R2I - FRO/FRRO experiences (Part I)
Our status: Hub and I are GC holders and the kids are American citizens.
Though it has been 8 months since we R2Ied, hub and I had only casually broached upon the topic of registration at the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO)/Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO). And today, at last, I went to the FRO’s office in Bangalore to check what we needed to do about our kids’ registrations. Now obviously, hub and I are not foreigners here and do not need to register. However, there has been a lot of confusion about the kids. Most of the returned NRIs we know have children with American citizenship. Most of us thought that kids under 16 years of age do not have to be registered or that if the kids have Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card, then the registration is not necessary. However, all of this is wrong info. One must register at the FRO, if one is not an Indian national. Period. And even if there are exemptions, it is always better to go to the FRO’s office in person and check.
The one exemption I know for a fact is that American kids with a PIO card do not have to register if they are staying in India for less than 6 months. Apparently, the PIO card says so! I am yet to check this.
Before going, I called up the FRO’s office to check if the kids must be registered. I was told that the kids should have been registered within 6 months of arrival. The office offers a grace period of a month after the first 6 months. And, if we still haven’t registered by then, we have to pay a fine of $30 per person and then register. Either way, I had decided to go to their office in person. So, I went.
Now, the FRO’s office is also the office of the Commissioner of Police here in Bangalore. It is this nice old colonial building on Infantry road, and still retains a lot of the old-world aura. I will provide the co-ordinates at the end of this post*.
On going to the office, one must first sign-in at the reception, where a couple of cops sit. The person you must then talk to will be available at the ‘Single Window‘ counter, and will answer all your questions. He was helpful and gave me clear instructions. He gave the necessary forms that we need for the kids and he also told me that we have to pay no money either as fees or as fine!!! I am not surprised at having heard otherwise over the phone earlier. He also told that the registration must be done only once during the validity of a visa irrespective of the number of times the foreigner leaves/re-enters India. Only if he/she enters India on a new visa will he/she be required to register again.
We must present all of the following at the FRO’s office for seeking residential permit for children below 16 years of age:
(He gives you a sheet that lists the specifics for your particular case)
Our (foreign) kids- A single copy of the Reporting Form. See pic to the right
- 3 passport size photos per child
- Copy of passport visa page or PIO card page
- Proof of local residence
- Bonafide certificate from the educational institutions for students admitted to schools. (He asked me how old my kids were. I said 4 and 2+. He then asked me to skip the school certificate.)
- Copies of birth certificate if the children were born in India (not applicable for us)
- Letter of guardianship (again, not applicable for us)
- Copies of parents’ Indian passports (if parents are foreigners themselves, then they must present their RC and RP. No clue what RC and RP stand for)
- Financial Guarantee Certificate (see pic and details below) issued by an Indian on a document sheet attested by a Notary + a copy of Indian Passport/Voter’s Identity Card/Ration Card of the financial guarantor
The FRO’s office gives a copy of the Financial Guarantee Affidavit. We must get the contents typed out on a Document sheet with franking of Rs. 20/- denomination. Apparently, you get these at the State Bank of Mysore. We must then have these attested by a Notary. Also, you can get a single affidavit done for all your children combined.
So far, I have the info. That’s why I call the post Part I. When we actually get done with the registration itself, I will post the developments here. I have been told that the FRO’s office works well and makes the whole thing fairly easy for you. Will update from experience.
*The Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City is the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) for Bangalore City.
Deputy Commissioner of Police - Intelligence, Bangalore is authorised to perform the duties of Foreigners Registration Officer in Bangalore City and his office is located in the premises of the office of the Commissioner of Police.
Commissioner of Police
Infantry Road, Bangalore - 560051
Phone : +91-80 - 2294 2186
Fax : +91-80 - 22200920
Here’s the map (I got this shot from Yahoo! Maps, erased the irrelevant details, and inserted the FRO’s office location locally)
Click to see larger image
Jun 14 ‘07: Adding commenters’ inputs:
- American citizens who have the OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) card do not have to register with the FRO’s office.
- On a tourist visa, you do not have to register with the FRO’s office as long as you leave the country at least once every 180 days.
Aug 25th 2008 - My 2nd post on how no FRO/FRRO registration maybe required for kids under 16 yrs of age.
Filed under: FRRO, FRO, Citizenship, Children, R2I
Am I glad I am staying here??!!It’s scary just to think of the hassle.
Ho Ho hooooo! U r having great experiences and thanks for putting them on your post.
I missed the Midnight marathon, bcoz I was not in City.
Hi chitra,
Same anon here.. I wanted to add to your post that people with American citizenship who have obtained the OCIOverseas citizen of India) card need not register with the office that you mentioned.
Asha, Good !stay wherever you are.
India is too good for people who think everything a hassle.
Man, you seem to have a lot of time on your hands, posting all this detailed info.
I love your detailed post! Will your kids have both american and indian citizenship? or only american?
My one yr tourist visa says no need to register as long as I leave once every 180 days, I hope that is right, now I am a little concerned.
here is my partner’s version of the FRO. Your paperwork sounds a lot more complicated.
http://edgeplay.blogspot.com/2007/02/foreigners-registration-office.html
Asha, it is not too much of a hassle.
It may seem so, but apparently the FRO’s office co-operates well and makes it easy for us.
Kamlesh, welcome back. I was just beginning to wonder where you went.
Same Anon, thanks for your input.
Anon 1, I guess the details in the post are a little intimidating?
Anon 2, yes it sure does seem like I have a lot of time on my hands. Am I not glad I R2Ied?
Debbie Ann, thanks for the link. I will check it out. There is the dual citizenship, but I am still not sure about the details. We will try and opt that for the kids sometime in the future.
I think the FRO’s office does mention about the 180 days clause for foreigners, but I don’t know it for sure. You probably have the right info, especially if you’ve got it from their office.
hey chitra,
thank you for that very informative and lucid post! if you dont’t mind sharing with us,are you and your husband planning on giving up your permanent resident status? don’t you have to spend at least 6 months in a year in the US to retain your GCs?
Amritha, thanks! ‘Lucid’ is a nice word.
Yes, we are not planning on retaining the GC. Though we were quite sure of returning when we did, the GC was like a back door of sorts, I guess. Now, we know that we will not need it because the move back has been good. The other thing is I really didn’t want citizenship there, coming to think of it.
PS: I didn’t get any of your emails. Didn’t you say elsewhere that you had emailed me?
Thanks for the info Chitra. We have been sitting on completing this for our kid for over an year now. I have heard its not such a big hassle. Just a necessary formality.
Will go do this next week.
Very informative post. Wish you the best with all these formalities. Would really like to know first hand how these things work.
Yes, a new look for my blog. Thanks.
No Comments on the post itself, since it is not relevant to me, but I do like the way you handle rude anonymous commenters
Very graceful. I don’t have the same patience myself ! 
You are welcome, silkboard. And do let us know how it goes.
You are welcome, silkboard. And do let us know how it goes.
Pradeep, thanks!
Poppins, thanks for the huge compliment. Very kind. When I started the blog, I had decided on 2 things; no swearing in my posts and no deleting of comments (unless it attacks/offends another commenter). I don’t take anything personally, and so don’t get offended (thanks to my hubby for the pointers). Helps a lot. I have a feeling this is a good testing ground for the future when my kids are going to be in their teens! :))
Chitra, never went through this (for the kid at least).. I appreciate the effort you have taken to put this info up there… good stuff !!!
We used to be GC holders as well.. but kid was born in good old India..
chitra,
Thanks for such an elaborate and very informative post. It also helps to know that there are no hassles in getting this done. Appreciate your efforts of putting all the information including the application forms! That’s really good.
nags.
Chitra,
Couple of additional points…
1. When you have to pay the $30 fine you have to do it at the RBI on St. Marks Road. Maybe it has changed in the last 6 years.
2. When the visa itself expires, you get a new visa through the FRO’s office itself.
Sorry RBI is on Nruptunga Road.
And great information here BTW - forgot to compliment you on the effort you have taken.
Vijay, Nags, thanks!
Mp, welcome to my blog. Thanks for your inputs and compliment.
So, I am guessing you returned 6 years ago and paid a fine of $30 too?
Read more R2I experience checkout the R2I forum at Indian Students Network www.IndianStudentsNetwork.com
I think RC & RP means Resident Card OR Resident Permit
Hi Chitra,
Thanks very much for such a nice post. I am a regular visitor to your blog and your blog is quite helpful as we are planning to move to Bangalore this December, if all goes well.
I have a small query, if you could help me would be great. My hubby has a nationality of the country we are living in right now. DO you know anyone who works in India with a PIO card? Or is OCI better? Does PIO card have any problems to work in India? Also, is the paper work too much and does it take too much time to register at FRO? If you could give me some info. on this would be very helpful. Also, do you have any idea about the procedure to change PIO card to OCI? Sorry for so many questions..thanks
if your children wish to study in a government medical college or one of the recs/iits, would they be able to as they are us citizens?
my daughter is an american, what happens if I neither take OCI nor PIO card and let her remain purely american?Will it affect her prospects in india vis a vis schools, other stuff, etc?
Thanks chaitra… we have R2Ied to Bangalore a couple of months back and wanted to know if there are any further updates to the same from when published by you …
kewldudes, I am going to FRRO, bangalore today. I will post my experience.
I have applied for my sons Entry Visa (he was born here but holds a foreign passport) but have not received it yet. Its now 3 months that we have the acknowledgement but no firm Visa stamp on his passport yet. Do you have any information abt similar cases ? The FRO office told me it can take upto 6 months to get the Visa from Delhi. I cant apply for his OCI unless I have this initial VISA.
Thanks Jesal… Will await your experience.
For the local address proof, will address proof of the parents suffice or do we need to provide the same for the kids ?
Btw i found the official website for FRRO !
http://www.bcp.gov.in/english/foreigners/index.html
Lastly is the FRRO open on saturdays ?
Have a quesion :
Can kids join school in India with an Entry Visa and later in india apply for OCI. I am in a situation where i need to return to india to join work , I have OCI but my children ages 8 and 4 who are US citizens to do not have an OCI
What are my options , considering the time.
Apply for Entry Visa and then in India apply for OCI.
thanks
bina
first let me give some background.. I am not from Bangalore and staying in Bangalore in a rental apartment. my falut that I had to go five times because, I didn’t check if the day I was going was public holiday… FRRO observes all bank holidays.. another important thing is if you want any information, at-least go with form1(registration certificate), reporting form and original passport.. they will provide all information you need. very helpful but you need passport and forms filled. I registered for myself only as I had to have to get the PAN card. My wife and kids I didn’t register and instead applied for OCI which is already granted (in 15 days– OCI is an excellent service).
Below are the documents required.
copy of lease agreement … you can get a letter from your parents that you are staying with them… best thing would be to take them with you.
for Self
1) Reporting Form (1)
2) Registration Certificate in the proforma (4 copies) - you can get this from FRRO
3) passport photos (5)
4) copy of passport (first and last page) and copy of visa page Or PIO copy (2 copies)
5) Financial Guarantee on 20 rs stamp paper (from your employeer with the ID copy of the person who is signing the letter. (1 original + 1 copy) I am not sure if you can give both copies and keep original.. I gave original + copy
You can get this from your parents as well..
I got it from company as my parents are not in Bangalore
6) employment letter (offer letter) - 2 copies
7) letter of employeer addressed to FRO about the duration of employment
9) 30$ if you are late ( they accept cash in Rs)
In addtion I provided below just to be safe
9) copy of birth certificate (not required)
11) copy of name change certificate
I didn’t apply for my spouse and kids but below is the list on what’s needed for spouse
copy of marriage certificate (2 copies)
————————-for spouse
1) reporting form (1 copy)
2) Registration certificate (4 copies)
3) copy of passport and visa/PIO ( 2 copies)
4) passport size photos (5)
5) spouses (meaning self) RC and RP - copy — this you may not have unless you have got your RC & RP) (2 copies) - check with FRRO
6) Financial Guarantee (same as for main applicant but the name in the letter should say ” wife of/husband of (2 copies)
7) proof of address(2 copies)
9) 30$ if late
—————for kids (if student, otherwise not required)
1) reporting form (1 copy)
2) copy of passport and visa/PIO ( 2 copies)
3) passport size photos (3)
4) Financial Guarantee (same as for main applicant but the name in the letter should say ” wife of/husband of (2 copies)
5) proof of address(2 copies)
6) bonafied certificate from the school — ask school and they will provide it (2 copies)
7) copy of parents passport and PIO (2 copies)
bina, you can go to india with multiple entry visa Or get PIO (4 weeks in US) and apply for OCI when you are in india. I came with PIO and was in same situation as you.
[…] writing the first post of our FRO/FRRO experiences, I haven’t written anything at all on the topic and neither have I answered any of the […]
[…] Jun of ‘07, I had gone to the FRO’s office in Bangalore and the FRO’s office had clearly said how we needed to get our kids registered.But […]
Excellent Post. I have to go thru with this process soon in Hyderabad for my baby.
If you have an OCI can you get a voter’s ID card in Bangalore? I just moved to Bangalore, I’m trying to get phone connection and internet. But wherever I go they ask for voter’s ID. I have the PAN ID card, but that doesn’t seem to be sufficient.
Thanks.