Registration Requirements
for Foreigners while staying in India
All foreign nationals including foreigners of Indian origin, visiting India and intends to stay in India for over 180 days are required to register with Foreigner Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Superintendent of Police (SP)/Districts. The registration process is completed on the same day unless the registration officer requires a field enquiry or other checks to satisfy himself about the bona-fide of the visitor. A residence permit is issued for the duration of the period specified in Visa, once registration process is completed.
If Indian embassy / consulate endorse “FOR REGISTRATION REQUIRED” registration with FRRO / FRO would be required irrespective of no. of days stay in India. In all other cases the time limit for registration with FRRO is different for different category of visitors specified as follows:-
Business Visa / Entry (X) Visa
Foreign nationals coming to India on Business Visa are required to register with FRRO / FRO (which has jurisdiction over the place, where foreigner intends to stay), if their aggregate stay in India during a calendar year exceeds / likely to exceed 180 days. Visa issued under this category is stamped by Indian Embassy / Consulate) with remark “CONTINUOUS STAY LESS THAN 180 DAYS – NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED, IF STAY IN A CALENDAR YEAR EXCEEDS 180 DAYS - REGISTRATION REQUIRED”.
Person visiting on Student Visa, Medical Visa, Research Visa or
Employment Visa
Normally visitors entering into India under these categories of Visa enters on a long term Visa (more than 180 days) are required to register with jurisdictional FRRO / FRO (which has jurisdiction over the place, where foreigner intends to stay) within 14 days of their arrival in India. Visa issued under this category is stamped by Indian Embassy / Consulate) with remark “REGISTRATION REQUIRED WITHIN 14 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF ARRIVAL IN INDIA”.
There are special rules applicable to nationals of following countries:
Afghan Nationals:
a) All Afghan nationals are required to register within 14 days of their arrival with the exception of those entering India on a Visa valid for 30 days or less, provided they provide their local address in India to the FRRO / FRO / Indian Mission.
b) Afghan nationals who are issued Visas with remarks “Exemption from Policy Reporting” are exempt from Policy Reporting and Exit Permissions, as long as they leave India within their Visa validity period.
Pakistan Nationals:
They are required to register within 24 hours of their arrival
Other Visas
Foreign nationals coming to India on Visa other than those referred above are not required to register with FRRO / FRO even if they entered India on a long term Visa except in cases where their continuous stay in India exceeds 180 days. In such cases, if they intend to stay in India for a continuous period of over 180 days, then they need to get registered with FRRO / FRO before the expiry of 180 days from the date of arrival. Visa issued under this category is stamped by Indian Embassy / Consulate) with remark “REGISTRATION NOT REQUIRED, IF EACH STAY DOES NOT EXCEED 180 DAYS”.
Registration during validity of a Visa period is required only once, irrespective of no. of entry / exit of the foreigner under a multiple entry Visa. However, if a person enters/ re-enters India on a new Visa, he is required to register once again. Foreigners can visit Restricted / Protected Areas only after obtaining a valid permit required to visit such areas over and above valid Visa.
Exemptions from Registration
The following categories of foreigners including foreigners of Indian origin are exempted from registration requirement with FRRO / FRO:-
a) Person of Indian Origin (PIO)
b) Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Card Holders
c) Children below the age of 16 years
d) Foreign Diplomats and / or Consular Officers assigned to India and their spouse and children on reciprocal basis except nationals of Egypt and Syria (they are required to register)
e) UN officials and its specialised agencies coming to India on duty, their spouse and dependent relatives, experts under the UN and its specialised agencies holding UN Laissez-Passer or any other document including their status with the UN. It is to be remembered that such persons are not issued a residential permit.
Surrender of FRRO / FRO Registration at the time
of departure