Foreigner Registration Regulations (Governance)
Foreigner Registration Regulations (Governance)
The Government of India has announced changes to foreigner registration regulations. Under the new rules, foreigners on visas of up to 180 days must register before their visa period expires if they wish to extend their stay.
Legal Framework - Foreigner Registration in India:
Foreigners Act, 1946: The principal legislation governing entry, stay, and departure of foreigners in India. Grants the Central Government wide powers to regulate movement and restrict activities of foreigners.
Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939: Mandates registration of foreigners who stay in India beyond a specified period.
FRRO: Foreigners Regional Registration Office. Nodal agency for foreigner registration in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai. Under the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs.
FRO (Foreigners Registration Officer): District Superintendent of Police (SP) in non-FRRO cities acts as FRO.
e-FRRO portal: Online portal for registration, visa extension, and other services for foreigners in India. Launched to reduce physical visits.
OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card holders: Exempt from registration requirements, regardless of duration of stay.
Key facts for Prelims:
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, China, Sri Lanka, Iran, and some other nationalities have special/stricter registration requirements (must register within 14 days of arrival).
Most other foreign nationals staying beyond 180 days were required to register. The new rule now brings sub-180-day stays into compliance requirements if extension is sought.
Bureau of Immigration (BoI) is under the Ministry of Home Affairs and manages India's immigration checkpoints at airports, seaports, and land borders.