The Bureau of Immigration (BoI), Government of India, has issued a new reminder for foreigners arriving in the country on a Student Visa, outlining the registration requirements and procedures that will allow them to continue their academic programs without interruption.In a post on X, the Office shared that obtaining a Student Visa is only the first step. Students are also required to complete post-arrival formalities within the prescribed schedule to ensure that their stay in India remains legally valid.
Registration in 14 days
According to the council, all foreign nationals entering India on a Student Visa must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of their arrival.The registration process is carried out through the e-FRRO portal by requesting the “Registration” service.Once the application is approved, students receive a Registration Certificate or Residential Permit (RC/RP), which serves as proof of their legal stay in India. The Office advised students to carefully check the expiry date mentioned on the document, as it determines the validity of their residence permit.
When requesting an RC/RP extension
The Office has also clarified that if a student’s Registration Certificate or Residence Permit is nearing its expiration date while the Student Visa remains valid, they must apply for a “Registration Extension” through the e-FRRO portal before the permit expires.This process extends the validity of the residence permit without the need for immediate visa renewal.
Student Visa Extension
For students whose Student Visa is about to expire, the Office said they should apply for the “Visa Extension” service on the e-FRRO portal. This allows eligible foreign students to continue their academic program in India without disturbing their legal immigration status.The council distinguishes between the extension of the Registration Certificate or Residence Permit and the extension of the Student Visa, reminding students that the two documents have separate validity periods and must be monitored independently.With international student mobility continuing to grow, the Office’s advice serves as a reminder that timely registration and renewal of immigration documents remain an essential part of studying in India.
