documents to continue the PAN card application process. 
• If manual verification of the applicant is required in some special cases, you will need to provide all the physical documents. 

However, the likelihood of these situations is only 1%, so stay stress-free and apply for the PAN card online without submitting physical documents. 

Why Choose Visament?

Nowadays, applying for the PAN card application can be a complex process, so you will have a professional agent who can help you with the PAN card application documents and the application process. 

Here on the Visament website, you will find highly skilled, experienced experts available 24/7 to help you with all issues and queries related to PAN card services. 

So if you are planning to apply for a PAN card, apply through Visament, which helps you with an easy, error-free, and paperless application process.