Stricter In-Country Compliance - Registering Foreign Nationals in India Under the Indian Bureau of Immigration’s general policy

Stricter In-Country Compliance - Registering Foreign Nationals in India

Under the Indian Bureau of Immigration’s general policy all foreign nationals who arrive on a visa valid for more than 180 days and expect to remain in India for more than 180 consecutive days during a single visit or stay, are required to register at the designated registration office in the place of residence. 

 Earlier, employment visa holders intending to remain in India for more than 180 consecutive days were required to register (unless otherwise indicated on their visa endorsement).  However, now all foreign nationals with employment or visas that are valid for more than 180 days must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival in India.

 Accompanying spouses and dependents who intend to reside in India also need to register.  Such individuals now have to submit additional documents at the time of registration.   For instance a spouse on a dependent visa needs to present their original civil marriage certificate authenticated with an Apostille.  In cases where a country does not issue Apostilles, the certificate must be legalised by an appropriate Indian consular post.  Further a dependent spouse also needs to provide a “No work” letter to the FRRO confirming that he or she will not engage in any productive work while resident in India.  Currently, the FRROs are not asking for authenticated birth certificates for dependent children, but this could change with little or no advance notice.

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