registration

suzannecurran33

Im British with a one year visa... (it says I have to leave the country every 180 days)... but also I have to register myself with the fro within 14 days if I have a visa valid for more than 6 months... I want to stay in india for as long as possible (indefinately)... does anyone know anything about this.. or about getting my visa changed to a residential permit? Is there an FRO in Panjim, or in mumbai airport. Do you know the address/number/ timings? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

machadinha

Yes, they're standard phrasings; meant, in this and for the latter case, to cover employment visas and such. On a tourist visa, you won't be able to stay for longer than 180 days; ergo, no registration required.

Not possible, and there is no "process towards naturalization" as you mentioned in one of your other posts on the same thing. (Please keep your related posts on one subject together, it just gets confusing to all including yourself if you don't. This is why multi-posting is not allowed here.) Nor does there exist any fabled "residential permit" as far as I know, this is something made up, or misphrased, by expats.

Re: Mumbai airport, don't imagine the FRRO to be something you walk into and out of in a matter of minutes if you do need their services.

The FRRO holds offices in India's metros; they will otherwise be represented by the district police (FRO). See also http://www.immigrationindia.nic.in/ for more, and for addresses and other contact info. Anyway, it doesn't look like you'll be needing them.

There is a *lot* to read on these issues on this site already. Aside from the search engine found at top right of most pages, most any thread here will feature a listing of "similar threads" at bottom of page, just like this one does, just scroll down for it; this can be a handy way to quickly search on on a given theme. Opening those, they'll feature such a listing at bottom again, etc.

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Nick-H

Three posts, Suzanne?

My head hurts!

Haylo

If you have lived legitimately in India for something like 10 of the last 12 years (I'm too tired to look up the exact number) then you can apply for Indian citizenship.

Not only that, but it would be an absurd place to put an office like that, as only people with flights leaving in the next five hours are allowed into Indian airports!

The OP has already asked these same questions on other existing threads which already clearly and concisely explain the situation.

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dzibead

There actually is such a thing, but it doesn't give you permission to stay in India. It's just a certification given to people who already have the right to stay long-term (e.g., because they have an employment visa, student visa, or some other type of visa that allows a long-term continuous stay)the right to do certain things, like get a gas hook-up, or pay lower entry fees to certain monuments etc., that non-residents, like people on tourist visas, can't do. The permit, which is obtained after registration with the FRO/FRRO is also a way for the Indian govt to keep track of long-term foreigners who are in the country. But it is not a visa and in and of itself does not confer the right to enter into and stay in India for any period of time.

Since we've all told suzanne this at least three times, I hope she is getting the picture. But I'm done with the subject.

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Haylo

Before you go, do you know whether you can get a train from Delhi to Agra?

machadinha

Well, thanks for clarification nonetheless. Phew, those years on this board have certainly helped me to get a finer understanding of the issues

(Haylo above, too. But then

would seem to make it a classic chicken-and-egg thing no, that if anything would apply to very few indeed?)

Haylo

Yes, I am guessing that it applies to very few people, perhaps those in very long term continuous employment in India.

However, I imagine that even fewer people who qualify take up the option because you cannot gain Indian citizenship without renouncing your existing citizenship(s) .

Having to go through the onerous task of applying as an Indian national for a visa every time you wanted to return home to visit your family and friends must put a lot of people off taking that route, and I don't recall ever reading of a single person on here who has done it...

Nick-H

Neither do I. And, nor would I; I'm still hoping to get some pension out of the UK government!

It might be, though, that there are more than a few who would qualify, and that thinking otherwise could be a Western-traveller-centric view. How about Tibetan refugees?

I also suspect that citizenship of this country is not handed out on the basis of a tick list. I suspect it may not be attainable without considerable clout and influence.

All this is wild guessing --- it would be very interesting to hear from any person who has been granted Indian citizenship by registration, naturalisation, etc etc.

Haylo

Yes, very good point, and their acquiring Indian citizenship would make foreign travel far easier for them.

That may be the case, after all this is India!

The necessary conditions and "tick list" are set out in law and do seem pretty clear cut though. http://www.mha.nic.in/citizenship/acquisition.htm

Nick-H

Yes, indeed, but whatever the entitlement, applying is one thing, getting is quite another.

omnii

after 6 months just catch a cheap flight to a neighboring country like Sri Lanka or Nepal and get your visa restamped for another 6 months.

Nick-H

Your post is meaningless: please read the thread properly.

omnii

I read the original post. and there is no such thing as a "residential permit" which allows you to stay in the country indefinitly. He still has to leave the country one way or the other after the visa expires. I also hold a 10 year multiple entry tourist visa which says that I have to register if i stay beyond 180 days. I don't know what this "registration" is all about, as when i enter the country they stamp my passport for 6 months. Does it allow you to stay over the 6 month period? I'm confused.

Nick-H

In this context only, you are right. However, visas do not re-stamped.

The question has been answered by people with a great deal more experience. Suggest you benefit from that experience too.