WHAT IS FRRO REGISTRATION:
Registration under FRRO is a mandatory requirement by the Government of India under which all foreign nationals (excluding overseas citizens of India) visiting India on a long term visa (more than 180 days) are required to register themselves with a Registration Officer within 14 days of arriving in India.
Pakistani nationals visiting India are required to register within 24 hours of arrival regardless of the duration of their stay.
Foreign registration was mandated and is regulated by the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 and the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992.
Persons who fail to register within the specified time period are charged a late fee of US$30.
In April 2018, the Union Government launched the e-FRRO scheme which allows foreigners to register and avail visa and immigration related services online.
Under the new scheme, a foreign citizen is no longer required to appear in-person at an FRRO office, unless specifically required to do so.
TO WHOM VISA EXTENSION UNDER REGISTRATION IS MANDATORY?
Registration is essential for all foreigners registered under FRRO and their registration expiring (generally FRRO Registration is granted for 1 period of 1 year) and their tenure of stay in India is more than 1 year, hence, in that case the foreigners are require to extend their FRRO Registrations.
Extension requirements for foreign national:
Foreigners must submit an application for extension of residential permit / visa at least 60 days before the date of expiry of respective residential permit/visa.
Over stay:
In the event of an overstay foreigner is liable for prosecution under Foreigners Act 1946 and imprisonment for up to 5 years with fine & expulsion from India.
Late Renewal of Residential Permit:
A foreigner who has delayed for renewal of Residential Permit, on application, if delay is condoned will be charged a penalty for late Registration which is as mentioned below.
Financial Penalty for Overstay and / or non-Registration
|
S. No. |
Duration of Overstay and/or non- registration period | Financial Penalty (in Indian Rupees) |
| 1 | 1 day up to 15 days | 500/- |
| 2 | 16 days to 90 days | 5,000/- |
| 3 | 91 days up to 2 years | 10,000/- |
| 4 | More than 2 years | 20,000/- |
Financial penalty in cases of (a) Tibetans, (b) Buddhist monks from Mongolia & (c) categories of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan nationals, who are eligible for grant of Long Term Visa (LTV) for regularization of overstay and/or non-registration
|
S. No. |
Duration of Overstay and/or non- registration period | Financial Penalty (in Indian Rupees) |
| 1 | 1 day to 90 days | 25/- |
| 2 | 91 days up to 2 years | 50/- |
| 3 | More than 2 years | 100/- |
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO BE PRODUCED FOR EXTENSION OF VISA
1. Valid FRRO Registration Certificate
2. Valid Passport
3. PAN
4. Lease Deed/Form C from Hotel Manager, as the case may be
5. Coloured Photograph
6. NOC from Ministry of External Affairs
PROCEDURE TO OBTAIN NOC FROM MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (MEA)
- An applicant (Foreigner) needs to take a request Letter from the Employer Company requesting Ministry of external affairs towards VISA extension describing the details of employment and details of passport of foreigner.
- After taking above mentioned NOC from Employer, the same needs to be uploaded along with the copy of passport, photograph, valid FRRO Registration Certificate & the request letter obtained from Employer at the below mentioned web link and fill in the requisite details of foreign applicant as well:
https://meacms.mea.gov.in/meaindiabeat/Foreign_Journalists_Registration.aspx
After uploading the requisite documents, the applicant needs to visit (through login details of e-FRRO Portal) https://meacms.mea.gov.in/meaindiabeat/JournalistsLogin.aspx and fill in the requisite details and upload the following documents :
1. Request letter
2. Business card
3. Copy of Passport
4. Photograph
5. Lease Agreement/Form C from Hotel Manager, as the case may
6. PAN of Applicant/Foreigner
7. Valid FRRO Registration Certificate
- After completion of Stage 2 as mentioned above, the NOC shall be issued within 15-20 working days from Ministry of external affairs through email and the email shall be received by the applicant on registered email ID which is registered with FRRO Officer on their e-FRRO Portal.
About the Author
Author is Divya Goel, ACS working as Assistant Manager- Company Secretary with Neeraj Bhagat & Co. Chartered Accountants, a Chartered Accountancy firm helping foreign companies in setting up business in India and complying with various tax laws applicable to foreign companies while establishing their business in India.
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