Registration under Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) is essential requirement by the Government of India under which all foreign nationals (excluding overseas citizens of India) visiting India on a long-term visa which are more than 180 days are needed to register themselves with a Registration Officer within 14 days of arriving in India. Pakistani nationals who are visiting India are required to register within 24 hours.
TO WHOM FRRO REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY?
Registration is essential for all foreigners who are having visas for a period which are exceeding 6 months except the exempted categories and should be done within 14 days of first arrival.
These are the Categories of Foreigners which are exempted from Taking Registration under FRRO: (Exempted Categories)
- Persons who are holding OCI Card (overseas citizens of India).
- US nationals holding 10-year Tourist/Business Visas provided their continuous stay during each visit does not exceed 06 months.
- Foreigners of Indian origin holding 5-year multiple entry X visa with an endorsement that “stay should not exceed 06 months during each visit”.
- Foreigners holding 5-year Tourist Visas, who are actively engaged in tourist/travel trade, desirous of visiting India frequently over extended periods for promotion of tourism, etc., provided that their visa endues an endorsement that “continuous stay should not exceed 06 months”.
- Foreigners below the age of 16 years.
Every Foreigner visiting India on Student Visa(S), Research Visa(R), Medical Visa(M) or Medical Attendant (MED-X) Visa & Employment Visa(E) valid for more than 180 days is required to get registered himself / herself with concerned FRRO, within 14 days of his/her first arrival, irrespective of the duration of their stay.
Foreigners visiting India on other categories of long-term Visa (valid for more than 180 days) including Business/Entry(X) / Journalist Visa would not need registration with the concerned FRRO. In case a foreigner need to stay for more than 180 days on a single visit he / she should get himself/herself registered well before the expiry of 180 days. Foreigners possessing tourist Visa are needed to go for registration only if they re-enter within 60 days of the last departure and they are asked to register through special endorsement etc.
These are the List of documents and information required at the time of registration: –
- Photocopy of the initial visa endorsed (with Immigration stamp) and passport and initial visa endorsed Passport size photograph (Color) of the applicant.
- Lease agreement copy along with NOC and Utility Bill if the applicant is living on rent.
- Form C for applicant from Hotel Manager if he/she is staying in Hotel.
- Form for Tenant Verification (by local Police of the state)
- Email id and Mobile No. of applicant
- HIV test report from one of the WHO recognized Institutions from people in the age group 15 to 60 years, if the foreigner is visiting India on a visa for more than one year.
- Copy of the marriage certificate in case of those seeking extension of stay on grounds of being spouse of an Indian National.
- Bonafide certificate from the University/College/Institution in case of student visa.
- Accreditation certificate from Press Information Bureau in case of journalist visa.
- Approval of the Department of Company Affairs in case of Board level appointments in Public Limited Companies.
- Copy of the approval from Government of India in case of a joint venture or collaboration.
- Employment agreement along with offer Letter.
- Undertaking from the concerned Indian company on the following lines in case of Employment/Business visas.
What are the Procedure for Obtaining FRRO Registration?
Foreign nationals arriving in India for stay purpose over 180 days needs to obtain FRRO registration within 14 days of arrival in India. Further, foreign nationals who are planning to stay in India for more than 180 days can at any point well before the expiry of the 180 days, apply for FRRO registration from a FRO.
These are the Steps for FRRO Registration :-
- Complete online FRRO registration form and schedule FRRO interview (Online FRRO registration website)
- Generate a unique Registration number by the system.
- Schedule FRRO appointment.
- Attend and complete the FRRO interview with all relevant supporting documents.
Generally, the FRRO registration process completes within 24 hours. The registration officer have the responsibility for enquiring fields or any other check under this process. Failure or late FRRO registration attracts a penalty of USD 30, which is changed from time to time. Thus, it is mandatory for all foreign nationals staying in India for over 180 days to obtain an FRRO registration as soon as possible.