Advance applications advised for visa extensions, residence permit renewals

What is the change? The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) website is advising foreigners to apply for visa extensions and residence permit renewals at least two weeks in advance.

What does the change mean? While the FRRO website advises that applications for visa extensions and residence permit renewals should be filed at least two weeks in advance of visa expiration dates, it is highly advisable that the applications be filed well before then, since applications are accepted as far as 60 days in advance of the expiration dates.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Visa extension and residence permit renewals.

Background: The e-FRRO service, which was introduced in October 2018 in all Indian states, made online applications mandatory. It was originally introduced to improve overall efficiency and shorten processing times, but there have been a number of online processing delays which have impacted business schedules and travel plans of employers and employees. FRRO has responded with the new advisory to ensure sufficient time to process the requests.

Analysis & Comments: It is now highly recommended that visa extension applications and residence permit renewals be filed well in advance of the visa and permit expiration dates. Employees and dependents are reminded that once the electronic application is filed, they must stay in India until their residence permit or certificate is issued, or their visa extended, as their presence can be tracked through their passport details, which are entered into the system at airport immigration departure points.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.