Foreigner registration in India

Foreigner registration in India is an immigration system used to record information regarding alien visitors in India, In accordance with the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.[1] The system mandates that some foreign nationals over the age of 16 to register themselves and submit additional documentation at the nearest Foreigners Registration Office within a specific time frame when arriving in India. Failure to register can result in fines, imprisonment, and removal from India.

After submission, a resident permit is issued by the Bureau of Immigration, The permit has a validity matching the period of stay specified in the visa, and must be amended if immigration status changes.[1]

Details and exceptions

All foreign nationals possessing a long term visa (more than 180 days) must register within 14 days of their arrival in India, with a few exceptions

  • U.S nationals holding ten-year Tourist/Business Visas provided their continuous stay during each visit does not exceed six months.
  • Foreigners of Indian origin holding five-year multiple entry X visa with an endorsement that "stay should not exceed six months during each visit”.
  • Foreigners holding five-year Tourist Visas, who are actively engaged in tourist/travel trade, desirous of visiting India frequently over extended periods for promotion of tourism, etc., provided that their visa contains an endorsement that "continuous stay should not exceed six months”.[2]

Pakistani citizens must register within 24 hours of arrival in India.[3]

Afghan citizens must register within 7 days of arrival in India.

Foreign nationals who possess Overseas Citizen of India status are exempted from registering in any circumstance.

References

  1. ^ a b "General Instructions for Registration by the Foreigners" (PDF). Bureau of Immigration. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
  2. ^ "Checklist for FRRO Registration Formalities". Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original on 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2025-04-12.
  3. ^ "Registration of Foreign Nationals Visiting India" (PDF). Bureau of Immigration. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
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