Student Visa of 180 days: registration required?

Elfje · Oct 25th, 2009, 17:44

Hello,

I have a question about registration with the FRO. I have a student visa of exactly 180 days, but I am only using about 90 days of it. I study at the University of Pune, where everybody stressed the importance of registration with the FRO within 2 weeks. So, me and my fellow students did that. However, the residence permit was only valid until the 26th of October (tomorrow, yes) and I am leaving India on the 1st of November. My visa goes until the 5th of January 2010. For the last three weeks I have tried many things to get the RP extended. I have been about five times at the FRO and tried everything and waited for long, long hours only to get told off. Now it seems I am making some progress but I'm not sure.

However, I just discovered the little letters on my visa that actually say that only people staying more than 180 days are required to register. So I wonder if anybody can tell me if this is true because this would mean:
1. that I wasted some precious days of my life at the FRO office, but...
2. that I have NO problems!! and only created problems myself!

And also, I would like to know what the consequences would be of having an RP which is 5 days overdate when I board my plane.

Sorry for this long and perhaps confusing message, I hope somebody knows. Thank you SO MUCH in advance!

Nick-H · Oct 25th, 2009, 17:56

No, you were required to register, as a student; it was not a waste of time.

Haylo · Oct 25th, 2009, 17:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elfje

I have a student visa of exactly 180 days, but I am only using about 90 days of it. I study at the University of Pune, where everybody stressed the importance of registration with the FRO within 2 weeks.

Yes, that is correct for those with a student visa.

Quote:

However, the residence permit was only valid until the 26th of October (tomorrow, yes) and I am leaving India on the 1st of November.

Then you must get it extended.

Quote:

I have been about five times at the FRO and tried everything and waited for long, long hours only to get told off. Now it seems I am making some progress but I'm not sure.

Do persist, it really is necessary.

Quote:

However, I just discovered the little letters on my visa that actually say that only people staying more than 180 days are required to register.

That preprinted phrase causes more confusion than you could possibly imagine!

This is from the Indian Immigration Website:

Quote:

To facilitate foreigners, those arriving on ‘Entry ‘ or ‘Business visa’ valid for more than 180 days in duration, can stay without Registration, if each stay does not exceed 180 days

It is a mandatory requirement for all Foreigners arriving on Missionary(M),Student(s), Employment(E),Research(R),Medi cal (M) or Medical Attendant (M X) visa to register themselves within 14 days of their first arrival in India, irrespective of duration of stay.

So, you see, as you're on a student visa, you do have to register, even if you're not staying for 180 days.

Quote:

And also, I would like to know what the consequences would be of having an RP which is 5 days overdate when I board my plane.

If they do check your papers and notice that your registration was expired, you wouldn't be permitted to board your plane.

Getting your registration extended is definitely the way to go. Very best of luck!

Elfje · Oct 25th, 2009, 18:04

Thank you so much for making this clear to me! And I'm also very grateful for your fast reply. Yeah, that little print is confusing!

Oct 25th, 2009, 17:44	#1
Elfje Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Groningen, The Netherlands Posts: 3	Student Visa of 180 days: registration required? Hello, I have a question about registration with the FRO. I have a student visa of exactly 180 days, but I am only using about 90 days of it. I study at the University of Pune, where everybody stressed the importance of registration with the FRO within 2 weeks. So, me and my fellow students did that. However, the residence permit was only valid until the 26th of October (tomorrow, yes) and I am leaving India on the 1st of November. My visa goes until the 5th of January 2010. For the last three weeks I have tried many things to get the RP extended. I have been about five times at the FRO and tried everything and waited for long, long hours only to get told off. Now it seems I am making some progress but I'm not sure. However, I just discovered the little letters on my visa that actually say that only people staying more than 180 days are required to register. So I wonder if anybody can tell me if this is true because this would mean: 1. that I wasted some precious days of my life at the FRO office, but... 2. that I have NO problems!! and only created problems myself! And also, I would like to know what the consequences would be of having an RP which is 5 days overdate when I board my plane. Sorry for this long and perhaps confusing message, I hope somebody knows. Thank you SO MUCH in advance!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Tourist visa registration possible these days? Change visa classification in India?	~mira~	Indian Visa and Passport Questions	100	Nov 2nd, 2009 00:39
Help! Is It 180 Days Or 6 Months?	ricksagoo	Indian Visa and Passport Questions	6	Sep 14th, 2009 00:58
visa 6 months is not 6 months but 180 days, how to extend?	lindalucia	Indian Visa and Passport Questions	10	Feb 20th, 2009 00:27
180 days overdone at once on tourist visa - what is next?	kishori_ray	Indian Visa and Passport Questions	17	Nov 17th, 2006 22:15

Oct 25th, 2009, 17:56	#2
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,213	No, you were required to register, as a student; it was not a waste of time.

Oct 25th, 2009, 18:04	#4
Elfje Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Groningen, The Netherlands Posts: 3	Thank you so much for making this clear to me! And I'm also very grateful for your fast reply. Yeah, that little print is confusing!