Foreigners visiting India may now approach the Union Home Ministry directly if their applications for extension of visa are not resolved by the Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) within 30 days.
The Union Home Ministry has decided that foreign tourists can approach its foreigners division with their grievances if a decision on extension or conversion of their visas is not taken by the FRRO within a month of their request.
The Ministry, however, made it clear that foreign nationals must visit the concerned jurisdictional FRRO or FRO first for such visa-related services before approaching the Home Ministry as it involves avoidable inconvenience, waste of time and financial burden to them.
The tourists can also visit the foreigners division of Home Ministry in cases of medical emergencies, official order said. The Government also delegated various powers to the FRROs and FROs to offer services to visiting foreigners including registration, visa extension and visa conversion.
If any service is required by a foreign national which is not covered in the delegated powers, even then the foreign national should first visit the concerned FRRO or FRO and put in a formal request for the service.
The FRRO/FRO will examine the request and if the official concurs with the foreigner’s plea, the same will be forwarded to the ministry for appropriate decision. In case the FRRO/FRO feels that the foreigner is not eligible/fit for visa conversion/extension, the official will straight away advise the tourist accordingly, the order added.