FRRO Registration: All you need to know

Sonal Pruthi

15 Feb, 2021

The article presents views over FRRO Registration. FRRO is an abbreviation for Foreigners Regional Registration Offices. The article discusses the importance of FRRO Registration for foreigners. Every foreigner coming to visit India on a student visa to study Yoga, Research, Medicine or have Medical Attendant (MED-X) course and employment requires this form of registration. The Visa is valid for more than 180 days. Individuals require to get registered within 14 days of their arrival irrespective the period of their stay. Even for other forms of visas the Indian Embassy would provide a period of 180 days validity for foreigners.

Other Types of Visas-FRRO Registration

1.  Foreigners visiting India for a long term stay for business and journalist Visa which is valid for more than 180 days would not require the FRRO registration. If the stay is less than 180 days for the foreigner on a single visit, then they do not require the FRRO Registration.
2. If the foreigner intends to stay more than 180 days on a single visit before the expiry of 180 days, then the individual would require to secure this FRRO registration.
3. A foreigner having a tourist visa if re-enters within 60 days, of the last departure, then they must register with the concerned FRRO. They must register themselves with a special endorsement.
4. Children below 16 Years are exempt from FRRO registration if they enter as PIO or OCI visitors.
5. Every Foreign national must visit the concerned FRRO office^[1] for obtaining registration.

Documents Required for FRRO Registration

Documents are required for FRRO registration.  All documents must be provided within 14 days of landing in India. Registration and provision of documents must be done at the nearest FRRO office.

The following documents are required for registration:

1. Original Passport– Where the visa is provided.
2. Photocopy of the Passport– The photocopy of the passport and the visa page should be provided.
3. Photographs– Four photographs have to be provided.
4. Details of Residence– residential stay in India/
5. Test Report– it must include HIV test report from one of the recognized WHO Institutions of the people from the age group of 15 to 60 years, where the Visa to India of foreign national is for more than one year.
6. Marriage Certificate– A copy of marriage certificate. It is for foreign national seeking extension of stay in India marries an Indian.
7. Student Visa– Certificate from the bonafide university/college/ institution for the student.
8. Journalist Visa– Accreditation Certificate from the Press Information Bureau for the journalist.
9. Public Limited Companies- In case of public limited companies, a copy of approval from the department of company affairs where there is the board-level appointment.
10. Joint Venture-In case of a joint venture or collaboration, a copy of approval from India’s Government.
11.  Employment Agreement– In case there is contract or agreement, a copy of permission from the RBI.
12. Employment/Business Visas– An undertaking from the concerned Indian Company for the employment or business visas.

Procedure for FRRO Registrations

The procedure under FRRO registrations as follows:

1. Undertaking– A signed undertaking by the foreign national. The undertaking must incorporate the responsibility towards the activities for his/her stay in India. If any mistake is found, the cost shall be sent back to the individual.
2. Certificate of Registration– The competent authority shall issue the certificate of registration.
3. Registration– The validity of the registration is for once a year.
4. Disembarkation form– At the arrival, foreigners must fill the disembarkation or embarkation forms.
5. Yellow Fever Countries– Come with valid vaccination.

Exemptions under FRRO

The people who are exempted from registration under FRRO are as follows:

1. US Nationals– Holding Visa for 10 years for tourist or business visa provided their continuous stay does not exceed more than six months.
2. Foreigners of Indian Origin– Provided they have five-year multiple entry X visa, where they do not stay in India for more than six months.
3. Foreigners Tourist Visa– Their Visa is for 5 years, where they are actively involved in tourism, travel, trade or visit India for the promotion of tourism.

The facility of Online service under FRRO Registration

The new online system has been introduced for FRRO registration. It is a platform where foreigners can apply online using the e-FRRO application and activate the services through e-mail or by post. The service allows the person to access through remote and no physical presence disrupts the services at the FRRO Registration.

1. The online service of FRRO registration is available at 13 FRRO’s Centers.
2. This has gained access to a portfolio of 27 visa and immigration-related services during the stay in India.
3. The scheme was launched successfully in 2018 and accessible in Benglararu, Mumbai, Chennai, and other cities.   

Conclusion

It can be concluded that FRRO Registration is a mandatory requirement for foreigners to stay in India more than 180 days. Foreign Exchange Regulations are amended to ease the process for a foreign national. It is pertinent to mention that the respective government departments make rules related to registration. The government has eased the process by doing e-process for FRRO registration by making it faceless, cashless, and paperless.

Read our article:What are the things to carry out for an NRI during first visit in India?