Visa Extension / Conversion
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. The details of such powers vested with FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police are: -
I. VISA conversion powers
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 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.
In respect of foreign students who are already in India and who wish to pursue research programmes after completing their studies, the local FRO/FRRO is competent to convert a student Visa into Research Visa if the student can furnish documentary proof of admission in a research programme and of adequate financial resources, subject to MHA guidelines in this regard.
II. VISA extension powers
1. 15 days VISA extension:
Extension of stay up to 15 days on any type of Visas in emergent cases such as illness, death, non-availability of flights etc, subject to production of confirmed onward journey ticket with applicable Visa fee.
2 One month VISA extension
Bangladeshi nationals can be granted extension of stay for a maximum period of one month at a time limited to 3 months over and above the period of VISA originally granted by Indian High Commission for the following purposes only: -
|
a |
Serious illness of the Bangladeshi national or his first degree relations. |
|
b |
Death or ‘Chehlum’ ceremony of first or second degree relations. |
|
c |
Marriage of first degree relations settled or date changed after the arrival of the Bangladesh national |
|
d |
Inclusion of the name of the new born child to the visiting Bangladeshi woman while in India in her passport. |
|
e |
Disruption of means of travel. |
3. Three months VISA extension
Short term extension for cases referred to MHA
FRROs can grant one short term extension, if need be, for a period of 3 months while referring cases to Ministry of Home Affair, Foreigners Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi and awaiting orders – this will cover the processing period in MHA for grant of extension in long term VISA case such as employment, business where the first extension is only granted by MHA and the subsequent extension are to be given by the State Govt. /FRROs.
4. Six months VISA extension:
State governments/FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant six months extension to Tibetan and Burmese refugees settled in India. Burmese refugees however; require valid UNHCR Certificate for such extension.
5. One year VISA extension:
a) One year extension of stay can be granted to a Bangladeshi women married to Indian citizen on a year to year basis, provided that they continue to be the wives of an Indian citizen and has nothing adverse against them and their initial case for extension of stay for one year was cleared by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.
b) VISA of foreigner on medical VISA can be extended for a further period of one year on production of medical certificate/advise from reputed/recognized/specialized hospitals in India. Any further extension on medical VISA will be granted by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreign Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road New Delhi.
c) FRROs/District Superintendents of Police(FROs) can grant extension of stay to those on student VISA for one year at a time on production of bonafide certificate from the recognized College/University up to the duration of the course or 5 years whichever is less.
The FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant one year Visa extension to students and research scholar desirous to come to study Yoga, Vedic Culture, Indian system of dance /music at the recognized Institution on year to year basis for a period up to five years subject to due sponsorship by the Institution and nothing adverse against the foreigner.
d) Foreigner who is on a Business/Employment VISA and their first one year extension has already been approved by Ministry of Home Affairs can seek further extension of one year at a time for next three years from their concerned FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police on production of relevant documents for the purpose. Dependent spouse and children of such foreigners can also be granted extension on co-terminus basis.
e) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can extend VISA for one year to foreign journalist accredited to Press Information Bureau.
f) Afghan staying in India on long term basis can seek extensions on year to year basis.
6. Five years VISA extension:
FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant extension of stay up to a period of 5 years in following cases: -
a) Foreigners of Indian origin;
b) Spouses of Indian citizens or foreigners of Indian origin, who are on a long term VISA or when their long term stay has been approved by Ministry of Home Affairs;
c) Children of Indian citizens and children of foreigners of Indian origin can be granted extension of VISA for 5 years;
d) Foreign technicians/experts in India in pursuance of bilateral agreements, and their spouses and children;
e) Foreigners residing on valid VISA and residential permit continuously for over 20 years, and their spouses and children;
f) Children below 16 years of age.
III. Grant of Return VISA:
a) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant one return VISA per year to foreigners on student VISA, on genuine grounds such as for visiting parents, relatives during vacation, family emergencies, appearing in exams board etc. In cases of extreme compassion i.e., death/serious illness of close relative/friend, even second return VISA may be granted.
b) Afghan nationals staying in India on yearly extension can seek one return VISA per year from the concerned FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police on genuine ground for 90 days or for 45 days each, twice a year .
IV. Power to allow change of Institution/Course in case of foreigners on Student Visa:
FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can allow change of Institution/Course provided the new institution and course are fully recognized /approved and are full time proper courses. The course fee for duration of the course or five years, whichever is less is US$ 75 (at current rate an amount of Rs. 3500/-). An additional fee of US$ 75 has to be charged for subsequent change in course. However, no course fee is charged from ICCR Scholars & students from gratis VISA countries.
V.Power to extend Medical Visa:
FRROs /District Superintendents of Police (FROs) can extend Medical /Medical Attendant visa up to a maximum period of one year or period of treatment whichever is less ,on production of Medical Certificate /advise from reputed /recognized /specialized hospital in the country .
Any further extention can be granted by MHA on the recommendation of FRROs /State Governments.
FRROs/State Governments may permit one additional entry in emergent situation.
VI. Power to Extend Research Visa:
FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police are competent to grant extension of Research Visa of Foreign Research Scholars staying in India subject to production of (a) Valid Research Visa (b) ,bonafide certificate from the University/Institute of affiliation about his/her pursuing the Research Project indicating the duration of the research project. (c) evidence of financial resources. The total period of such Visa extension may be restricted to the duration of research project as approved by Institute of Affiliation or five years whichever is less. Such foreign scholars may, if required, also be granted an extension even after completion of project to enable research scholar to complete the final formalities of the research project. The extension would be granted by competent authority subject to MHA guidelines in this regard.
VII. Transfer of VISA in Lost Passport Cases:
In case of lost passport, FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police may regularize stay and grant exit permission on the new travel document given by the foreign mission provided the stay has not exceeded the VISA period. Further, the whole VISA can be endorsed on the new passport after confirmation of the kind of VISA issued from concerned Embassy/Mission.
VIII. Power to issue Police Clearance Certificates:
After complying with the requisite procedural formalities (crosschecking, confirmation etc), FRROs/FROs cum Superintendent of Police can grant Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) to their respective registered foreign nationals as pertaining to their period of residence in India.
IX. Power to grant Restricted/Protected Area Permits:
Generally
speaking when a foreigner is in India then Power to issue permit to foreigners
for visiting Restricted /Protected areas vests with the
Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners' Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh
Road New Delhi and with Resident Commissioner of the State concerned. However,
FRROs have been delegated powers in respect of some specified areas and in some
specific conditions.
X. Power to issue Landing Permits:
a) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant Landing Permit to a foreigner transiting through India without VISA provided the foreigner has a confirmed onward journey ticket for a period up to 72 hours or till the departure of the confirmed onward journey flight for which the foreigners is in possession of the ticket at the time of reporting to immigration, which ever is earlier. Passport of such foreign nationals will be retained by the immigration officer and the foreigners will be issued a receipt to facilitate their movement out of the airport/port/post.
b) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant Landing Permit to the foreigners arriving in India without valid VISA, in emergent situation like death/illness in the family up to a period of 15 days provided immigration officer is satisfied regarding the bonafide of the foreigner’s visit. For further extension of stay in such cases, the foreigner concerned should report to Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Jaisalmer House, 26, Man Singh Road, New Delhi except in case of minors which can be extended till the minor attains the age of majority.
c) Indian money equivalent to US$40 is charged for Landing Permits except to passengers under the gratis regime.
d) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant Landing Permit to foreigners in case of a Technical Lapse in the Indian VISA. On satisfaction Immigration officer, may treat the VISA valid provided the foreigners is not at fault.
e) FRROs/FROs cum Superintendents of Police can grant collective Landing Permit to foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea, and sponsored by recognized Indian travel Agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary for a specified period of time subject to a maximum of 60 days with multiple entry facility, on the written request of the Travel Agency to the Immigration Officer giving full personal and passport details of the group members.
f) The Landing Permit facility will not be available to the nationals of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Nigeria and Ethiopia.
g) Crew members/seamen of scheduled/unscheduled flights, if operated by scheduled operators approved by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, can be granted Landing Permit up to a period of 7 days without any charges. The seaman arriving by ship and intends to leave either by another ship or flight within 7 days can also be granted Landing Permit without charging fee. However, Crew members of flights operated by non-scheduled operators will be charged a fee in Indian currency equivalent to US $40 per person for grant of Landing Permit.
REVISED VISA FEE STRUCTURE VIDE MEA ORDER DATED 10/06/2008 ( w.e.f. 01/07/2008 )
|
SL NO |
TYPE OF VISA |
DURATION |
VISA FEE |
|
1 |
TOURIST VISA (MULTIPLE ENTRY) |
UPTO 6 MONTHS |
Rs. 1860/- ($40) |
|
|
TOURIST VISA (MULTIPLE ENTRY) |
UPTO 1 YEAR |
Rs. 3025/-($65) |
|
|
TOURIST VISA (MULTIPLE ENTRY) |
UPTO 5 YEARS |
Rs.6050/-($130) |
|
|
TOURIST VISA (MULTIPLE ENTRY) ( SINGAPOREANS) |
UPTO 6 MONTHS
|
Rs. 1163/- ($25) |
|
2 |
TRANSIT VISA |
( VALID FOR 15 DAYS – SINGLE/DOUBLE ENTRY) |
Rs.930/-($20) |
|
3 |
MULTIPLE ENTRY STUDENT VISA |
( VALID FOR THE DURATION OF THE COURSE OR 5 YEARS, WHICHEVER IS LESS) |
Rs.3,500/-($75) |
|
4
|
*ALL OTHER TYPE OF MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA AS (OTHER THAN TOURIST, TRANSIT & STUDENT VISAS)
|
UP TO 6 MONTHS |
Rs.3720/-($80) |
|
UP TO 1 YEAR |
Rs.5580/-($120) |
||
|
UP TO 5 YEARS |
Rs.9300/-($200) |
* FEE FOR BUSINESS VISA FOR 15 SPECIFIED COUNTRIES & EMPLOYMENT VISA FOR 17 SPECIFIED COUNTRIES ENLISTED SEPARATELY IN COLUMN 5 AND COLUMN 6
BUSINESS VISA FEES OF THE 15 SPECIFIED COUNTRIES ON RECIPROCAL BASIS
|
SNO |
COUNTRY |
UP TO 1 YEAR |
MORE THAN 1 YEAR UP TO 5 YEARS |
|
1 |
USA |
6510 |
10230 |
|
2 |
ECUADOR |
11160 |
14880 |
|
3 |
NEW ZEALAND |
6045 |
9765 |
|
4 |
UKRAINE |
9300 |
13020 |
|
5 |
FRANCE |
7673 |
11393 |
|
6 |
AUSTRALIA |
9998 |
13718 |
|
7 |
CZECH REPUBLIC |
8835 |
12555 |
|
8 |
IRAN |
12788 |
16508 |
|
9 |
IRELAND |
9300 |
13020 |
|
10 |
NIGERIA |
13485 |
17205 |
|
11 |
POLAND |
6743 |
10463 |
|
12 |
SAUDI ARABIA |
9998 |
13718 |
|
13 |
U.K |
7208 |
10928 |
|
14 |
THAILAND |
9300 |
13020 |
|
15 |
U.A.E |
19298 |
23018 |
EMPLOYMENT VISA FEE OF THE COUNTRIES ON RECIPROCAL BASIS
|
SNO |
COUNTRY |
VISA FEE FOR |
||
|
|
|
UP TO 6 MONTHS |
UP TO 1 YEAR |
MORE THAN 1 YEAR UP TO 5 YEARS |
|
1 |
USA |
4700 |
6510 |
10230 |
|
2 |
CANADA |
6975 |
8835 |
12555 |
|
3 |
U.K |
19763 |
21623 |
25343 |
|
4 |
IRELAND |
7440 |
9300 |
13020 |
|
5 |
FRANCE |
6278 |
8138 |
11858 |
|
6 |
ITALY |
4883 |
6743 |
10463 |
|
7 |
DENMARK |
5813 |
7673 |
11393 |
|
8 |
PORTUGAL |
4185 |
6045 |
9765 |
|
9 |
AUSTRIA |
3953 |
5813 |
9533 |
|
10 |
NORWAY |
4185 |
6045 |
9765 |
|
11 |
AUSTRALIA |
8370 |
10230 |
13950 |
|
12 |
NEW ZEALAND |
6743 |
8603 |
12323 |
|
13 |
THAILAND |
7440 |
9300 |
13020 |
|
14 |
UAE |
17438 |
19298 |
23018 |
|
15 |
TURKEY |
4700 |
6510 |
10230 |
|
16 |
ISRAEL |
46500 |
48360 |
52080 |
|
17 |
IRAN |
10928 |
12788 |
16508 |
VISA FEES FOR SRI LANKAN NATIONALS
|
SLNO |
TYPE OF VISA |
PERIOD OF VALIDITY /NO. OF ENTRIES |
FEE |
|
1 |
TRANSIT VISA |
15 DAYS- SINGLE/DOUBLE ENTRY |
Rs. 135/- |
|
2
|
BUSINESS VISA
|
6 MONTHS –SINGLE ENTRY |
Rs. 135/- |
|
6 MONTHS/1 YEAR- MULTIPLE ENTRY |
Rs. 405 |
||
|
5 YEARS – MULTIPLE ENTRY |
Rs. 3500/- |
||
|
3
|
EMPLOYMENT VISA
|
6 MONTHS – SINGLE ENTRY |
Rs. 135/- |
|
6 MONTHS- MULTIPLE ENTRY |
Rs. 270/- |
||
|
1 YEAR – MULTIPLE ENTRY |
Rs. 405/- |
||
|
4 |
ALL OTHER TYPE OF VISA INCLUDING TOURIST VISA & STUDENT VISA |
6 MONTHS – SINGLE ENTRY
|
Rs. 135/-
|
|
6 MONTHS - MULTIPLE ENTRY |
Rs. 270/- |
VISA FEE FOR JAPANESE NATIONALS
|
TRANSIT VISA |
Rs. 48/- |
|
ALL OTHER TYPES OF VISA |
Rs. 390/- |
SERVICE CHARGE COUNTRIES
|
RUSSIAN |
Rs. 1860/- |
|
ROMANIAN |
Rs. 2000/- |
GRATIS VISA COUNTRIES
1.AFGHANISTAN
2. ARGENTINA
3.BANGLADESH
4.DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
5.JAMAICA
6.MALDIVES
7.MAURITIUS
8.MONGOLIA
9.SOUTH AFRICA
10.URUGUAY
11. NEPALI & BHUTANESE NATIONALS DO NOT REQUIRE VISA TO ENTER INDIA . HOWEVER, NEPALI NATIONALS REQUIRE VISA, IF THEY ENTER INDIA FROM CHINA.
12. PAKISTANI NATIONALS SHOULD BE CHARGED VISA FEE OF Rs. 15/- FOR AN INDIAN VISA OF ALL TYPES.
13. SERVICE CHARGES OF Rs. 235/- TO BE CHARGED WHEN AN INDIAN VISA AFFIXED ON OLD PASSPORT IS TRANSFERRED TO A NEW PASSPORT ( NOT TO BE CHARGED FROM GRATIS VISA COUNTRIES, NEPALESE, BHUTANESE AND PAKISTANI NATIONALS.
14. FEE FOR ISSUANCE OF RESTRICTED AREA PERMIT/PROTECTED AREA PERMIT – Rs. 1395/- ( NOT TO BE CHARGED FROM GRATIS VISA COUNTRIES, NEPALESE, BHUTANESE AND PAKISTANI NATIONALS.
15.German nationals married to Indian Nationals and their dependant children are exempt from paying Visa fee for extension of VISA.
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