Research visa, multiple states

shodhkarta · Oct 26th, 2009, 02:49

Hi. I have a 12 month research visa, and will be starting the FRO process once I arrive in India. I understand that I need to register in the City/District of my "institutional affiliation" (the university that is sponsoring me). Here's where it get's a little tricky though...While I am affiliated with one institute, my research is in multiple states.

According to the fine print on the the Foreigner Registration form, I can apply (under Paragraph 10(2) of the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1939) for a "travel permit valid for a specified period between specified places and or areas." Supposedly this travel permit makes it unnecessary to re-register in different Districts as I move around.

Has anyone heard of this, and is it good idea? My gut says it might be more trouble than it's worth, and I should just go for the regular old registration minus the travel permit (I don't want to open myself up to complications and vagaries of interpretation at the FRO). But I guess it would put my mind at rest to have the travel permit. Any thoughts or advice? How strict are they anyway about travel outside of the District once you are registered?

Thanks!

federica · Oct 26th, 2009, 04:35

I have a friend who was in the same situation as you are. She registered with the FRO in the place of her affiliation, no travel permit.

Usually the police comes in the first days/weeks to see you at this institute and ask some questions. If you're not there, it can create some troubles. That happened in her case, as she was already travelling, but it could get sorted out.

For later trips the responsible person at the FRO suggested to report her trips, at least if the duration is more than 4 weeks.

I'd suggest to deal openly with the FRO and ask whether (or when) this travel permit is required in your case.

Haylo · Oct 26th, 2009, 05:31

Presumably a major factor would be whether you are travelling to other areas for only a day or two, or for months at a time.

shodhkarta · Oct 26th, 2009, 11:31

Thanks! So what did your friend do when they showed up and she was already traveling?

Quote:

Originally Posted by federica

I have a friend who was in the same situation as you are. She registered with the FRO in the place of her affiliation, no travel permit.

Usually the police comes in the first days/weeks to see you at this institute and ask some questions. If you're not there, it can create some troubles. That happened in her case, as she was already travelling, but it could get sorted out.

For later trips the responsible person at the FRO suggested to report her trips, at least if the duration is more than 4 weeks.

I'd suggest to deal openly with the FRO and ask whether (or when) this travel permit is required in your case.

federica · Oct 26th, 2009, 17:28

The organization of her affiliation could sort everything out, informing about her journey and where she can be found at the moment.

Whenever you're travelling and staying in a hotel/guest house, you have to fill a form and can be found easily, so it's really better to cooperate with the FRO/police.

indiabound2010 · Nov 10th, 2009, 10:14

I don't have an answer to your original posting -- but I was wondering if you could tell me about the process for getting your research visa. How long did it take to get your 12-month research visa? Were there any problems or delays with your application?

I know that they recently changed the process for issuing research visas, but I'm not sure how that's affecting current applications. I keep hearing different stories about the research visa process. I just submitted mine and am hoping it gets processed quickly!

Oct 26th, 2009, 02:49	#1
shodhkarta Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: U.S. Posts: 2	Research visa, multiple states Hi. I have a 12 month research visa, and will be starting the FRO process once I arrive in India. I understand that I need to register in the City/District of my "institutional affiliation" (the university that is sponsoring me). Here's where it get's a little tricky though...While I am affiliated with one institute, my research is in multiple states. According to the fine print on the the Foreigner Registration form, I can apply (under Paragraph 10(2) of the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1939) for a "travel permit valid for a specified period between specified places and or areas." Supposedly this travel permit makes it unnecessary to re-register in different Districts as I move around. Has anyone heard of this, and is it good idea? My gut says it might be more trouble than it's worth, and I should just go for the regular old registration minus the travel permit (I don't want to open myself up to complications and vagaries of interpretation at the FRO). But I guess it would put my mind at rest to have the travel permit. Any thoughts or advice? How strict are they anyway about travel outside of the District once you are registered? Thanks!

Oct 26th, 2009, 05:31	#3
Haylo Structural Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Middle East and heading Easter Posts: 5,804	Presumably a major factor would be whether you are travelling to other areas for only a day or two, or for months at a time. __________________ The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful - E.E. Cummings, poet (1894-1962)

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Oct 26th, 2009, 04:35	#2
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	I have a friend who was in the same situation as you are. She registered with the FRO in the place of her affiliation, no travel permit. Usually the police comes in the first days/weeks to see you at this institute and ask some questions. If you're not there, it can create some troubles. That happened in her case, as she was already travelling, but it could get sorted out. For later trips the responsible person at the FRO suggested to report her trips, at least if the duration is more than 4 weeks. I'd suggest to deal openly with the FRO and ask whether (or when) this travel permit is required in your case.

Oct 26th, 2009, 17:28	#5
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 1,774	The organization of her affiliation could sort everything out, informing about her journey and where she can be found at the moment. Whenever you're travelling and staying in a hotel/guest house, you have to fill a form and can be found easily, so it's really better to cooperate with the FRO/police.

Nov 10th, 2009, 10:14	#6
indiabound2010 Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 4	I don't have an answer to your original posting -- but I was wondering if you could tell me about the process for getting your research visa. How long did it take to get your 12-month research visa? Were there any problems or delays with your application? I know that they recently changed the process for issuing research visas, but I'm not sure how that's affecting current applications. I keep hearing different stories about the research visa process. I just submitted mine and am hoping it gets processed quickly!