India: Visa Registration Rules and Employment Visa Categories Revised

More proactive FRRO registration rules. Foreign nationals entering on a visa valid for 180 days or less were generally granted a 14-day grace period after their 180-day stay expired to register with the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) and FRO (Foreigners Registration Office) if they sought to extend their visit.

Per the revised rules, foreign nationals intending to stay beyond 180 days must complete FRRO registration before the completion of 180 days of stay.

Additionally, authorities have tightened related compliance rules and penalties for violations of this rule. Late registration is allowed only in exceptional cases.

The change shifts FRRO registration from a reactive process to a strictly proactive one.

More advance planning is now required, especially considering the stricter penalties.

New child citizenship registration rules. Parents must electronically report the birth of a child to the Registration Officer where one parent is an Indian citizen and the child retains Indian citizenship. In cases where a child residing in India subsequently acquires foreign citizenship, parents are required to inform the Registration Officer within 30 days of such acquisition.

Per the revised regulations, the requirement to electronically notify the Registration Officer regarding the birth of a child has been waived where one parent is an Indian citizen and the child retains Indian citizenship.

Notwithstanding the above, where a child residing in India acquires foreign citizenship, the parents must notify the Registration Officer within 30 days of such acquisition.

While the revised rule removes the need to report the birth of a child where one parent is an Indian citizen, it introduces a time-sensitive obligation to notify FRRO within 30 days if the child later acquires foreign citizenship.

New employment visa sub-categories.

The new law changes the employment sub-categories from:

E1: all employment cases (direct hire and consultants or receiving direct remuneration in India)

E2: intracompany transferees

E3: non-government organizations, etc.

E4: project visas

To:

E‑1: all cases of employment, including intra‑company transferees, except for cases that fall under the specific categories of E‑2 (intra‑company transfer) and E‑3 visas.

E2 – non-government organizations, etc.

E3 – missionaries/religious workers, approved organizations, etc.

The new categories provide clearer rules for organizing and selecting the appropriate employment visa and reduces ambiguity in identifying the right visa type.