e-FRRO: India’s online visa services for foreigners

e-FRRO is the Bureau of Immigration portal for foreigners in India. Learn what it handles, how applications work and when you may still visit an office.

Glossary term · Visa & travel

By Nikhil Sharma, Founder · Updated · How we write and check

Definition

e-FRRO (also: e-FRRO portal, online FRRO): e-FRRO is the Government of India’s web portal through which foreigners in India apply online for registration, visa extension, exit permits and other immigration services.

e-FRRO is the online portal foreigners use for visa and immigration services while in India. It was launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs in April 2018 to offer faceless, cashless and paperless services. Patients and attendants use it to register, extend a visa or obtain an exit permit. Decisions and certificates arrive by email.

What can be done on e-FRRO?

At launch the government said foreigners could get as many as 27 visa and immigration services. MEA lists registration, visa extension, conversion, exit permission, change of address and other services.

How does an application work?

  • Create a user ID and password on the portal.
  • Fill the form and upload documents and a photograph in the required format. The application cannot be submitted until uploads succeed.
  • Pay any fee online.
  • Watch for emails or SMS asking for corrections.
  • Track status online and download the certificate once granted.

The portal advises applying at least two weeks in advance.

Do I need to visit an office?

The portal says there is no need to take an appointment or visit an FRRO office unless specifically called. In an emergency you may go to the office directly. The 2018 launch release noted that registration certificates are sent by post and by email.

For patients

If your specialist advises a longer stay, ask the hospital for the extension letter early. Registered hospitals generate extension letters on the Ministry of Home Affairs Medical and Ayush Visa Portal.

Questions people ask

Can an attendant apply on e-FRRO?

Yes. e-FRRO serves all foreigners in India who need an immigration service. Each person applies with their own passport and documents. Keep the patient’s and attendant’s applications linked by using the same hospital letter where asked.

Is e-FRRO the same as the e-Visa portal?

No. The e-Visa portal is where you apply for a visa before travel. e-FRRO is for services after you are in India, such as registration, visa extension or an exit permit. Keep your e-Visa grant letter handy, as you may need its details.

Sources

General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.

More glossary

Ayush visa

The Ayush visa is an Indian visa category for foreign nationals seeking treatment, therapeutic care, wellness or yoga under Ayush and other Indian systems of medicine.

e-Medical Attendant visa

The e-Medical Attendant visa is an electronic visa for a person accompanying a patient who holds an Indian e-Medical visa.

e-Medical visa

The e-Medical visa is an electronic visa issued through India’s official e-Visa portal to foreign nationals travelling for medical treatment at a hospital in India.

Fitness to fly

Fitness to fly is a doctor’s judgement that a patient can travel safely by air, sometimes confirmed in writing for the airline.

FRRO registration

FRRO registration is the process by which certain foreign nationals record their stay with India’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office or Foreigners Registration Office.

Heal in India

Heal in India is the Government of India’s initiative to promote medical value travel, including an official portal for international patients and related visa measures.

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