Residents' permits

GoanCanuck · Apr 3rd, 2006, 08:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louisa

Hi there,

How do you actually get the resident´s permit? I´d like to have a look around south India and if I really like it, I might want to live there permanently.. but how would I go about getting a resident's permit? I take it that a resident's permit would mean I could live there indefinitely/permanently? Or how exactly does it work?

Louisa

Louisa, you have to stay in India for at least 183 days in one financial year to be eligible for a residents permit.
The Indian financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. The residents permit allows you to stay in India for longer periods as long as the Government of India feels it is alright to do so. The residents permit can be revoked at any time by the Indian government without assigning any reason.

rcopple · Apr 3rd, 2006, 13:33

Is a Residential Permit the same thing as when you register at the FRO office. I have lived here 2 years on a business visa travelled back to the US, but I definitely qualify for the more than 182 days. Also, if you are on a 10 year multiple entry visa, do you have to register within 14 days. On the Visa it says that you only have to register if your stay exceeds 180 days.

I have an Indian driving license, and when I show that to people they assume that I am a resident. The airlines took it and so did the bank to open up an account. Do you think the driving license gives me residential status legally. It has my name and address on it. The driving license has helped out alot. I didnt even need to take any tests, I just showed them my US license and they issued the Indian license. Of course I had to fill out some paperwork and it took a few hours. I dont even think we had to pay an "undocumented payment" to anyone.

Robert

eater · Apr 3rd, 2006, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcopple

I have an Indian driving license, and when I show that to people they assume that I am a resident. The airlines took it and so did the bank to open up an account. I didnt even need to take any tests, I just showed them my US license and they issued the Indian license. Of course I had to fill out some paperwork and it took a few hours. I dont even think we had to pay an "undocumented payment" to anyone.
Robert

Robert: Sorry, I dont know about resident permit....

but your driving license thingy sounds interesting....what does the driving license look like, has your photo? and a size of a credit card? just curious. I will definitely apply for one next time I visit.

rcopple · Apr 3rd, 2006, 18:15

The license looks similar to a US license with the photo card. And even has a holographic symbol. At least this is the case in AP, not sure about elsewhere. It gives me documented proof of residence. So I would assume that it is as good as a residence permit.

Sometimes I forget that I have it though, and I got harassed by KLM airlines because I did not register with the FRO and I had been here about 7-8 months. I went to immigration with my passport and they just stamped it and KLM released my bags. I don't know where the hell KLM gets off telling me that I can't fly without an FRO document. I just found the oldest guy stamping passports in immigration and he put me right through. Can they really make you stay in the country if you don't have these documents?

traceyam · Apr 4th, 2006, 00:21

Approximately how much does a resident permit cost (including "undocumented fees")?

GoanCanuck · Apr 4th, 2006, 00:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by traceyam

Approximately how much does a resident permit cost (including "undocumented fees")?

The cost is very small if no bribes are paid(< $50).

GoanCanuck · Apr 4th, 2006, 00:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcopple

Can they really make you stay in the country if you don't have these documents?

Yes they can and it happens quite a lot. Your drivers licence has no connection with your residents permit and neither does it confer any special privileges on you other than the right to drive a vehicle. In your case because you are eligible for PIO status you fall in a completely different category.

GoanCanuck · Apr 4th, 2006, 00:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcopple

Also, if you are on a 10 year multiple entry visa, do you have to register within 14 days. On the Visa it says that you only have to register if your stay exceeds 180 days.

You have to register within the first 14 days if your stay is going to exceed 180 days. On the 10 year tourist visa you are not eligible to stay more than 180 days continuously in India so the question of registration does not arise.

GoanCanuck · Apr 4th, 2006, 00:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by eater

Robert: Sorry, I dont know about resident permit....

but your driving license thingy sounds interesting....what does the driving license look like, has your photo? and a size of a credit card? just curious. I will definitely apply for one next time I visit.

Eater, just take your Canadian drivers licence to the RTO office in Mumbai and they will issue you an Indian licence after you fill the forms. I do not know whether you have to pay any bribe but I got mine from the RTO office in Goa without any problem.

eater · Apr 4th, 2006, 03:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoanCanuck

Eater, just take your Canadian drivers licence to the RTO office in Mumbai and they will issue you an Indian licence after you fill the forms. .

GCanuck, will do first chance I get after landing sometime this fall !! Not that I will drive there but sounds cool having a driving licence for Mumbai....

.......like having one for driving in Rome.!!

The way Italians are supposed to be driving in Rome

DanielM · Apr 4th, 2006, 04:14

RTO...Road and Transport Office? Can I get some more information on this, please? So all I need to do to get a license is bring my US-DL, show it to them and they will issue it on the spot? Also, can I do this anywhere? I would prefer to do it where I will be staying for the first few months of my upcoming trip, in Patiala, just beucase It must be easier there than in delhi....

rcopple · Apr 4th, 2006, 15:33

GoanCanuck,

You had said "You have to register within the first 14 days if your stay is going to exceed 180 days. On the 10 year tourist visa you are not eligible to stay more than 180 days continuously in India so the question of registration does not arise."

What if you are on a 10 year multiple entry visa, and you are unsure if your stay is going to be more than 180 days. I have been here 2 months and still have not registered nor did I register on my last trip when I stayed for about 7 months and then flew back to the US. The only time immigration has asked for my registration papers is when I was here for about a year and my previous 1 year business visa had expired and I had to apply for an extension of stay. And the transfer papers from Pune to Hyderabad.

Should I register now, or wait until I near the 180 days. And on a business visa do I have to do anything if I am going to exceed 180 days. I would really like to do things properly, but it seems each officer and each office has there own interpretation. Of course I have found that they will see your way for an undocumented payment. Always best to have an Indian friend that can assist you in these matters.

I will probably get the PIO done once I return to the US

Robert

Louisa · Apr 4th, 2006, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcopple

GoanCanuck,
Should I register now, or wait until I near the 180 days. And on a business visa do I have to do anything if I am going to exceed 180 days. I would really like to do things properly, but it seems each officer and each office has there own interpretation. Of course I have found that they will see your way for an undocumented payment. Always best to have an Indian friend that can assist you in these matters.
Robert

What kinds of sums of money are people paying/expecting in undocumented payments? .... out of interest...

GoanCanuck · Apr 4th, 2006, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by rcopple

I have been here 2 months and still have not registered nor did I register on my last trip when I stayed for about 7 months and then flew back to the US.

Robert

Robert, you only have to register once which is in the first 14 days of your first arrival in India. Subsequent arrivals/departures do not require re-registration. Another thing to keep in mind is that as per the law every time you leave India you should notify the concerned authorities. Of course many people don't do this but it only requires one bureacratic officer to make your life totally miserable.

goangoangone · Apr 5th, 2006, 09:20

I'm not certain about this, as I haven't got the Permit in front of me right now, but I think you can leave for a short period without deregistering/reregistering. Maybe 6 or 8 weeks.

Apr 3rd, 2006, 13:33	#17
rcopple Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 12	Foreigner Registration Is a Residential Permit the same thing as when you register at the FRO office. I have lived here 2 years on a business visa travelled back to the US, but I definitely qualify for the more than 182 days. Also, if you are on a 10 year multiple entry visa, do you have to register within 14 days. On the Visa it says that you only have to register if your stay exceeds 180 days. I have an Indian driving license, and when I show that to people they assume that I am a resident. The airlines took it and so did the bank to open up an account. Do you think the driving license gives me residential status legally. It has my name and address on it. The driving license has helped out alot. I didnt even need to take any tests, I just showed them my US license and they issued the Indian license. Of course I had to fill out some paperwork and it took a few hours. I dont even think we had to pay an "undocumented payment" to anyone. Robert

Apr 4th, 2006, 00:21	#20
traceyam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 426	Approximately how much does a resident permit cost (including "undocumented fees")? __________________ "Don't you sometimes wish the arctic was strawberry flavoured?" -- Thermoman

Apr 5th, 2006, 09:20	#30
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,492	I'm not certain about this, as I haven't got the Permit in front of me right now, but I think you can leave for a short period without deregistering/reregistering. Maybe 6 or 8 weeks. __________________ GoanGoan......here

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Apr 3rd, 2006, 18:15	#19
rcopple Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 12	The license looks similar to a US license with the photo card. And even has a holographic symbol. At least this is the case in AP, not sure about elsewhere. It gives me documented proof of residence. So I would assume that it is as good as a residence permit. Sometimes I forget that I have it though, and I got harassed by KLM airlines because I did not register with the FRO and I had been here about 7-8 months. I went to immigration with my passport and they just stamped it and KLM released my bags. I don't know where the hell KLM gets off telling me that I can't fly without an FRO document. I just found the oldest guy stamping passports in immigration and he put me right through. Can they really make you stay in the country if you don't have these documents?

Apr 4th, 2006, 04:14	#26
DanielM Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lucknow/Austin Posts: 45	RTO...Road and Transport Office? Can I get some more information on this, please? So all I need to do to get a license is bring my US-DL, show it to them and they will issue it on the spot? Also, can I do this anywhere? I would prefer to do it where I will be staying for the first few months of my upcoming trip, in Patiala, just beucase It must be easier there than in delhi....

Apr 4th, 2006, 15:33	#27
rcopple Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 12	GoanCanuck, You had said "You have to register within the first 14 days if your stay is going to exceed 180 days. On the 10 year tourist visa you are not eligible to stay more than 180 days continuously in India so the question of registration does not arise." What if you are on a 10 year multiple entry visa, and you are unsure if your stay is going to be more than 180 days. I have been here 2 months and still have not registered nor did I register on my last trip when I stayed for about 7 months and then flew back to the US. The only time immigration has asked for my registration papers is when I was here for about a year and my previous 1 year business visa had expired and I had to apply for an extension of stay. And the transfer papers from Pune to Hyderabad. Should I register now, or wait until I near the 180 days. And on a business visa do I have to do anything if I am going to exceed 180 days. I would really like to do things properly, but it seems each officer and each office has there own interpretation. Of course I have found that they will see your way for an undocumented payment. Always best to have an Indian friend that can assist you in these matters. I will probably get the PIO done once I return to the US Robert

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