Indian visa registration requirements - stay duration or visa duration?
I've just got a new visa for India, which contains the Endorsement:
STAY DURING EACH VISIT NOT TO EXCEED 180 DAYS
Then, just below that, it says:
Registration Required within 14 days of arrival in India for Visas Valid for more than 180 days
My visa is a 2 year, multiple entry tourist+business visa
.
It isn't clear to me if I need to register or not? Does the registration requirements apply for visas which are valid for stays of >180 days? (Which mine isn't) Or does it apply to visas where the Date of Expiry is >180 days from the Date of Issue? (Which mine is)
If my visa does need registration, would that be on all trips? Or only trips which last more than 14 days?
Best Answer
According to clause b in this document on India's Bureau of Immigration website
Foreigners other than those mentioned above will not be required to get themselves registered, even if they have entered India on a long term visa provided their continuous stay in India does not exceed 180 days. If the intention of the foreigner is to stay in India for more than 180 days, he/she should get himself/ herself registered well before the expiry of 180 days from the date of arrival with the FRRO/FRO concerned.
So it looks like only Pakistan and Afghan nationals need to get registered if they stay is less than 180 days for long term Visas.
Then there is a another clause (clause d) later in the document mentioning about Business Visas
Registration is also required in the case of visa less than 180 days and if there is special endorsement "for registration required". However foreigners entering on Entry(X) and Business visas valid for more than 180 days are required to register with the FRRO, FRO if they continuously intend to stay for more than 6 months i.e. more than 180 days on each visit. (But exempting visa bearing endorsement as "Stay not to exceed 180days hence no registration required).
Assuming you are a UK citizen (based on your profile) and there is no special endorsement on your Visa as mentioned above, you wouldn't need to go through registration if your stay is less than 180 days during each visit.
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How long can you stay on Indian visa?
The Indian e-Visa is issued for multiple entries for visits with a duration of stay up to 90 days from date of first entry for tourist purposes, and up to 180 days for business purposes. Canada, Japan, UK and USA nationals are allowed stays of up to 180 days for tourist visits.What is stay visa in India?
A long-term 5 year Indian Visa enables people of Indian origin to come and stay in the country for a period of 5 years. It is ideal for any such individual who wishes to reconnect with India, and is not provided to individuals who are not of Indian origin.How long you can stay after applying for visa extension in India?
2020 up to the date on which all India travel restrictions are lifted, will have their visas extended without any cost for a period of 30 days after these international touring restrictions are over. You can request this extension through an online application on India's e-FRRO portal.How long can a foreigner stay in India on a tourist visa?
provided their visas contains an endorsement that "continuous stay should not exceed 180 days during each visit". PIO card holders, if their continuous stay during each visit does not exceed 180 days. Foreigners below the age of 16 years.Indian visa expired? How to renew expired Indian visa? How to get Indian exit permit? #efrro #frro
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Answer 2
My friends on long stay visas in India (either student or work visa) DID have to get registered with the FRO within 14 days of arrival to the country because they intended to remain in the country for more than 6 months.
I had a tourist visa for 6 months and didn't have to get registered. As far as i was told it is the duration of your stay (not your visa) what matters. In any case I strongly advise you to go to the FRO even if in doubt. Indian authorities are not particularly known for their efficiency and they can effectively preventing you from exiting the country for this.
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