Indian bridal mehendi.www.flickr.com user hennadervish
If you've married an Indian citizen on a Tourist Visa in India and need to convert it to an X Visa (a residential visa), do be aware that the procedure has recently changed.
Previously, it was necessary to go to the Foreigner's Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in Delhi to apply, as this is the only place in India that's authorized to make such decisions. However, the MHA has now stated (refer to Section 1, Note 2 of this document) that Foreigners Regional Registration Offices/Foreigners Registration Offices (FRROs/FROs) should accept all cases, even if they're outside their delegated powers, and make a recommendation and forward it to the MHA for approval.
This means that you'll now need to apply at your local FRRO/FRO to get your Tourist Visa converted to an X visa in India.
As is to be expected in situations involving the Indian government, implementation of the new procedure has been poor, with some FRRO/FROs demonstrating lack of understanding about it. Last week, two of my friends separately approached the FRRO in Kolkata to get their Tourist visas converted to X visas. On both occasions, they were instructed to go the the MHA in Delhi to apply. One friend made an appointment and went there, only to be turned away, and told to go back to the FRRO in Kolkata as the MHA no longer accepts applications. The other friend was so confused by the conflicting advice she received, she gave up and decided to leave India to get her X visa! Very frustrating indeed.
Find out more about how to convert your Tourist Visa to an X Visa after marriage in India.
If you're been through the process, please share your experience here.
Wondering exactly how to get married in India? Have a read of this article to find out the legal requirements for a civil marriage in India.
Sharell,
I managed to speak to the DS (Foreigners) Mr. Vinod Kumar (reachable on extn 626 from the VFC enquiry counter at NDCC-II Building). Explained to him that even 5 days back Kolkata FRRO had told us to go to MHA. According him, that is entirely possible as the new order has been issued only 7 days back, possibly w.e.f September 1, 2012 (my surmise). He added that the information may not have trickled down to the FRRO front-desk officers yet. I further asked him what we are supposed to do, if the local FRRO should again refuse to accept our application. He asked me to note down the landline numbers of DS (Foreigners) and JS (Foreigners) and to request the FRRO officers to speak to either/both of them for clarifications.
FWIW, this notice (http://mha.nic.in/ForeigDiv/foreigners_division.htm) is plastered prominently **all over** the VFC areas. We saw the front-desk personnel turn away everyone and asking them to report to the local FRRO instead, even for people living in the NCR area.
What I did next directly from the VFC office was to call up Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, IPS (DC-I and Kolkata FRRO boss) on his cellphone. Told him that his officers had turned us away and sent us to MHA, who in turn is asking us to report back at Kolkata citing change of procedure. Mr Ahmed has asked me to visit him on our return back to Kolkata with our papers.
It is noteworthy, Mr. Ahmed usually sees about 4 – 5 people with visa / registration related issues etc, between 12 – 1 PM. No prior appointment is required, turning up by 11:45 AM usually does the trick and getting a visitor slip to see the DC-I.
Very helpful information, thank you Indranil. It’s most unfortunate that you’re having to go through this.