FRRO registration

cool_r2i · Post by **cool_r2i** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:32 pm

I think this topic has been discussed elsewhere and also in the old MSN forum. However, I could not find concrete answers to some of the questions below.

a) Is PIO card holder minor (less than 16 years of age) required to register at FRRO? All the GOI websites say that it is not required to register a minor. But, when I did a search on this topic on the MSN forum, I found some parents talking about their experiences of registering. So, there is some confusion on this. It will be helpful to hear from members on this forum.
b) Is this registration one time OR needs to be done every 6 months? Again confusion created by google search. One person mentioned that it's a pain in pune since he needs to register every 6 months.
c) If the living city is changed (say for example from Bangalore to Chennai), is it required to register again?
d) Is this registration valid for life time of the PIO card OR is it valid only till next travel outside of India?

It will be very helpful to hear from members of this forum.

wish2r2i · Post by **wish2r2i** » Mon May 21, 2007 11:12 pm

a) We were at Pune for 16 months and we did not register our daughter.
b) one time
c) no
d) not sure

cool_r2i · Post by **cool_r2i** » Tue May 22, 2007 8:03 pm

wish2r2i;25598a) We were at Pune for 16 months and we did not register our daughter.
b) one time
c) no
d) not sure[/quote]

Thanks for your reply.
You mention you did not register. But, in contrast to this, I read some experiences of people registering in Bangalore. So, I don't know if they registered because it was a special condition (like a visitor visa or something).

From your reply I can infer that you are out of India right now. So, did they ask for anything related to registration while leaving India (at the port of exit)?

rati · Post by **rati** » Tue May 22, 2007 9:11 pm

If you have a PIO card, you donot have to register, period.(minor or not)

Any other visitor visa requires registration for stay over 6 months.
All over the internet it says not necessary for minors.

We went to register our 6 year old in hyd and one office said it was not necessary, while another said we have to, it is a pity the folks are not educated enough about their own policies,
We finally ended up not registering her, had no trouble in the airport, but I know of so many other parents who took the pains of registering their minors.

DosaiLvr · Post by **DosaiLvr** » Tue May 22, 2007 9:49 pm

http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/visa_guide.htm

"Registration formalities for foreigners visiting India on Long Term Visa

...

6. Children below 16 years: As per para 2 of Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957, children below the age of 16 years are exempt from the requirement of registration."

cool_r2i · Post by **cool_r2i** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:42 am

rati;25715If you have a PIO card, you donot have to register, period.(minor or not)

Any other visitor visa requires registration for stay over 6 months.
All over the internet it says not necessary for minors.

We went to register our 6 year old in hyd and one office said it was not necessary, while another said we have to, it is a pity the folks are not educated enough about their own policies,
We finally ended up not registering her, had no trouble in the airport, but I know of so many other parents who took the pains of registering their minors.[/quote]

I think the first statement above
If you have a PIO card, you donot have to register, period.(minor or not)
is not true.
According to the website mentioned in a reply from DosaiLvr, http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/visa_guide.htm, only minor (less than 16) are exempt from registration.

It's good to know your personal experience of NOT having a problem even though you did not register your minor child.

cool_r2i · Post by **cool_r2i** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:45 am

DosaiLvr;25726http://www.indianembassy.org/consular/visa_guide.htm

"Registration formalities for foreigners visiting India on Long Term Visa

...

6. Children below 16 years: As per para 2 of Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957, children below the age of 16 years are exempt from the requirement of registration."[/quote]

Thanks for the reply. It's all over there on the GOI websites. But, still people register in Bangalore. I am hoping that some one who is already living in India (Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad etc) will reply with their experience and if it is really required to register or not. Because, many times the websites are not up to date and personal experiences (like the one mentioned by another member below) are really helpful.

wish2r2i · Post by **wish2r2i** » Wed May 23, 2007 2:20 am

cool_r2i;25705Thanks for your reply.
You mention you did not register. But, in contrast to this, I read some experiences of people registering in Bangalore. So, I don't know if they registered because it was a special condition (like a visitor visa or something).

From your reply I can infer that you are out of India right now. So, did they ask for anything related to registration while leaving India (at the port of exit)?

My daughter has PIO card. No one asked about it while coming back (she was 2 then).

cool_r2i · Post by **cool_r2i** » Wed May 23, 2007 4:14 am

Thanks for all your replies. It really helps to know about personal experiences.

I had sent an email to the Consul general in SFO and I received an email stating that minors (under 16) need no registration if they hold PIO card.

direstraits88 · Post by **direstraits88** » Thu May 24, 2007 12:45 am

I was stopped at the airport in chennai while going on a vacation to singapore after a year of r2i. I had not registered my 4 year old kid who had a PIO card when we r2i'ed initially.

I gave the immigration guy the same story of what's published in the embassy website in a friendly way. I was allowed to go but told to register the next time. So when i went back to bangalore, i promptly went and registered..

For peace of mind.. just go ahead and register.. One less hassle to worry about.

It can be done in a day and involves no bribes.. :emwink: