# FRRO Registration 2026 for Foreign Employees, Steps and Deadlines

> Source: https://krystal7.com/insights/frro-registration-foreign-employees-india
> Publisher: Krystal7 Consultants (Krystal7 Innovations Private Limited), Gurugram, India
> Author: CA Nandini
> Published: 08 Feb 2026; updated 24 Oct 2026
> Summary: A foreign employee on a visa longer than 180 days must register with the FRRO within 14 days of arrival, online on e FRRO under rule 12 of the 2025 Rules.

*Written by CA Nandini Hasija, Krystal7 Consultants. Last updated 23 October 2026.*

## AI Overview Summary

- A foreigner on a visa valid for more than 180 days, including most employment visas, must apply for registration within 14 days of arrival under rule 12(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025.
- The application goes online in Form I on indianfrro.gov.in or on the Indian Visa Su Swagatam app. The Registration Officer then issues a Certificate of Registration under rule 13.
- A business visa holder registers only to stay beyond 180 days on one visit or in a calendar year. Since G.S.R. 424(E) of 1 Jun 2026, that registration is granted only in emergent circumstances.
- Late registration is an offence under section 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, punishable with up to three years, a fine up to INR 3,00,000, or both. Compounding starts at INR 10,000.
- The Indian employer signs the request letter and undertaking, files Form III within 24 hours if it provides accommodation, and tells the FRRO when the employment ends.

**A foreign employee on a visa valid for more than 180 days registers with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Rule 12(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 sets a deadline of 14 days from arrival. The application goes online in Form I on the e FRRO portal, indianfrro.gov.in, or on the Indian Visa Su Swagatam app. Late registration is an offence under section 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.**

This page is for HR and finance teams in Indian companies that employ foreign staff, and for foreign parents that second them. It covers who registers, the deadline, the e FRRO steps, documents, the certificate of registration, address changes, departure, penalties and the employer's own duties.

## What is FRRO registration?

FRRO registration is the record a foreigner makes with the Registration Officer for their area after arriving in India. Section 6 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 requires it. Rule 12 of the 2025 Rules sets who registers, when and how. The officer then issues a Certificate of Registration, often still called the residential permit.

The Registration Officer is an FRRO in the major cities, or a district Foreigners Registration Officer elsewhere. Both use the Bureau of Immigration's e FRRO system. The [Ministry of External Affairs page on FRRO services](https://www.mea.gov.in/visa-related-services-provided-by-frros-fros-menu) lists their services. They include registration, visa extension and conversion, exit permission and change of address.

The law changed on 1 Sep 2025. The [Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025](https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act_2025_16092025.pdf) (Act 13 of 2025) received assent on 4 Apr 2025. It came into force on 1 Sep 2025 under an [MHA commencement notification](https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/Notification_on_commencement_date_of_Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act_2025_16092025.pdf). Section 36 repealed four older laws:

1. The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.
2. The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939.
3. The Foreigners Act, 1946.
4. The Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000.

The [Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025](https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/Immigration_and_Foreigners_Rules_2025_16092025.pdf), G.S.R. 596(E) of 1 Sep 2025, replaced the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992. Older FRRO brochures still cite the Foreigners Act, 1946. Where they differ from the 2025 Rules, we follow the Rules.

## Who must register with the FRRO?

Every foreigner must apply for registration within 14 days of arrival, unless rule 12(4) exempts them. One exemption covers a visa of 180 days or less where the holder leaves in time. Another covers a longer visa where stays remain within 180 days. Children below 12 and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are exempt. So most employment visa holders register.

Rule 12(1) opens with a general duty. A foreigner "shall within fourteen days of his arrival in India submit an application" for registration and visa services. Rule 12(4) then lists four groups who need not register:

1. A foreigner on a visa valid for not more than 180 days who does not stay beyond that period, unless the visa endorsement says otherwise.
2. A foreigner on a multiple entry visa who does not stay beyond 180 days on any one visit, or in total in a calendar year.
3. A child below 12 years of age.
4. An OCI cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955.

Our note on [OCI cardholders as directors and investors](/insights/oci-cardholder-director-investor-india) covers what else the card allows.

Employment visas are usually issued for a year or more without a 180 day stay condition. So the exemptions rarely help an employee. Business visas carry the 180 day condition, so their holders register only if they plan to stay longer.

| Visa held | Register? | Deadline | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment visa valid for more than 180 days | Yes | Within 14 days of arrival | Rule 12(1) |
| Dependant visa of an employee, valid for more than 180 days, holder aged 12 or above | Yes | Within 14 days of arrival | Rule 12(1) |
| Student, research or medical visa valid for more than 180 days | Yes | Within 14 days of arrival | Rule 12(1) |
| Visa of 180 days or less, holder leaves in time | No | Not applicable | Rule 12(4)(a) |
| Visa of 180 days or less, holder wants to stay longer | Yes | Before the 180 days expire from 1 Jun 2026; before that, within 14 days after day 180 | Rule 12(1), third proviso |
| Business or e Business visa with a 180 day stay limit, stays within 180 days | No | Not applicable | Rule 12(4)(b) |
| Business or e Business visa, holder wants more than 180 days on a visit or in a calendar year | Yes | Before the 180 days expire; granted only in emergent circumstances from 1 Jun 2026 | Rule 12(1), fourth proviso |
| Citizen of a country covered by a general or special order | Yes | As the order specifies | Rule 12(1), fifth proviso |
| Child below 12; OCI cardholder | No | Not applicable | Rule 12(4)(c) and (d) |

The MEA page still lists country timelines from the older framework. It says Pakistan nationals register within 24 hours of arrival. The fifth proviso to rule 12(1) keeps room for such orders.

A foreigner who stops being an Indian citizen registers within 30 days, under the second proviso. A foreigner who enters without a visa registers before the permitted stay on arrival ends.

Our guide to the [employment visa](/insights/employment-visa-india-for-foreign-employees) covers eligibility, salary and documents before arrival. Our guide to the [business visa for foreign founders](/insights/business-visa-india-for-foreign-founders) covers the 180 day limit in detail.

## How does the 14 day window work?

The 14 days run from the date of arrival in India, not from the visa issue date or the joining date. Rule 12(1) asks for the application within that period. The Rules do not say whether the day of arrival counts. We count it as day one, the cautious reading, and file within the first week.

The e FRRO portal advises foreigners to apply at least two weeks in advance for any service. For a first registration, that is not possible. So we prepare the employer's letters and the residence proof before the employee flies.

Three practical points keep the window safe:

- **Address proof comes first.** The portal needs proof of an Indian address. A hotel letter works for the first weeks, so we do not wait for the permanent flat.
- **The employee files personally.** The portal asks for the foreigner's own email ID and a valid Indian mobile number, for one time passwords and alerts. We help with the form, but the account is the employee's.
- **The application date matters.** Rule 12(1) requires the application within 14 days. The certificate itself may come later, after scrutiny.

Take an engineer who lands in Mumbai on 9 Feb 2026 on a two year employment visa. A count that excludes the arrival day runs to 23 Feb 2026. Our cautious count ends on 22 Feb 2026. We aim to submit the Form I application by 16 Feb 2026.

## How do you register on the e FRRO portal?

The foreigner creates a user ID on indianfrro.gov.in, fills the Form I application, uploads a photo and documents, and pays any fee online. The Registration Officer scrutinises the file and may call the foreigner for an interview or biometrics. The certificate then arrives by email or post. The Indian Visa Su Swagatam app is the alternative route under rule 12(1)(a).

The [e FRRO portal](https://indianfrro.gov.in/) states that e FRRO "is mandatory for availing services at FRROs/FROs". The Union Home Minister launched the scheme on 13 Apr 2018, says the [PIB release of that date](https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1528992&reg=48&lang=2). Its aim was "Faceless, Cashless and Paperless services". The release said foreigners could get services "through email/post without appearing in person".

| Step | Who acts | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Create a user ID | Foreigner | Registers with a personal email ID and a valid Indian mobile number | e FRRO portal |
| 2. Select Registration | Foreigner | Opens the Form I application | Rule 12(1)(b) |
| 3. Fill the form | Foreigner, with HR | Enters passport, visa, arrival, address and employer details | e FRRO portal |
| 4. Upload photo and documents | Foreigner | Photo as JPG up to 1 MB; each document as PDF up to 1 MB | e FRRO portal |
| 5. Pay any fee | Foreigner | Pays online through the bank gateway; the amount is sent by email or SMS | e FRRO portal |
| 6. Scrutiny | Registration Officer | May ask for more information, an interview or biometrics | Rule 12(3) |
| 7. Grant | Registration Officer | Issues the Certificate of Registration | Rule 13(1) |
| 8. Delivery | e FRRO system | Sends the document by email and post | PIB, 13 Apr 2018; e FRRO e services page |

The [e services page](https://indianfrro.gov.in/eservices/) says the RC/RP and exit permits are sent by post to the address in India. A visit to the office is needed only when the FRRO calls the foreigner. The page warns against agents who promise faster grants for a fee.

The photo rules trip up many applicants. The portal asks for a passport size photo on a plain light or white background. It must show the full face with eyes open, without borders, shadows or editing. One copy of each document type is allowed, but a type can span several PDFs.

The portal does not publish a processing time. FRRO Bengaluru's older brochure mentioned online prior scrutiny of roughly four days to a week. We plan on two weeks and keep the employee's travel plans flexible in that period.

## What documents does a foreign employee need for FRRO registration?

The employee uploads a passport copy, the visa page, the arrival stamp, a photo and proof of address in India. The Indian employer supplies a request letter, an undertaking, the appointment letter and the employment contract. The Registration Officer can ask for more under rule 12(3), so we keep salary and tax papers ready too.

The [MEA page](https://www.mea.gov.in/visa-related-services-provided-by-frros-fros-menu) reproduces the employer's undertaking. The company writes: "We take full responsibility for the activities and conduct of" the named foreign national. It also commits to repatriate the foreigner "at our cost" if anything adverse arises. Treat that as a real liability and have an authorised signatory sign it.

FRRO Bengaluru's [registration brochure](https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/broucher-registration.pdf) is undated and predates the 2025 Act. Its lists still match what the portal asks for in practice. It gives the employment visa salary test as USD 25,000 and above, with pay in kind left out. Our employment visa guide covers that test and its exceptions.

| Document | Who provides it | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Passport copy with photo, validity, visa and arrival stamp pages | Employee | Registration and every later service |
| Passport size photo | Employee | Registration |
| Address proof: notarised lease, or a utility bill with the owner's letter and ID, or a hotel letter, or the Form III (old Form C) copy | Employee or landlord | Registration and change of address |
| Request letter to the FRRO | Indian employer | Registration and extension |
| Undertaking on conduct and repatriation | Indian employer | Registration and extension |
| Appointment letter and employment contract | Indian employer | Registration and extension |
| Salary certificate on letterhead with the employer's TAN and the signatory's ID | Indian employer | Registration and extension |
| Tax papers, such as the salary certificate (Form 130, old Form 16) and challans | Employer and employee | Extension and exit |
| Marriage certificate, apostilled if issued abroad | Spouse | Dependant registration |

Sources: MEA FRRO services page; FRRO Bengaluru registration brochure.

From tax year 2026-27, the annual salary certificate is Form 130 under the Income Tax Act, 2025, in place of Form 16. Our note on [tax residency for foreign employees](/insights/tax-residency-foreign-employees-india-182-day-rule) covers the tax side of the posting.

## What is a residential permit, and what does the certificate of registration say?

The residential permit is the everyday name for the Certificate of Registration under rule 13 of the 2025 Rules. The Registration Officer grants it once the application is correct and complete. It states the authorised period of stay and any places of stay. The holder must leave India before that period ends, unless the officer extends it.

Rule 13 sets four conditions on the holder:

1. Where the certificate names places of stay, the holder may not visit any other place without the Registration Officer's specific permission.
2. The holder reports arrival at those places within 24 hours, and departure before leaving them.
3. The holder departs before the authorised period expires, unless the officer extends it (rule 13(4)(c)).
4. The officer may restrict the period and places of stay under rule 13(3).

The certificate is not a permanent identity document. It runs with the visa and the employment. When the visa is extended, the FRRO also updates the registration.

Rule 14(1) adds a duty to produce papers. A Registration Officer or another officer that rule 14(1) names can ask for the passport or identity papers. The foreigner must produce them within 24 hours, or within seven days if the officer allows it for sufficient cause. We tell employees to carry a copy of the certificate and the passport.

If the certificate is lost, the holder reports how it was lost, with a copy of the police report, to get a duplicate. [Invest India's FAQs](https://www.investindia.gov.in/faq-pdf/46/en) describe this step.

## How do you report a change of address or a long absence?

Rule 15 of the 2025 Rules requires a registered foreigner to tell the Registration Officer electronically before moving address. The same applies before leaving the address for eight weeks or more. A stay of more than eight weeks in another district needs a report to that district's officer. Rule 15(6) covers any other change that affects the accuracy of the certificate's particulars. The foreigner reports it within 14 days of the change. FRRO Bengaluru's brochure stated the same 14 days under the old rules.

Rule 15(5) treats three events as a change of address. They are leaving India, moving residence within India, and leaving an address with no plan to return within eight weeks.

| Event | What the foreigner must do | Deadline | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moving to a new address | Inform the Registration Officer electronically | Before leaving the old address | Rule 15(1) and 15(5)(b) |
| Absence of eight weeks or more from the address | Inform the Registration Officer electronically | Before leaving | Rule 15(1) |
| Stay of more than eight weeks in another district | Report to that district's Registration Officer | Electronically; advance notice of the dates counts | Rule 15(3) and 15(4) |
| Leaving India | Inform the Registration Officer of the date of leaving | Before departure | Rule 15(2) |
| Change in other particulars on the certificate | Report to the Registration Officer | Within 14 days of the change | Rule 15(6) |
| Demand for passport or papers | Produce them to the officer | Within 24 hours, or 7 days if allowed | Rule 14(1) |

The change of address service sits on the e FRRO portal. FRRO Bengaluru's brochure asks for the application, two photos, a request letter, the passport and new address proof. We tie it to the HR change of address process, so a new lease triggers the filing.

Short business trips inside India do not need a report. A secondee who spends two months on a client site in Chennai while registered in Pune does need one under rule 15(3).

## What does the employer have to do?

The Indian employer signs the request letter and the undertaking that support registration. It must report foreigners it houses in commercial accommodation, in Form III within 24 hours. It keeps salary and tax papers ready for extensions. It also tells the FRRO when the employment ends and confirms the departure.

The 2025 Act has no section that names employers. Their duties come from four places:

1. **The undertaking.** The employer accepts responsibility for the employee's conduct and for repatriation at its cost, on the MEA format.
2. **Accommodation.** Section 8 of the Act and rule 17 put the reporting duty on the keeper of accommodation.
3. **End of employment.** The general instructions for registration by foreigners ask the host to notify the FRRO when the contract ends. The [Embassy of India in Khartoum](https://www.eoikhartoum.gov.in/pdf/ForeigD-FRRO_version223.6.11.pdf) hosts a copy. The host also confirms the departure with flight details.
4. **Abetment.** Section 24 of the Act punishes whoever abets an offence under section 21, 22 or 23 with the same punishment. An employer who knowingly keeps an overstayer at work takes that risk.

Section 8(1) exempts residential premises of a non commercial nature from the keeper's duty, subject to section 8(3). Under section 8(3), a civil authority can direct occupiers of residential premises in an area to report foreigners. Rule 17(7)(a) lists guest houses, paying guest houses and rented accommodation as accommodation. Rule 17(5) asks for Form III "as soon as possible" and within 24 hours of arrival.

A company guest house or serviced flat run in the company's name is the clearest case. We file Form III for those ourselves. For a flat leased in the employee's name, we ask the landlord to check the local police direction and file if it applies.

| Employer duty | When | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Sign the request letter and undertaking | Before the employee's registration | MEA FRRO services page |
| File Form III for company provided accommodation | Within 24 hours of arrival | Act section 8; rule 17(5) |
| File the departure details for that accommodation | Within 24 hours of departure | Rule 17(6) |
| Keep accommodation records | At least one year | Rule 17(1) |
| Provide salary and tax papers | At registration and every extension | FRRO Bengaluru brochure |
| Track visa and certificate expiry | Start the extension at least two weeks before | e FRRO portal |
| Notify the FRRO when employment ends and confirm departure | On exit | General instructions for registration by foreigners |
| Keep the expat in PF as an international worker, unless an agreement exempts them | From the first day | EPF Scheme, 2026, para 9(5) |

The last row sits outside immigration law but runs on the same timeline. A [global capability centre](/insights/global-capability-centre-gcc-india-setup) that brings in several expats at launch should run all these duties as one onboarding process. Our guide to [social security agreements and certificates of coverage](/insights/social-security-agreement-certificate-of-coverage-india) explains the PF rules for expats.

## How does a foreign employee extend the visa and registration?

The employee applies for visa extension on the e FRRO portal before the visa expires. The portal advises applying at least two weeks in advance. The employer's request letter, undertaking, contract and salary and tax papers go with the application. The FRRO then extends the visa and the registration together.

Our [employment visa guide](/insights/employment-visa-india-for-foreign-employees) sets out the validity and extension limits by visa category.

We start the extension two months before expiry. The tax papers take the longest, because the FRRO wants the salary certificate and proof that tax was deducted and paid. Missing a fee payment, an upload or a called interview can itself lead to prosecution or a fine, the e services page warns.

A visa that expires while the extension is pending creates an overstay risk. We keep the e FRRO acknowledgement and the employer's letter on the employee's file. We ask the FRRO in writing about the status if the grant has not come a week before expiry.

## Does a foreign employee need an exit permit to leave India?

An ordinary registered foreigner does not need an exit permit to leave India. Rule 15(2) of the 2025 Rules asks them to tell the Registration Officer the date of leaving. On final departure, they surrender the certificate of registration to the FRRO or to the immigration officer at the exit point. An exit permit is for cases outside the normal path.

The general instructions for registration by foreigners, which predate the 2025 Act, say it is not necessary for a foreigner, other than a citizen of Pakistan or Afghanistan, to seek exit or departure clearance. Such a foreigner "can straightaway depart from the Immigration Check Point". Invest India's FAQs say the same about surrendering the certificate.

The e FRRO portal still offers an Exit Permit service. The 2025 Rules have no separate exit permit rule. They mention exit permission only in rule 12(2), for a child born in India. The older general instructions list exit permit papers for four cases: a lost passport, surrogacy, a child born in India, and release from jail or acquittal. They say every exit permit case needs at least two working days. If a visa has expired or a stay has run over, ask the FRRO in writing what it needs before you book the flight.

FRRO Bengaluru's brochure lists the papers for an employee's exit permit. They include the employer's letter, up to date tax paid details and a copy of the PAN card.

We run an exit file for every departing expat:

1. Inform the Registration Officer of the leaving date under rule 15(2).
2. Settle final salary, tax and the PF position before the last working day.
3. Notify the FRRO that the employment has ended, with flight details.
4. Hand over or surrender the certificate of registration at departure.
5. Close the company accommodation record under rule 17(6), if the company housed the employee.

## What are the penalties for missing FRRO registration?

Failing to register, overstaying and breaching visa conditions are offences under section 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The punishment is up to three years' imprisonment, a fine up to INR 3,00,000, or both. Section 25 allows compounding. Late registration compounds at INR 10,000 for a delay of up to 30 days.

Section 23 covers a foreigner who stays beyond the visa period, stays without a valid passport, or breaches visa conditions. It also covers any breach of the Act, Rules or orders that carries no specific punishment. A missed registration under rule 12 falls there.

Section 25 lets the Central Government notify compounding sums for offences under sections 21, 23 and 24. The sum cannot exceed the maximum fine for the offence.

MHA's [notification on compounding of certain offences](https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-01/7._Notification_regarding_compounding_of_certain_offences_under_the_Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act%2C_2025_20012026.pdf) under the Act sets the amounts. A letter of 16 Oct 2025 from FRRO Thiruvananthapuram (Lr. No. 04/FRRO/Bol/TVM/2025 (09)-3561) states the scale for overstay, non registration and Form III. A [University of Kerala circular](https://keralauniversity.ac.in/pdfs/ordersCirculars/cgacircular1761046529.pdf) of 21 Oct 2025 reproduces it.

| Offence | Section | Compounding amount (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Overstay or non registration, 1 to 30 days | 23 | 10,000 |
| Overstay or non registration, 31 to 90 days | 23 | 20,000 |
| Overstay or non registration, 91 to 180 days | 23 | 50,000 |
| Overstay or non registration, 181 days to one year | 23 | 1,00,000 |
| Overstay or non registration, more than one year | 23 | 2,00,000 plus 50,000 for each further year, capped at 3,00,000 |
| Keeper of accommodation not filing Form III | 23, read with section 8 and rule 17 | 50,000 |

Source: FRRO Thiruvananthapuram letter of 16 Oct 2025, as reproduced by the University of Kerala on 21 Oct 2025.

For other breaches, such as working on a visa other than an employment visa, read the MHA notification before you rely on a figure.

Compounding is at the authority's discretion, not a right. The Bureau of Immigration's [penalties page](https://boi.gov.in/boi/contents/registration-authority/penalties) describes penalties of INR 10,000 to INR 3,00,000 for each offence, with possible imprisonment. It also warns that a breach may affect future entry and visa applications.

The cost goes beyond the amount. A record of late registration sits on the FRRO file and comes up at every extension. Forged documents fall under section 22, with two to seven years, and section 25 does not list them as compoundable.

## What changed in 2026

At this guide's publish date of 8 Feb 2026, the 2025 Act and Rules had applied for five months. The 14 day rule for employment visa holders has not changed since. The Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026 changed two provisos to rule 12(1) on 1 Jun 2026. Both affect visas with a 180 day stay limit.

| Date | Old position | New position | Instrument |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep 2025 | Foreigners Act, 1946 and Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 | Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 in force; section 25 allows compounding | MHA commencement notification |
| 1 Sep 2025 | Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992 | Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025; registration within 14 days under rule 12(1) | G.S.R. 596(E) of 1 Sep 2025 |
| 1 Jun 2026 | Visa of 180 days or less, staying longer: register "within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days" | Register "any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days" | G.S.R. 424(E) of 1 Jun 2026, rule 12(1), third proviso |
| 1 Jun 2026 | Longer visa with a 180 day stay limit: register before the 180 days expire | Same timing, "but such registration shall be granted only in emergent circumstances" | G.S.R. 424(E), rule 12(1), fourth proviso |
| 1 Jun 2026 | Rule 12(2) on reporting a birth in India had no exception | No report where an Indian parent keeps the child's Indian citizenship; 30 days to report a later foreign citizenship | G.S.R. 424(E), rule 12(2) |
| 1 Jun 2026 | Original rule 21(5) | Appeal against a civil authority's direction to the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration within 30 days online; reasoned order ordinarily within 60 days | G.S.R. 424(E), rule 21(5) and (6) |

### What has happened since 8 Feb 2026

The [Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026](https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2026/273046.pdf), G.S.R. 424(E) of 1 Jun 2026, came into force on publication in the Gazette. Rule 1(2) says so.

For employers, the fourth proviso matters most. A director or secondee on a business visa can no longer plan on registering to stay past 180 days in a calendar year. The Rules do not define emergent circumstances. We read the phrase as illness, a family emergency or a travel disruption, not a business need.

The e Visa pages on indianvisaonline.gov.in may still show the older two week text. Where they differ from rule 12 as amended, we follow the Rules.

## Worked example

### A secondee who registers late

A German engineer arrives in Pune on 9 Feb 2026 on a two year employment visa to work for the Indian Private Limited subsidiary. HR waits for the permanent lease and submits Form I on 30 Mar 2026.

| Item | Date or amount |
|---|---|
| Arrival | 9 Feb 2026 |
| Last day of the 14 day window | 23 Feb 2026, excluding the arrival day (22 Feb 2026 on our cautious count) |
| Application submitted | 30 Mar 2026 |
| Delay after the window | 35 days (5 days in February, 30 in March) |
| Compounding band | 31 to 90 days |
| Compounding amount on the FRRO scale | INR 20,000 |
| Maximum on prosecution under section 23 | Three years, INR 3,00,000, or both |

**Step 1.** Count the window. Excluding the arrival day, the 14 days from 9 Feb 2026 end on 23 Feb 2026.

**Step 2.** Count the delay. From 24 Feb to 28 Feb 2026 is 5 days, and March adds 30 more to the 30th. The delay is 35 days, or 36 on our cautious count. Both fall in the same band.

**Step 3.** Find the band. A 35 day delay sits in the 31 to 90 day band, at INR 20,000.

**Step 4.** Compare the fix. A hotel letter as address proof would have allowed an application by 16 Feb 2026, at no cost. The INR 20,000 and the record on the FRRO file were avoidable.

### A founder on a business visa

A US founder holds a ten year business visa with the 180 day stay condition. She spends 10 Jan to 30 Apr 2026 in India, and plans to return on 1 Aug 2026 until 15 Oct 2026.

**Step 1.** Count each trip. The first trip is 111 days: 22 in January, 28 in February, 31 in March and 30 in April. The second is 76 days: 31 in August, 30 in September and 15 in October. Neither trip exceeds 180 days on its own.

**Step 2.** Test the calendar year. The total of 187 days (111 plus 76) passes 180, so rule 12(4)(b) no longer exempts her.

**Step 3.** Find day 180. After 111 days, she has 69 days left. Counting 69 days from 1 Aug 2026 takes her to 8 Oct 2026.

**Step 4.** Apply the amended rule. She must register before her 180 days run out on 8 Oct 2026. Since 1 Jun 2026, that registration is granted only in emergent circumstances.

**Step 5.** Change the plan. She leaves by 8 Oct 2026, or moves to an employment visa if she will run the company from India. Our note on the [resident director requirement](/insights/resident-director-requirement-indian-company) explains why a business visitor rarely meets the 182 day test either.

## Common mistakes

1. **Waiting for the permanent lease.** The 14 days run from arrival. Fix: register on a hotel or serviced flat letter, then file a change of address.
2. **Counting from the joining date.** Rule 12(1) counts from arrival in India. Fix: record the arrival stamp date in the HR file on day one.
3. **Using the company's email for the e FRRO account.** The portal asks for the foreigner's personal email ID. Fix: set up the account with the employee and keep a copy of every acknowledgement.
4. **Forgetting dependants aged 12 and above.** Each family member files an individual form, from the same user ID. Fix: register the spouse and older children in the same week.
5. **Missing Form III for the company guest house.** Rule 17(5) allows 24 hours. Fix: give the guest house manager a standing instruction and a login.
6. **Moving flats without telling the FRRO.** Rule 15(1) needs notice before the move. Fix: link the FRRO filing to the HR change of address form.
7. **Starting the extension late.** Tax papers take time, and an expired visa is an overstay. Fix: start two months before expiry with Form 130 and tax challans.
8. **Planning a long stay on a business visa.** Since 1 Jun 2026, registration past 180 days is granted only in emergent circumstances. Fix: keep each calendar year within 180 days, or apply for an employment visa.
9. **Letting a departing expat leave without closing the file.** The FRRO expects notice of the end of employment. Fix: run the five point exit file above.
10. **Paying an agent for a faster grant.** The e FRRO portal warns against middlemen. Fix: file directly on the portal, with HR support.

For a review of your expat onboarding, our [payroll management team](/services/payroll-management.html) can check one hire end to end, from visa to PF.

## Checklist

1. Confirm the visa type, validity and any "each stay" condition before the employee travels.
2. Book a hotel or serviced flat that can issue an address letter for the first weeks.
3. Prepare the employer's request letter and undertaking, signed by an authorised signatory.
4. Collect the appointment letter, employment contract and salary certificate with the company's TAN.
5. Record the arrival date from the passport stamp on the day the employee lands.
6. Create the employee's e FRRO account with their personal email and an Indian mobile number.
7. Submit Form I within the first week, and no later than 14 days after arrival.
8. Register the spouse and children aged 12 and above in the same week.
9. File Form III within 24 hours if the company houses the employee.
10. Save the certificate of registration and diary its expiry date.
11. Report every change of address and absence of eight weeks or more under rule 15.
12. Start each visa extension two months before expiry, with Form 130 and tax challans.
13. Enrol the expat in PF as an international worker, unless a certificate of coverage applies.
14. Notify the FRRO when the employment ends and surrender the certificate at departure.

## Key terms

- **Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)**: The Bureau of Immigration office that registers foreigners under rule 12 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, through the Indian Visa Su Swagatam app or Form I on indianfrro.gov.in. A business visa holder who stays within 180 days a visit and a calendar year is exempt from registration. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#foreigners-regional-registration-office)
- **e FRRO portal**: The Bureau of Immigration's online system at indianfrro.gov.in for registration, visa extension, visa conversion, exit permits and other services. Rule 12(1)(b) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 requires the Form I registration application on the designated online portal. The Bureau of Immigration sends documents by email or post. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#e-frro-portal)
- **Certificate of Registration (Residential Permit)**: The document a Registration Officer grants under rule 13 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 once a foreigner's registration is complete. It states the authorised period of stay and any places of stay. Many people still call it the Residential Permit or RC/RP. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#certificate-of-registration-residential-permit)
- **Registration Officer**: An officer the Central Government authorises under section 2(r) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 to act for an area it specifies. FRROs and district Foreigners Registration Officers hold the role. Section 6 of the Act requires foreigners to register with the Registration Officer concerned. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#registration-officer)
- **Form III (old Form C)**: The report a keeper of accommodation, hospital or medical institution sends on a foreigner it houses, under section 8 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and rule 17 of the 2025 Rules. Rule 17(5) requires it electronically within 24 hours of arrival. Under the old rules it was called Form C. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#form-iii-old-form-c)
- **Keeper of accommodation**: A person who runs premises where foreigners stay, such as a boarding house, hostel, paying guest house, home stay or rented accommodation, as rule 17(7)(a) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 describes. Section 8 of the 2025 Act requires the keeper to report each foreigner to the Registration Officer. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#keeper-of-accommodation)
- **Compounding (Immigration and Foreigners Act)**: Settling an offence under section 21, 23 or 24 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 by paying a sum the Central Government notifies, in place of prosecution. Section 25 allows it and caps the sum at the maximum fine for the offence. The FRRO usually compounds registration and overstay cases. (https://krystal7.com/glossary#compounding-immigration-and-foreigners-act)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the deadline for FRRO registration?

Within 14 days of arrival in India, for a foreigner on a visa valid for more than 180 days. Rule 12(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 sets this. Most employment visa holders fall in this group. The application goes in Form I on indianfrro.gov.in or on the Indian Visa Su Swagatam app.

### Who is exempt from FRRO registration?

Rule 12(4) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 exempts four groups. The first is holders of visas of 180 days or less who leave in time. The second is holders of longer visas with a 180 day stay limit who stay within it. Children below 12 and OCI cardholders are also exempt.

### Does a business visa holder need FRRO registration?

Only to stay beyond 180 days on one visit or in a calendar year. Rule 12(4)(b) exempts holders who stay within that limit. Under the fourth proviso to rule 12(1), as amended by G.S.R. 424(E) of 1 Jun 2026, registration to stay longer is granted only in emergent circumstances.

### Can FRRO registration be done online?

Yes. Rule 12(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 names two routes. One is the Indian Visa Su Swagatam mobile app, and the other is Form I on indianfrro.gov.in. The portal states that e FRRO is mandatory for FRRO services. Documents and certificates come by email or post.

### What documents does the employer give for FRRO registration?

A request letter, an undertaking on the employee's conduct and repatriation, the appointment letter, the employment contract and a salary certificate with the company's TAN. The MEA FRRO services page sets out the undertaking. FRRO Bengaluru's brochure lists the salary papers. Extensions also need tax papers, such as Form 130.

### Is there a fee for FRRO registration?

The e FRRO portal sends any fee by email or SMS after the application, and takes payment online. FRRO Bengaluru's older brochure charged no fee for registration itself. Late registration is different. It is an offence under section 23, and compounding starts at INR 10,000 on the FRRO scale.

### What is the penalty for late FRRO registration?

Late registration is an offence under section 23 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. It carries up to three years, a fine up to INR 3,00,000, or both. On the compounding scale FRRO Thiruvananthapuram stated in Oct 2025, it compounds at INR 10,000 for up to 30 days late. A delay of 31 to 90 days costs INR 20,000.

### What is a residential permit in India?

It is the common name for the Certificate of Registration that a Registration Officer grants under rule 13 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025. It states the authorised period of stay and any places of stay. The holder must leave India before that period ends, unless the officer extends it.

### How do I report a change of address to the FRRO?

File the change of address service on the e FRRO portal before you move. Rule 15(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 requires electronic notice before leaving the old address. Rule 15(1) also covers absence of eight weeks or more. A stay of over eight weeks in another district needs a report there under rule 15(3).

### Do dependants of a foreign employee register with the FRRO?

Yes, if their visa runs for more than 180 days and they are 12 or older. Rule 12(4)(c) exempts children below 12. Each family member files an individual form, from the same e FRRO user ID. A dependant visa does not allow employment in India.

### Do OCI cardholders need FRRO registration?

No. Rule 12(4)(d) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 exempts an OCI cardholder registered under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The exemption applies whatever the length of stay. An OCI cardholder working in India is still an international worker for PF if they hold a foreign passport.

### Does a foreign employee need an exit permit to leave India?

Usually not. The general instructions for registration by foreigners say a foreigner, other than a citizen of Pakistan or Afghanistan, need not seek exit clearance. Rule 15(2) of the 2025 Rules asks the foreigner to tell the Registration Officer the date of leaving. The certificate of registration is surrendered on final departure.

### Does the company have to file Form III for an expat?

Yes, if the company is the keeper of the accommodation, such as a guest house or serviced flat in its name. Section 8 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and rule 17(5) require Form III within 24 hours of arrival. Failure compounds at INR 50,000 on the FRRO scale.

### What should an employer do when a foreign employee leaves?

Notify the FRRO that the employment has ended and confirm the departure with flight details, as the general instructions for registration by foreigners ask. The employee informs the Registration Officer of the leaving date under rule 15(2). Settle tax and PF before the last day, and surrender the certificate at departure.

### What changed in the FRRO rules in June 2026?

G.S.R. 424(E) of 1 Jun 2026 amended rule 12(1) of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025. Holders of visas of 180 days or less must register before the 180 days expire, not 14 days after. Registration past 180 days on a visa with a 180 day stay limit is granted only in emergent circumstances.

## Sources

- Ministry of Home Affairs, The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (Act 13 of 2025), assent 4 Apr 2025, https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act_2025_16092025.pdf
- Ministry of Home Affairs, notification appointing 1 Sep 2025 as the commencement date of the Act, https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/Notification_on_commencement_date_of_Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act_2025_16092025.pdf
- Gazette of India copy of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, hosted by PRS Legislative Research, https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2025/The_Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act,_2025.pdf
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 596(E) of 1 Sep 2025, https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-09/Immigration_and_Foreigners_Rules_2025_16092025.pdf
- Gazette of India, Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026, G.S.R. 424(E) of 1 Jun 2026, https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2026/273046.pdf
- Ministry of Home Affairs, Notification regarding compounding of certain offences under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/2026-01/7._Notification_regarding_compounding_of_certain_offences_under_the_Immigration_and_Foreigners_Act%2C_2025_20012026.pdf
- Bureau of Immigration, e FRRO portal, https://indianfrro.gov.in/
- Bureau of Immigration, e FRRO e services instructions and FAQs, https://indianfrro.gov.in/eservices/
- FRRO Bengaluru, Registration brochure (undated), https://indianfrro.gov.in/frro/broucher-registration.pdf
- Bureau of Immigration, Penalties, https://boi.gov.in/boi/contents/registration-authority/penalties
- Ministry of External Affairs, Visa related services provided by FRROs and FROs, https://www.mea.gov.in/visa-related-services-provided-by-frros-fros-menu
- Press Information Bureau, Union Home Minister launches e FRRO scheme, 13 Apr 2018, https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1528992&reg=48&lang=2
- Invest India, FAQs on visa procedures and FRRO registration, https://www.investindia.gov.in/faq-pdf/46/en
- General instructions for registration by the foreigners (undated, older framework), hosted by the Embassy of India, Khartoum, https://www.eoikhartoum.gov.in/pdf/ForeigD-FRRO_version223.6.11.pdf
- University of Kerala, Circular No. 58368/C G A/2025/UOK of 21 Oct 2025 reproducing FRRO Thiruvananthapuram letter of 16 Oct 2025, https://keralauniversity.ac.in/pdfs/ordersCirculars/cgacircular1761046529.pdf

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