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Visa Extensions in India
(Please note that visa extensions can be applied for only 15 days prior to expiry) ELSI to be provided with an authorization of the service to be delivered. Assignee to provide ELSI, by courier, the following documents at least 30 days prior to expiry of visa:
1. Copy of passport (all persons) ELSI to then prepare the necessary letters within 7 days and forward to Assignee to obtain the signature of the authorized signatory and return the letters along with the passport copy of the signatory. This person signing the letters should be Indian national or Indian resident. (to be returned to ELSI within 7 days). ELSI will then accompany the expatriate and his family to the FRRO office to submit the application. Please note that the assignee would receive an initial extension of 3 months and his family would get an extension for 12 months. ELSI would subsequently follow up with the Ministry Of Home Affairs in Delhi and secure the order for the balance 9 months for the assignee. FAQ - Visa extensions in India. Generally specific powers of VISA conversions and extensions to foreigners residing in India, vests with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigner's Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.. For this purpose the foreigners can approach the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division), Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi between 10 AM to 12 Noon on all working days (Monday to Friday). The change of VISA status from one category to another category is normally not allowed. It can be considered by the Ministry of Home Affairs only in extraordinary circumstances. For this purpose, the foreigners need to approach in person to that office. Foreigners not residing in Delhi may approach the FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police concerned, who would forward their case to MHA for approval. Applications for extensions/conversions should be made well in advance. However, for the convenience of the foreigners, the FRROs/District Superintendents of Police(ex-officio FROs) are empowered to make some conversions/extensions for certain types of Visas without referring the same to MHA. Visa Extensions Question 1: Who can grant extension of Employment Visa or Business Visa? Answer: First extension on Employment and Business VISA is granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigner's Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi. However, FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police, can grant three months extension in anticipation on production of relevant documents and simultaneously send the case for the consideration to MHA. On approval of the MHA, FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police, can endorse rest of the 9 months extension. Subsequent extensions, on yearly basis for next 4 more years can be granted by FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police (Except in case of citizens of China and Sri Lanka). Question 2: Can a foreigner registered on Employment Visa change his original Company/employer? Answer: 2 No. Change of original company by a foreigner who has come to India on employment visa is not allowed on the same visa. The foreigner is generally required to go back to his own country and come to India again on a fresh visa. However, in deserving cases and on satisfaction the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi is competent to permit such change. Question 3: What type of visa is granted to the family members of foreigners holding 'E' type (Employment) Visa? Answer: 3 They are granted 'X' (entry) type of visa with a validity co-terminus with the validity of the visas of their spouses or for such shorter period as required or considered necessary by the Visa issuing authority. However, on every approved VISA extension of a foreigner on Business and Employment VISA, their spouse and children can seek VISA extension on co-terminus basis. Question 4: Can FRROs/FROs/SSPs change the category of visa? Answer: 4 FRROs can convert VISA and grant extension of stay to foreign students studying up to 12th standard, whose parents are of Indian origin or whose parents are Indian nationals on a year-to- year basis. Same facility is also available for children of foreigners residing in India on long-term basis (studying up to 12th Standard) on valid Visas such as Employment, Business, Research, Entry Student etc. However, in all other categories FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police can not change the category of VISA. Question 5: Whether Transit Visa can be extended/converted into another VISA? Answer: 5 No. Transit VISA cannot be extended or converted into another VISA. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi, can do it on satisfaction in exceptional cases. Question 6: Whether overstay on Transit Visa can be condoned by FRROs/FROs/SSPs? Answer:6 No, FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police cannot condone overstay in case of Transit VISA. However, in exceptional cases and on satisfaction only the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi is competent to condone the same. Question 7: What length of overstay can be condoned by FRROs/FROs? Answer: 7 FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police can regularize overstay up to three months beyond the validity of original visa (excluding tourist visa) in case of reasonable grounds of delay. However, an overstay fee of US$ 30 (equivalent amount Rs. 1395/-) is charged. Apart from this, visa extension fee of US$ 40 (equivalent amount Rs. 1860/-) is also charged. Question 8: What is the penalty fee for overstay? Answer: 8 An amount in Indian Rupees equivalent to US $30 (Rs.1395/- at present) plus regular fees for extension (Relevant visa fees as per duration of stay and type) is charged. Question 9: Can diplomatic, official and UN-visas (UN diplomatic/official) be extended by FRROs/FROs? Answer: 9 No, only MEA can extend these visas. Question 10: Whether a 5 years extension can be given to a registered foreigner?
Answer: 10 Yes. Five year VISA extension can be granted for following categories of foreigners: Question 11: When extension of a foreigner is under consideration with MHA, he/she is given three months extension, if he travels abroad and comes after expiry of three months extension, will he be given entry? Answer: 11 In such case a foreigner should obtain a fresh short-term visa from Indian Mission abroad to enter into India after expiry of initial 3 months. If the foreigner does not obtain fresh visa and comes to India after expiry of his regular extension, then he/she would be treated as entering India without visa. RETURN VISA All persons who are still awaiting their extension order from the Ministry of Home Affairs and are intending to leave the country FOR A SHORT VISIT need to apply for a RETURN VISA with the FRRO approx one week prior to their departure from the country.
Documents required for: Please note it takes up to four hours to obtain the return Visa and the assignee may be asked to return in the afternoon to get the Visa endorsed on the Passport. This will allow the person to return within the stipulated time and continue to work till the Ministry responds to his / her application.
All the paperwork should be completed at least 10 days before Departure
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