FRRO stands for “Foreigners Regional Registration Office”, where all the Foreigners get their Visa Registered, Extended. All four metros of India has got the FRRO, whereas District Superintendent of Police acts as ex officio Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in other cities.
All foreigners, including foreigners of Indian origin, visiting India on a visa that permits a stay of more than 180 days must register with the Foreigners' Registration Officer having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay within 14 days of his/her arrival. While any visitor planning a stay of more than 180 days must register within 14 days, some visas will be stamped with an indication of whether or not registration is required.
The power of Visa conversions and visa extensions to foreigners present in India, vests with the Ministry of Home Affairs. The change of visa status from one category to another category is normally not allowed. It can be considered by MHA only in extraordinary circumstances. For this purpose, the foreigner should normally come in person to the office. In exceptional cases and where allowed, a duly authenticated representative may be sent. Foreigners not residing in Delhi may approach the FRRO/CHIO/FRO concerned who would forward their case in MHA for approval. Applications for extensions/conversions should be made well in advance.
VISA EXTENSION POWERS
1. 15 days VISA extension:
Extension of stay up to 15 days on any type of Visas in emergent cases such as illness, death, non-availability of flights etc, subject to production of confirmed onward journey ticket with applicable Visa fee.
2 One month VISA extension:
Bangladeshi nationals can be granted extension of stay for a maximum period of one month at a time limited to 3 months over and above the period of VISA originally granted by Indian High Commission for the following purposes only.
1. 15 days VISA extension:
Extension of stay up to 15 days on any type of Visas in emergent cases such as illness, death, non-availability of flights etc, subject to production of confirmed onward journey ticket with applicable Visa fee.
3. Three months VISA extension:
Short term extension for cases referred to MHA
FRROs can grant one short term extension, if need be, for a period of 3 months while referring cases to Ministry of Home Affair, Foreigners Division, Jaiselmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi and awaiting orders – this will cover the processing period in MHA for grant of extension in long term VISA case such as employment, business where the first extension is only granted by MHA and the subsequent extension are to be given by the State Govt. /FRROs.
4. Six months VISA extension:
State governments/FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant six months extension to Tibetan and Burmese refugees settled in India. Burmese refugees however; require valid UNHCR Certificate for such extension.
4. Six months VISA extension:
State governments/FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant six months extension to Tibetan and Burmese refugees settled in India. Burmese refugees however; require valid UNHCR Certificate for such extension.
5. One year VISA extension:
a) One year extension of stay can be granted to a Bangladeshi women married to Indian citizen on a year to year basis, provided that they continue to be the wives of an Indian citizen and has nothing adverse against them and their initial case for extension of stay for one year was cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.
b) VISA of foreigner on medical VISA can be extended for a further period of one year on production of medical certificate/advise from reputed/recognized/specialized hospitals in India. Any further extension on medical VISA will be granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.
c) FRROs/District Superintendents of Police(FROs) can grant extension of stay to those on student VISA for one year at a time on production of bonafide certificate from the recognized College/University up to the duration of the course or 5 years whichever is less.
The FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant one year Visa extension to students and research scholar desirous to come to study Yoga, Vedic Culture, Indian system of dance /music at the recognized Institution on year to year basis for a period up to five years subject to due sponsorship by the Institution and nothing adverse against the foreigner.
d) Foreigner who is on a Business/Employment VISA and their first one year extension has already been approved by Ministry of Home Affairs can seek further extension of one year at a time for next three years from their concerned FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police on production of relevant documents for the purpose. Dependent spouse and children of such foreigners can also be granted extension on co-terminus basis.
e) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can extend VISA for one year to foreign journalist accredited to Press Information Bureau.
f) Afghan staying in India on long term basis can seek extensions on year to year basis.
6. Five years VISA extension:
FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant extension of stay up to a period of 5 years in following cases: -
a) Foreigners of Indian origin;
b) Spouses of Indian citizens or foreigners of Indian origin, who are on a long term VISA or when their long term stay has been approved by Ministry of Home Affairs;
c) Children of Indian citizens and children of foreigners of Indian origin can be granted extension of VISA for 5 years.
d) Foreign technicians/experts in India in pursuance of bilateral agreements, and their spouses and children
e) Foreigners residing on valid VISA and residential permit continuously for over 20 years, and their spouses and children
f) Children below 16 years of age.
Grant of Return VISA:
a) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant one return VISA per year to foreigners on student VISA, on genuine grounds such as for visiting parents, relatives during vacation, family emergencies, appearing in exams board etc. In cases of extreme compassion i.e., death/serious illness of close relative/friend, even second return VISA may be granted.
b) Afghan nationals staying in India on yearly extension can seek one return VISA per year from the concerned FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police on genuine ground for 90 days or for 45 days each, twice a year
PIO CARD: PIO Card is “Person of Indian Origin” Card.
All persons of Indian origin who are in possession of the passport of any other country except Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka or any other country specified by the government are eligible for PIO Card if:
He/She had any time held an Indian passport.
He/She or either of his/her parents or grand parents or great grandparents was born in India or permanent resident in India provided neither was at any time a citizen of any other specific country.
He/She is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered less than 1 And 2 above.
Iranian nationals of Indian Origin can be granted PIO card after MHA approval
OCI CARD: OCI Card is “Overseas Citizenship of India” Card.
Foreigners of Indian origin (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) whose present nationality is such that their country of nationality allows dual citizenship in some form or other, are eligible to apply under OCI scheme, if he/she possesses evidence of self or parents or grand parents
*Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of Indian Constitution i.e. 26th January1950.
OR
*Belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15th January1947.
OR
*Being a citizen of India on or after 26th January 1950.
COMPARISON BETWEEN PIO And OCI CARD
What Benefits one is entitled to?
| POI CARD |
OCI CARD |
| (i)Shall not require a separate visa to visit India. |
(i) A multiple entry multi-purpose life long visa for visiting India. |
| (ii) Will be exempt from the requirements of registration if his/her stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days. |
(ii)Exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in India. |
| (iii) In the event of Continuous stay in India exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned FRRO/FRO. |
(iii) Parity with Non resident Indians (NRIs) in respect of economic, financial and educational fields except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights. Any other benefits to OCIs will be notified by the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) under Section 7B(1) of the Citizenship Act,1955. |
| (iv) Parity with NRIs in respect of all facilities available to the later in the economic, financial and educational fields except in maters relating to the acquisition of agricultural/ plantation properties. No parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights. |
|
Does he/she require visa for visiting India?
| POI CARD |
OCI CARD |
| Can visit India without visa for 15 years from the date of issue of PIO card.. |
Can visit India without visa for life long. |
Is he required to register with local police authorities in India?
| POI CARD |
OCI CARD |
| Yes, one time when the stay in India exceeds 180 days for the first time. |
No. |
