Facilities & Services
A. Brief Description
Bureau of Immigration (BoI) was setup in 1971 by Government of India to undertake Immigration facilities in the country. BoI is headed by Commissioner of Immigration and assisted by FRROs for immigration facilitation service at airports and work relating to registration of foreigners under various Acts and Rules. Altogether, there are 82 Immigration Check Posts all over India, catering to international traffic. Out of these, 27 ICPs are functioning under the BoI, while the remaining ones are being managed by the concerned State Governments. At present, there are 12 FFROs in major cities i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Calicut, Cochin, Goa & Trivandrum and Chief Immigration officer in Ahmedabad. At remaining places District Superintendent of Police (SP)/District Police Chief Officer functions as FRO to facilitate foreigners.
To strengthen the Immigration system, a modernization programme viz. Mission Mode Project (MMP), Immigration Visa Foreigners’ Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) has been undertaken by MHA/BoI, with the assistance of National Informatics Center (NIC). Under the project, all the Indian Missions, Immigration Checkposts (ICPs), FFRO/FRO offices are being computerized and networked to develop a secure and integrated delivery framework to facilitate legitimate travel.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office is the primary agency to regulate the registration, movement, stay, departure and also for recommending the extension of staying in India. In other places, the Superintendent of Police (SP)/District Police Chief of the Districts are registration Officers for foreigners. The State Registration Officer in the State Capital functions as the liaison office between the Foreigners’ Registration Officers (FROs) and the government.
B. Contacts
FRRO OFFICE ADDRESS:
O/o FRRO, 2
ndFLOOR,
AIRLINES BUILDING,
CIAL NEDUMBASSERY, COCHIN AIRPORT PO,
KOCHI-683111 KERALA. TEL: +91484-2611652
EMAILS:
frro.cochin@nic.in frrococ@nic.in
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OFFICER’S DESIGNATION
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CURRENT OCCUPANT
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CONTACT NO
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)
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SRI. ANOOP KRISHNAN IPS
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+91 484 2611654
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Assistant Director/Port Registration Officer (PRO)
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+91484-2611652 |
Cochin International Airport has been taken over from Kerala State Police by BoI as per Government Order (GO (MS) No.39/2012/Home dtd: 25.1.2012) on “as is where is” basis w.e.f. 31.01.2012. On the basis of this order Sri. K. Rajagopalan A D, has taken over the charge of FRRO on 19.5.2012 (FN) and Sri. S.K. Nair AD, has taken over the charge of Port Registration Officer on 31/07/2012(FN). Sri. Anoop Krishnan IPS, is the present Foreigners Regional Registration Officer of Cochin who took over the charge on 16.05.2013. One ACP (DySP) / AFRRO (DICO) is in-charge of both sides of Immigration. Two Inspectors are posted for one day duty at arrival and departure respectively.
C. Major Roles, Services and Responsibilities
1. IMMIGRATION CONTROL SYSTEMS
Immigration check is conducted for all passengers at the time of arrival and departure.
The passports are duly stamped at arrival as well as at departure. Passengers should ensure that their passports are duly stamped before leaving the immigration counter. All international passengers are required to fill-up respective forms.
The following information is required to be provided by the passengers in these cards:
- Name and Sex
- Date of Birth, Nationality
- Passport Details viz. Number, Date of Issue
- Address in India
- Occupation
- Flight Number, Date of Arrival / Date of Boarding & port of Final Destination
- Countries visited during last six days for arriving Indians
- Purpose to Visit abroad
If inadvertently, an immigration stamp is not affixed by the counter officer at the check post, the passenger may immediately contact the concerned FRRO/FRO/SSP and get the same affixed on his/her passport to avoid inconvenience at the time of next travel abroad.
2. FOREIGNERS REGISTRATION
All foreigners (including foreigners of Indian origin) visiting India on a long term (more than 180 days) with Student Visa/ Medical Visa/Research Visa /Employment Visa are required to get themselves registered with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO)/ Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) concerned having jurisdiction over the place where the foreigner intends to stay, within 14 days of arrival. However, Pakistan nationals are required to register within 24 hours of their arrival. All Afghan nationals are required to register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival except those Afghan nationals who arrive India on a visa valid for 30 days or less provided the Afghan national concerned gives his/her local address in India to the Indian Mission/FRRO/FRO. The Afghan nationals who are issued visas with exemption from police reporting are exempt from Police reporting as well as exit permission provided they leave within the visa validity period.
Foreigners other than those mentioned above are not required to get themselves registered, even if they have entered India on a long term visa provided their continuous stay in India does not exceed 180 days. If the intention of the foreigner is to stay in India for more than 180 days, he/she should get himself/herself registered well before the expiry of 180 days from the date of arrival with the FRRO/FRO concerned.
Foreigners (including minors above 16 years of age) have to report in person or through an authorized representative to the appropriate Registration Officer for registration. No registration is required for children below the age of 16 years.
Registration is also required in the case of visa less than 180 days and if there is special endorsement “for registration required”. However foreigners entering on Entry(X) and Business visas valid for more than 180 days are required to register with the FRRO, FRO if they continuously intend to stay for more than 6 months i.e. more than 180 days on each visit. (But exempting visa bearing endorsement as “Stay not to exceed 180days hence no registration required.
3. PIO/ OCI CARD
a. PIO (Person Of Indian Origin) Card
The new PIO Card Scheme 2002, is in operation since 15th September, 2002. All person of Indian origin who are in possession of the passport of any other country except Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Sri Lanka or any other country specified by the government, are eligible for PIO Card if:
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He/She had at any time held an Indian passport.
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He/She or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in India or permanent resident of India provided neither was at any time a citizen of any other specific country.
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He/She is a spouse of a citizen of India or a person of Indian origin covered under 1 & 2 above.
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Iranian nationals of Indian Origin can be granted PIO card after MHA approval.
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Fee: For all adults a PIO Card is issued after charging a fee of Rupees 15,000/- and for minors i.e. below 18 years of age Rupees 7,500/- is levied as fees. All PIO Cards are valid for 15 years.
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Authority to which application is to be made: -
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Application for PIO Card is to be made in the prescribed format (Available with FRRO office or downloaded from www.mha.gov.in )
Documentary evidence of being person of Indian origin to be produced.
An application for issue of a PIO Card can be made at Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident. In case applicant is already in India on Long Term Visa (more than one year), then application for PIO can be made for issue of a PIO Card to the following authorities:
(A) Those residing in: -
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(a)
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Delhi
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, Level-II, East Block-VIII, Sector-I, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066
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(b)
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Mumbai
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 3rd Floor, Special Branch Building, Badruddin Tayabji Lane, Behind St. Xaviers College, Mumbai-400001
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(c)
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Kolkata
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 237, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Road, Kolkata-700020
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(d)
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Amritsar
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer, 123-D, Ranjeet Avenue, Amritsar-143001
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(e)
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Chennai
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Foreigners Regional Registration Officer,Shastri Bhavan, 26, Haddows Road, Chennai-600006
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(B) Foreigners who are residing elsewhere in India other than (A) ,will have to submit their application to the:
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Joint Secretary (Foreigners), Ministry of Home Affairs, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi-110011
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Documents required to be presented at the time of submission of application for PIO:
- Application of PIO Card can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs i.e. www.mha.nic.in
- Photocopy of the foreign passport presently held (Front page i.e. photo page and VISA page). Photocopy of the initial VISA, which has been registered with FRRO/FRO cum Superintendent of Police.
- Photocopy of all the pages of Registration certificate issued by the FRRO/FRO office.
- Four recent passport size photographs.
- Demand Draft/Pay Order in favour of FRRO, Delhi, for Rs.15000/- in case of individuals above 18 years and Rs.7500/- in the case of applicants below 18 years of age.
- Two photocopies of Demand Draft/Pay Order.
- Proof of Indian Origin:
i) Previous Indian Passport OR
ii) Birth Certificate and parents’/grandparents/great grandparents Indian passport OR
iii) Marriage certificate and copy of spouse’s Indian passport
Note: All Documents to be presented in duplicate and also shown in original.
Registration:
PIO card holder will be exempted from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days. In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer. For minor no registration is required on any type of visa. An amount of US$ 30 is charged as penal fee towards late registration. Every foreigner at the time of Registration, shall furnish, such information in registration report, as may be in his possession for the purpose of satisfying the Registration Officer and shall, on being required, shall sign the registration report in the presence of the said officer and shall thereupon be entitled to receive from the said officer a certificate of registration in Part III of Form A:
The following documents are required to be submitted at the time of registration.
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Registration form in triplicate (3 Copies).
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4 Recent passport size photographs.
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Copy of PIO Card
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Copy of passport/VISA/arrival immigration stamp.
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Copy of valid and notarised Lease/Rent agreement OR Copy of C-Form from the Hotel OR copy of recent electricity/telephone bill along with the letter from the landlord, towards proof of residence.
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Duly filled in Registration Book (Upto page 8).
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Passport in original.
Benefits Available To A PIO Card Holder
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PIO card holder shall not require a separate VISA to visit India. The card is valid for 15 years.
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PIO card holder will be exempt from the requirement of registration if his stay on any single visit in India does not exceed 180 days. In the event of continuous stay in India of the PIO card holder exceeding 180 days, he/she shall have to get himself/herself registered within 30 days of the expiry of 180 days with the concerned Foreigners Regional Registration Officer/Foreigners Registration Officer. For minor no registration is required on any type of visa.
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The PIO card holder doesn’t require a student VISA for undertaking studies in India and similarly no Employment VISA will be required for taking up employment in India.
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The PIO card holder shall enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of facility available to the latter in the economic, financial and education fields except in matters relating to acquisition of agriculture plantation/properties. However, no parity shall be allowed in the sphere of political rights.
b. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) CARD
Foreigners of Indian origin (except Pakistan and Bangladesh) whose present nationality is such that their country of nationality allows dual citizenship in some form or other, are eligible to apply under OCI scheme, if he/she possesses evidence of self or parents or grandparents:
Being eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of commencement of Indian Constitution i.e. 26.01.1950.
OR
Belonging to a territory that became a part of India after 15.01.1947.
OR
Being a citizen of India on or after 26.01.1950.
Authority to which application is to be made: -
Application for OCI Card is available online on the Ministry of Home Affairs website i.e. www.mha.nic.in which can be submitted to:
(A) Indian Mission in the country where the applicant is ordinarily resident, when such foreigner is resident outside India.
(B) Concerned FRROs having jurisdiction for processing the applications which are as under:
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Sl NO
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FRRO Office
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State/UTs
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Remarks
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1
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Delhi
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Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
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States/UTs under the jurisdiction of FRRO Lucknow would be dealt by FRRO Delhi, till March 31, 2013
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2
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Amritsar
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Punjab, J&K, Chandigarh
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3
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Lucknow
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UP, Bihar, Jharkhand
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w.e.f. April 04,2013
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4
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Kolkata
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West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura
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5
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Hyderabad
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Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh
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6
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Chennai
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Tamilnadu, Puduchery, Andaman & Nicobar
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7
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Bangalore
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Karnataka
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8
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Mumbai
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Maharashtra, M.P., Gujrat, Daman & Diu
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States/UTs under the jurisdiction of FRRO Goa would be dealt by FRRO Mumbai, till further orders.
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9
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Trivandrum
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Respective Jurisdiction L&M Islands & Kerala
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Excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs
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10
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Calicut
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Respective jurisdiction & Kerala
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Excluding jurisdiction of other FRROs
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11
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Cochin
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Respective jurisdiction & Kerala
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Respective jurisdiction & Kerala
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12
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Goa
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Goa , Dadra & Nagar Haveli
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w.e.f. April 01, 2013, by FRRO Mumbai till further orders.
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Note: Processing for applications pertaining to jurisdiction of FRRO, Goa would be undertaken by FRRO- Mumbai till further orders.
Documents required to be enclosed at the time of submission of application for OCI:
Application of OCI Card can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of Home Affairs i.e. www.mha.nic.in .Form XIX,Part A can be filled online and printout taken, while Form XIX ,Part B has to be filled by hand.
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Photocopy of Passport and valid VISA.
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Proof of Indian Origin –
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Previous Indian Passport OR
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Applicant Birth Certificate
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Any other documentary proof
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In case of PIO Card holder - Copy of PIO Card and Copy of previous Indian passport/Birth Certificate and parents Indian passport.
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Copy of Registration Certificate.
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Application with the self-attested documents to be submitted in duplicate along with the following:
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Demand Draft of Rs. 15000/- (for non- PIO Card holders) and Rs. 1400/- (for PIO Card holders) and Rs. 8000/- (for minor PIO Card holder), for OCI Misc. Services Rs. 1400/- (for Reissue of OCI Card), Rs. 5500/- (for loss/damages of OCI Card) in favour of ‘Pay & Accounts Officer (Secretariat) Ministry of Home Affairs with 4 recent passport size photographs.
Benefits available to an OCI Card holder:
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Grant of multiple entry, multipurpose lifelong VISA to visit India.
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Exemption from registration with FRRO/FRO for any length of time.
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Parity with NRI's in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters relating to acquisition of agricultural/plantation properties.
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Note: In case of minor children, OCI will be issued, if either of the parents is holding OCI Card or eligible for OCI.
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OCI Card holders who have entered in India without U visa sticker may seek exit permission/extension of TLF from FRRO/FROs.
1. Eligibility: A. Tourist Visa-on-Arrival (TVoA) shall be granted to citizens of a numbero of countries (visit
https://boi.gov.in for details)
Whose sole objective of visiting India is recreation, sight-seeing, casual visit to meet friends or relatives, short duration medical treatment or casual business visit etc. and no other purpose/ activity;
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Who does not have a residence or occupation in India;
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Who holds a passport with minimum six months validity, and a re-entry .permit if that is required under the law of the country of nationality of the applicant;
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Who is a person of assured financial standing ( the production of a return ticket and availability of sufficient money to spend during his stay in India may be considered sufficient for this purpose).
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Who is not a person-non-grata to the Government of India;
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Who is not considered an undesirable person and is not the subject of a black list or any warning circular or other restrictive list;
Note:
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A citizen from the above-named countries who wants to come to India for a longer duration should be granted a visa of the appropriate category by the Indian Mission/Post concerned.
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This facility shall not be available to the citizens of above-named countries if the person or either of his/ her parents or grandparents (paternal or maternal) was born in , and was permanently resident in Pakistan. Such persons can visit India after obtaining appropriate visa from the Indian Mission/ Post concerned.
2. Validity : A Tourist Visa-on-Arrival will be valid for entry and stay into India within the period of its validity subject to conditions specified. The Immigration officer may grant single entry Tourist Visa-on-Arrival up to 30 days to nationals of Finland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Laos, Myanmar and Indonesia.
3. Conditions for Tourist Visa-on-Arrival : Tourist Visa-on-Arrival shall be non-extendable and non-convertible. At the time of issue of Tourist Visa-on-Arrival, the Immigration officer must make it clear to the foreigner that a Tourist Visa-on-Arrival can neither be extended nor converted to any other kind visa during his/her stay in India except in the following circumstances and with the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs:
a) Tourist Visa-on-Arrival may be converted to 'X' (Entry) Visa if a foreigner who has come to India on Tourist Visa-on-Arrival marries an Indian national during the validity of his/her Tourist Visa-on-Arrival. Such conversion would be considered subject to fulfilment of following conditions:
1. Submission of a copy of a Registered Marriage Certificate, and
2. Report from the concerned FRO/FRRO about their marital status which will, inter-alia, include his/her antecedents, confirmation about their living together and security clearance.
b) Tourist Visa-on-Arrival of the foreigners who fall ill after their entry into India rendering them unfit to travel and require specialized medical treatment may be converted to Medical visa if they are eligible for grant of Medical Visa and medical certificate is obtained from the government / government recognized hospitals. In such a case, Tourist Visa-on-Arrival of the attendant accompanying the foreigner( whose Tourist Visa-on-Arrival is converted to Medical Visa) may also be converted into Medical Attendant[Med-X] visa co-terminus with the Medical visa of the Foreigner.
4. Fee for Tourist Visa-on-Arrival : A fee of US $60/- or an equivalent amount in Indian rupees per passenger (including children) will be charged from each foreigner for the grant of Tourist Visa-on-Arrival.
5. Repeat Visit: Tourist Visa-on-Arrival shall be allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a foreigner with a minimum gap of two months between each visit.
The Tourist Visa-on-Arrival facility shall not be applicable to holders of Diplomatic/ Official passports.
6. Required documents:
6. Required documents:
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1
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Passport with 6 month validity
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2
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2 Passport size photographs
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3
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Photo copy of passport
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4
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Hotel booking confirmation if possible
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5
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On production of Return Ticket
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VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR PAKISTAN NATIONALS
1.Eligibility: Visa on Arrival for a single entry, 45 days stay, maximum up to 5 places will be available at Attari Immigration Point to a Pakistani national who is more than 65 years old and is crossing Attari border on foot and:
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Whose sole objective of visiting India is to meet friends or relatives (individuals who want to avail business, medical, conference or pilgrim visa should apply to the respective Mission/Post for the requisite visa);
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Who does not have a residence or occupation in India;
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Who holds a passport with minimum validity of six months;
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Who is not a persona-non-grata to the government of India;
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Who is not considered an undesirable person and is not the subject of a black list or any warning circular or other restrictive list; and
Note:
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A Pakistani national of age more than 65 years, who wants to travel to India for a longer duration, should apply for a visa in appropriate category at the Indian Mission/Post concerned.
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A Pakistani national desiring to avail this facility should fill the prescribed Immigration Card at Attari Immigration Point and present-
(a) Copy of his/her National Identity Card (NIC) with translation in English;
(b) Copy of the utility bill as proof of residence;
(c) His/Her Pakistani Passport valid for not less than six months;
(d) Photocopy of the passport;
(e) Two passport-size photographs;
(f) Confirmation of booking in case he/she is to stay in a hotel in India.
(g) Name and address of the person he/she is visiting in India.
(h) Sponsorship certificate (click here to download) (duly attested by the Authorized Officer in India) taking responsibility for the bonafides and good conduct of the Pakistani nationals. DM/SP/SDM/Tehsildar/BDO/SHO/Group ''A'' officers of the Central and State Government/Principal of Government college/Principal or Head Master of Government school are authorized for this purpose.
(i) Pakistani nationals who desire to avail Visa on Arrival shall be required to fill the on-line visa form on the website (http://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/) and carry a printout of the same when they come to ICP Attari.
2. Validity: The Immigration Officer may grant single entry Visa-on-Arrival upto 45 days. Since all individuals, more than 65 years are exempted from Police Reporting, all such visas will also be endorsed "Exempted from Police Reporting".
3. Conditions for Visa-on-Arrival: Visa-on-Arrival shall be non-extendable and non-convertible. At the time of issuance of Visa-on-Arrival, the Immigration Officer must make it clear to the Pakistani national eligible for such a visa that a Visa-on-Arrival can neither be extended nor converted to any other kind of visa during his/her stay in India except with the prior approval of the Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Visa-on-Arrival would not be given for visiting Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Kerala, Cantonment areas and other areas and places under restricted/protected area regime.
4. Entry points and Exit Points: The Visa-on-Arrival will be provided only at the Immigration Check Post at Attari, Punjab to Pakistani nationals crossing on foot. All such visa holders will be allowed to exit only from Attari (on foot).
5. Fee for Visa-on-Arrival: A fee of Indian Rupees 100/- or US $2/- or Pakistani Rupees 176/- per individual as per prevailing exchange rate will be charged for the grant of a Visa-on-Arrival
6. Repeat Visit: Visa-on-Arrival shall be allowed for a maximum of two times in a calendar year to a Pakistani national.