Source: Bureau of Immigration, Government of India.
Contact No: 011-26711384

The powers of Visa conversions and visa extensions to foreigners present in India, vests with the Ministry of Home Affairs. For this purpose the foreigners can approach the Foreigners Division, MHA, Lok Nayak Bhawan, Khan Market, New Delhi between 10 AM to 12 AM 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 MHA only in extraordinary circumstances. For this purpose, the foreigner should normally come in person to the office. In exceptional cases and where allowed, a duly authenticated representative may be sent. Foreigners not residing in Delhi may approach the FRRO/CHIO/FRO concerned who would forward their case in MHA for approval. Applications for extensions/conversions should be made well in advance.

For the convenience of the foreigners, however, the FRROs/CHIO/FROs are empowered to make extensions / conversions for certain types of Visas without referring the same to MHA. The details of such powers vested with FRROs etc. are: -

• In case of foreigners of Indian origin/foreigner married to Indian citizen/foreigner staying in India for more than 20 years, extension can be given on entry Visa by FRROs for a period of 5 years.

• FRRO can extend the VISA for three months in case of Employment & Business VISAs and forward the case for further extension upto 1 year, to MHA. After obtaining approval from MHA, FRRO can extend that VISA for further four years on year-to-year basis.

• RRO can convert visa and grant extension of stay to foreign students studying upto 12^th 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 12^th Standard) on valid visas such as Employment, Business, Research, Entry Student etc.

• FRRO can grant 15 days extension of stay on all types of visas on production of confirmed ticket for departure.

• For student VISA holders: - FRRO can extend the Student Visa for duration of the course or for a maximum period of 5 years, whichever is less, to bonafide students coming to India to join well-known institutions subject to fulfillment of conditions prescribed.  The visa fee for a student for the duration of the course or for a maximum period of 5 years, whichever is less, is US$ 75, but it remains a one time fee for duration of the course and all extensions within this duration are given free of cost.  An additional fee of US$ 75 has to be charged for change in course/subsequent course.  FRRO may allow change in Institution/course (on payment of fee) provided the new institution and course are also fully recognized/approved and are full-time proper courses.  In case of PG Courses, fee has to be charged (except ICCR Scholars & students of gratis countries) for extension of visa on the basis of bonafide certificates.  

• For Research VISA holders: FRRO can extend the VISA on the accreditation of the Ministry of Human Resource Development till the completion of Research work.  

• In case of Bangladeshi Nationals: FRRO can extend the short term single journey Visa in case of non-tourists upto a maximum of 3 months on medical grounds.  

• For journalist VISA holder: FRRO can extend the VISA on the accreditation of Min. of external Affairs

• FRRO can condone overstay only upto 3 months, after charging overstay fees of US $ 40 equivalent. Cases of overstay exceeding 3 months are decided by MHA.  

• FRRO can convert the category of the visa from Tourism to Entry visa in case of foreigners of Indian origin and grant extension upto 5 years with multiple entry facility.  For other foreign nationals, only MHA is empowered to convert the category of the visa.