Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) and Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) are the group of certain authorities and departments which have special rights to register the foreign nationals who arrives to stay for long term (More than 180 days) in India.
All foreigners or foreigners of Indian Origin visiting India on more than 180 days long term visa whether on Student Visa, Medical Visa, Work or Employment Visa, Research Visa etc. are required to get themselves registered the FRRO or FRO within 14 days of arrival in India at respective office of FRRO where the foreigner intends to stay. However, Pakistan nationals are required to register within 24 hours of their arrival.
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.
Services Provided by FRROs/FROs related to Visa
Registration
Renewal of Registration
Extension of Visa
Conversion of Visa
Entry Conversion from single to multiple entry
Exit Permission
Change of Address
Change of Passport in case of lost
Protected or Restricted Area Permit
Return Visa/ Additional Entry/ NORI
Other Services
Registration of Foreign Nationals in India
Registration by foreign nationals is governed by the provisions in the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992 and instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs from time to time. The registration requirements are presently as follows:
- There is no requirement of registration for a foreign national (Other than Pakistan and Afghanistan nationals) who enters India on a visa valid for a stay in India for a period of 180 days or less.
- A foreign national who enters India on a visa valid for stay in India for a period of 180 days or less and who wishes to stay in India beyond the period of 180 days, is required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days after the expiry of 180 days of his arrival in India.
- A foreign national who enters India on a visa valid for a stay in India for a period of more than 180 days is required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival in India.
- The registration requirements in respect of Pakistan and Afghanistan nationals are given below:
- Pakistan nationals (other than those granted Exemption from Police Reporting (EPR) visas and those coming on Medical visas) are required to register themselves with the DCP/FRO concerned within 24 hours of arrival. In the case of those coming on Medical Visa, they are required to register within 7 days of arrival.
- Afghanistan nationals coming to India with a visa duration of 30 days or less, are exempt from the requirement of registration, provided the visa applicant gives the Indian Mission his/her local address in India. In all other cases, Afghanistan nationals are required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival irrespective of the duration of the visa
For all the visa related services mentioned in para 1 above, the foreign nationals are required to submit the online application forms to the FRROs/FROs concerned under the C-FRO module. Ministry of Home Affairs has circulated a list of mandatory documents to be submitted by the foreign nationals to FRROs/FROs for various visa related services. (This list of mandatory documents have also been placed on the MHA website. (http://boi.gov.in/sites/default/files/ u4/Supporting documents required for Registration.pdf)
After the submission of the application online, the foreign national is required to personally appear before the FRRO/FRO concerned with all requisite documents.
Foreign nationals are then required to visit the office of the FRRO/FRO concerned for getting the Registration Certificate or Residential Permit/endorsement on the Passport with reference to their specific requests.
e-FRRO
e-FRRO is an online mechanism for service delivery without need of visiting FRRO/FRO office. If Specifically called by the FRRO/FRO then only need to take appointment and visit at FRRO/FRO. This Web based application created to provide Faceless, Cashless and Paperless service to the foreigners to registered themselves with user friendly experience.
With this e-FRRO web based service, you can do FRRO Registration, Visa Extension, Visa Conversion, Exit Permit, Change of Address etc. without visiting to FRRO office physically.
If intimation received from FRRO/FRO or in case of exigency/emergency the foreigner can visit the FRRO/FRO office by scheduling the Date and Time for Interview, otherwise no need to visit FRRO/FRO to grant of services.
Steps to get registered through e-FRRO
- 01 Create User Id
- 02 Authentication of User through OTP
- 03 Fill Online Application
- 04 Documents Upload
- 05 Online Fee Payment
- 06 Status Check of Service Granted or Rejected