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Updated 7 March 2022
The pandemic has increased the number of applicants trying to extend their visas, as entry to India was restricted to only certain types of visas. Fortunately, the Indian visa extension process is quite straightforward and readily available online.
Here is your guide on renewing your Indian visa; registration, procedure, documents, and other requirements.
Indian visa extension
The Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) is responsible for administering foreigner registration and immigration-related functions for visitors to India which includes visa extension. The services offered by the FRRO are available online for all foreigners.
There is no requirement to make an appointment and visit the FRRO/FRO office for extending visas unless specifically called upon. In case of urgency, the foreigner can visit the FRRO/FRO office directly to process their visa extension.
Please note that electronic visas cannot be extended. Once you enter India, it is valid for the indicated duration. If your e-visa expires you will have to apply for a new visa.
What are the required documents for visa extension?
The required documents vary depending on the type of visa. Here, we take a look at all the available visa types along with their respective requirements.
Medical Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- medical certificate
- Registration Certificate or Residential Permit (RC/RP)
Medical Attendant Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- medical certificate
- RC/RP
Student Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- bonafide certificate
- Form S
- RC/RP covering the visa period
- financial guarantee
Employment Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- contract paper
- request letter
- undertaking letter
- income tax paper
- RC/RP
Business Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- business proof
- RBI/GOI approval
- undertaking letter
- AIESEC letter
- incorporation letter
- Memorandum of Articles
- Director Identification Number (DIN) No. page
- income tax paper
- balance sheet
- RC/RP
Journalist Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- accreditation certificate
- RC/RP
Research Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- bonafide certificate
- financial resource proof
- RC/RP
Conference Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- invitation letter
- RC/RP
Project Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- contract paper
- income tax paper
- RC/RP
- undertaking letter
Missionary Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- RC/RP
- request letter
- undertaking letter
- proof of missionary
- registration
- proof of GOI approval
Entry Visa for dependents of Employment Visa, Business Visa, Student and Research Visa
- photo
- passport & visa
- passport of the principal visa holder
- proof of residency
- request letter
- undertaking letter
- RC/RP
Entry Visa (spouse or dependent of Indian citizen/Person of Indian Origin)
- photo
- passport & visa
- passport of the principal visa holder
- proof of residency
- marriage certificate/birth certificate
- proof of spouse/dependent of PIO
- undertaking
- RC/RP
Entry Visa (others)
- photo
- passport & visa
- proof of residency
- other documents
- letter from Secretary, Auroville
- letter from Managing Trustee of Shri Aurobindo Ashram
- RC/RP
Document specifications
- only one copy of each document type has to be uploaded.
- scanned documents should be in PDF format.
- a single supporting document can have multiple PDFs. The maximum size of each PDF should be 1 MB.
Photo specifications
- format – jpg
- size – maximum 1 MB
- the photo should portray the entire face, front view, eyes open
- center the head within the frame and present the full head from top of hair to bottom of chin
- the background should be plain light colored or white background
- no shadows on the face or on the background
- bring the same photo along with the application form.
- upload photo in passport size (3.5 x 3.5 cm or 3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- upload photo portion only
- don’t upload tilted, distorted, or blurred photo
How to apply for the Indian visa extension online?
The Indian visa extension process will include the following steps:
Step 1 – user creation
Once you have assembled all the necessary documents, you may start your online passport renewal application via the link https://indianfrro.gov.in. Create your user ID/password by registering online into the portal.
Step 2 – user authentication
A valid email ID and Indian mobile number are mandatory for obtaining the One Time Password (OTP). A valid email ID and mobile number also allow you to receive status updates/alerts at various processing stages.
Step 3 – log in with valid credentials
Once the user-ID/password has been successfully created, you can submit an online application by selecting the appropriate service and uploading the requisite documents.
Step 4 – online application submission and document upload
The application form should be carefully filled in and errors avoided. Further, necessary documents and photographs should be uploaded online in the designated format. Note that failure to upload the documents and photograph would render the application submission unsuccessful.
Step 5 – successful submission of application
The application would be duly scrutinized by visa officers only following a successful submission. Further, necessary instructions regarding the application such as fee payment, correction of selected/desired service, re-uploading of documents and others would be conveyed through email/SMS alerts.
Step 6 – online fee payment
You would be required to deposit the requisite fee, if any, for the service. The fee must be deposited online through the bank payment gateway available on the portal. The fee amount would be conveyed via email or SMS alerts.
Step 7 – status updates/alerts
At every stage of processing, the status of your application would be shared via SMS/Email. You can also track your status by logging into your dashboard through your registered email ID.
Step 8 – service granted/rejected
Upon the granting or rejection of your visa extension process, both would be properly informed to you. In case of a successful application, your visa extension certificate will be directly sent by post to the provided address as well as electronically to your registered email ID.
How to check the status of my Indian visa extension?
The status of your application will be shared via SMS/Email at every stage. Nevertherless, you can also track your status by logging into your dashboard in https://indianfrro.gov.in, through your registered email ID.