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Can OCI Cardholders Join Protests in India? What the Imran Khan Leave India Notice Means for Every OCI Holder By Devendra Kumar, Director, Fargo Worldwide Last checked: 8 November 2026 Reading time: about 9 minutes A Leave India Notice is a written direction from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) telling a foreign national to leave India by a fixed date. In October 2026 the FRRO in Mumbai issued one to actor Imran Khan, a US citizen who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, after he attended a protest in the city. The case is still before the Bombay High Court, and it has left many OCI holders asking the same question: what am I actually allowed to do in India? This guide answers that in plain language. It covers what OCI cardholders can and cannot do, how a Leave India Notice differs from an OCI show-cause notice, the legal grounds for cancelling an OCI card, and what to do if a notice reaches you. It is based on the Citizenship Act, 1955, the Home Ministry’s March 2021 OCI notification, the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026, and the court proceedings reported so far. How we approach this case This article explains the law and the process. Fargo Worldwide takes no position on the protest, on the people involved, or on how the court should decide. Key takeaways OCI is not citizenship. It is a lifelong, visa-like status. On 2 November 2026 the Bombay High Court observed that OCI cardholders cannot claim the same rights as Indian citizens. The OCI rules list activities that need special permission, such as research, journalism and visits to protected areas. Protests are not on that list, but the government has wider powers to cancel OCI status or direct a foreign national to leave. A Leave India Notice and an OCI show-cause notice are separate steps. In the Khan case the show-cause notice gave 15 days to reply. An OCI card cannot be cancelled without a reasonable opportunity of being heard, under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act. Received a Leave India Notice? Note every deadline, reply in writing, and speak to a qualified immigration lawyer straight away. Free OCI compliance check Not sure whether something you plan to do needs permission? Tell us briefly what you plan to do in India. We’ll tell you whether a special permit or an FRRO intimation is needed before you start. Ask on WhatsApp Email us Contents What happened in the case OCI is not citizenship Can OCI holders join protests? Notice types compared Grounds for OCI cancellation Received a notice? 6 steps OCI compliance checklist What happens next FAQs How Fargo Worldwide helps 1. What happened in the Imran Khan Leave India Notice case? Imran Khan, a Bollywood actor who is a US citizen and an OCI cardholder, received a Leave India Notice from the FRRO in Mumbai after attending a protest in the city on 10 October 2026. He challenged it in the Bombay High Court, which has kept the notice on hold until the next hearing on 7 December 2026. Date What happened 10 Oct 2026 Khan attends a protest in Mumbai linked to the revision of electoral rolls and is briefly detained by police. 14 Oct 2026 FRRO Mumbai issues a Leave India Notice directing him to leave India by 28 October. Reports say it relies on the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. 17 Oct 2026 He files a writ petition in the Bombay High Court. The FRRO also issues a show-cause notice asking why his OCI registration should not be cancelled, with 15 days to reply. 27 Oct 2026 The High Court keeps the notice in abeyance until 2 November. 2 Nov 2026 Khan gives an unconditional apology and a written undertaking not to join future protests. The court extends its protection until 7 December. 7 Dec 2026 Next hearing. The FRRO’s decision on his OCI status is still pending. Upcoming Timeline of the Leave India Notice case, based on court reports up to 8 November 2026 What each side argued In his petition, Khan called the notice arbitrary, unconstitutional and disproportionate. He said he has lived in India since the age of two, has no criminal record, and that no OCI rule bars taking part in a peaceful protest. At the 2 November hearing, the High Court took a different view of OCI status. It observed that an OCI cardholder cannot act as an Indian citizen or claim the same rights as one, and it asked for an unconditional apology rather than an undertaking alone. The case is Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India, Writ Petition (L) 36271 of 2026. No final ruling yet The court’s remarks so far were made at interim hearings. Treat them as a strong signal of how courts view OCI status, not as a final judgment. 2. OCI is not citizenship: what OCI cardholders can and cannot do OCI is a lifelong, multiple-entry status for foreign nationals of Indian origin and foreign spouses of Indian citizens or OCI holders. It brings many practical benefits, but in law an OCI cardholder remains a citizen of another country. OCI rights and limits under the Citizenship Act and the March 2021 MHA notification Category Details Source Can do Visit India any number of times for any purpose; stay for any length of time without FRRO registration; buy residential and commercial property (not agricultural land); practise professions such as medicine, law, architecture and chartered accountancy under the relevant law; pay the same domestic airfares and monument entry fees as Indians s.7B; MHA, 4 Mar 2021 Needs special permission first Research; missionary, Tabligh, mountaineering or journalistic work; internships or jobs with foreign diplomatic missions or foreign government bodies in India; visits to protected, restricted or prohibited areas MHA, 4 Mar 2021 Must report If you live in India, email your jurisdictional FRRO or FRO whenever your permanent address or occupation changes MHA, 4 Mar 2021 Cannot do Vote; contest elections

인도 FRRO 등록 완벽 가이드 2026: 파견 한국 엔지니어와 기업을 위한 실무 정리 작성: Devendra Kumar (Fargo Worldwide 대표) 최종 확인: 2026년 11월 7일 읽는 시간: 약 10분 인도 FRRO 등록은 인도 현장에 엔지니어를 보내는 한국 기업이 가장 자주 놓치는 행정 절차입니다. 비자를 받았다고 끝이 아닙니다. 인도에 도착한 뒤 정해진 기한 안에 외국인 등록을 마쳐야 하고, 현장을 옮기거나 숙소를 바꿀 때도 신고 의무가 따릅니다. 이 글은 2025년 9월 1일 시행된 「이민 및 외국인법 2025(Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025)」와 2026년 6월 1일 개정된 규칙을 기준으로, 인도 FRRO 등록 대상과 기한, 절차, 서류, 현장 이동 시 신고, 벌칙까지 한국 엔지니어와 인사·총무 담당자가 알아야 할 내용을 실무 순서대로 정리했습니다. 핵심 요약 취업비자(유효기간 180일 초과)는 입국 후 14일 이내에 인도 FRRO 등록을 마쳐야 합니다. 2026년 6월 개정 이후에도 이 기한은 그대로입니다. 180일 이하 비자로 들어와 180일 넘게 머물려면, 이제 180일이 끝나기 전에 등록해야 합니다. 기존의 ‘만료 후 14일’ 유예는 없어졌습니다. 등록은 인도 안에서 e-FRRO 포털(indianfrro.gov.in) 또는 ‘Indian Visa Su-Swagatam’ 앱으로 온라인 신청합니다. 현장 이동으로 주소를 바꾸거나 8주 이상 등록 주소를 비울 예정이면 떠나기 전에 신고해야 합니다. 체류 기간 초과나 비자 조건 위반은 최대 3년 징역 또는 최대 30만 루피 벌금 대상입니다. 무료 기한 확인 우리 직원의 인도 FRRO 등록 마감일, 지금 확인하세요 입국일과 비자 사본만 있으면 적용되는 규정과 정확한 등록 마감일을 알려드립니다. WhatsApp으로 상담하기 이메일로 문의하기 목차 인도 FRRO 등록이란? 등록 대상과 기한 2026년 6월 개정 사항 e-FRRO 등록 절차 필요 서류 체크리스트 파견 일정별 체크리스트 현장 이동 시 신고 의무 위반 시 벌칙 자주 하는 실수 7가지 자주 묻는 질문 Fargo Worldwide 지원 1. 인도 FRRO 등록이란 무엇인가요? 인도 FRRO 등록은 인도에 장기 체류하는 외국인이 FRRO(Foreigners Regional Registration Office, 외국인 지역 등록 사무소)에 체류 사실과 주소를 신고하고 등록증을 받는 절차입니다. FRRO는 인도 내무부 산하 이민국(Bureau of Immigration)에 속하며, FRRO가 없는 지역에서는 FRO(Foreigners Registration Officer)가 같은 역할을 합니다. 2025년 9월 1일부터 「이민 및 외국인법 2025」가 시행되면서 1920년 여권(입국)법, 1939년 외국인 등록법, 1946년 외국인법, 2000년 이민(운송업자 책임)법 등 4개 법률이 하나로 통합되었습니다. 등록 기한과 방법 같은 세부 절차는 같은 날 고시된 「이민 및 외국인 규칙 2025(Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025)」가 정합니다. 등록이 승인되면 등록증(Certificate of Registration)이 발급됩니다. 현장에서는 흔히 ‘RP(Residential Permit)’라고 부르며, 이후 비자 연장이나 출국 같은 모든 체류 업무의 기준 서류가 됩니다. 관할 사무소를 먼저 확인하세요 인도 정부는 모든 주(州) 수도에 FRRO를 두는 방향으로 사무소를 늘리고 있으며, 2026년 11월에도 나갈랜드·트리푸라·오디샤에 새 FRRO를 고시했습니다. 관할이 바뀔 수 있으므로 신청 전에 e-FRRO에서 현재 관할 사무소를 확인하세요. 2. 인도 FRRO 등록 대상과 기한 비자 종류와 유효기간에 따라 다릅니다. 인도 파견 엔지니어 대부분이 해당하는 취업비자(유효기간 180일 초과)의 인도 FRRO 등록 기한은 입국일로부터 14일 이내입니다. 구분 등록 필요 여부 등록 기한 취업·학생·의료·기자·선교 비자(유효기간 180일 초과) 필요 입국 후 14일 이내 180일 이하 비자로 입국,180일 넘게 체류 희망 필요 180일이 끝나기 전 2026 개정 상용비자 등 ‘1회 체류 180일 이하’ 조건이 붙은 장기 비자 1회 또는 연간 누적 180일 초과 시 180일이 끝나기 전 비자에 등록 의무(Registration Required)가 표기된 경우 필요 표기된 기한 12세 미만 아동, OCI 카드 소지자 면제 – 비자 유형별 인도 FRRO 등록 기한 (2026년 6월 1일 개정 반영) 실무 팁: 기준일은 ‘입국 도장 날짜’입니다 숙소가 아직 정해지지 않았거나 회사 서류가 늦어져도 14일 기한은 멈추지 않습니다. 출국 전에 한국에서 서류를 미리 준비해 두고, 인도 도착 후 첫 주에 인도 FRRO 등록을 신청하는 것을 원칙으로 삼으세요. 3. 2026년 6월 1일 개정, 무엇이 달라졌나요? 인도 내무부(MHA)는 2026년 6월 1일 「이민 및 외국인 (개정) 규칙 2026」을 관보에 고시하고 즉시 시행했습니다. 가장 큰 변화는 180일 이하 비자 소지자가 체류를 연장하려면 180일이 끝나기 전에 등록해야 한다는 점입니다. 항목 개정 전 개정 후 (2026.6.1~) 180일 이하 비자 → 180일 넘게 체류 180일이 지난 뒤 14일 이내 등록 180일이 끝나기 전 언제든 등록 정해진 기한 이후의 등록 별도 제한 문구 없음 ‘긴급한 사정’이 있을 때만 허용하는 문구 추가 부모 중 한 명이 인도인인 자녀의 출생 신고 출생 후 30일 이내 전자 신고 인도 국적을 유지하면 면제, 이후 외국 국적 취득 시 30일 이내 신고 주의: 취업비자의 ‘입국 후 14일’ 규정은 바뀌지 않았습니다 개정 소식이 ‘180일 전에만 등록하면 된다’로 잘못 전달되는 경우가 많습니다. 인도 이민국은 2026년 7월 공식 안내에서도 유효기간 180일을 넘는 취업·학생·의료·기자·선교 비자 소지자는 입국 후 14일 이내에 등록해야 한다고 다시 강조했습니다. 취업비자 하위 분류도 바뀌었습니다 같은 시기에 취업비자 하위 분류가 E-1(일반 취업·주재원 등 E-2, E-3을 제외한 모든 취업), E-2(비정부기구 등), E-3(선교·종교 활동, 승인 기관 등)으로 재편되었습니다. 인도 법인에 고용되거나 본사에서 파견되는 한국 엔지니어는 대부분 E-1에 해당하며, 현재까지 인도 FRRO 등록 실무에 큰 변화는 없습니다. 취업비자 자체에 대한 안내는 인도 취업비자 가이드에서 확인할 수 있습니다. 규정이 헷갈린다면 직원별 비자 사본을 보내주세요 직원마다 어떤 규정이 적용되는지, 언제까지 무엇을 제출해야 하는지 한 장으로 정리해 드립니다. 비자 사본 이메일로 보내기 WhatsApp으로 보내기 4. 인도 FRRO 등록 절차 (e-FRRO 6단계) 인도 FRRO 등록은 인도 도착 후 온라인으로 진행합니다. 일반적인 경우 사무소를 방문하지 않아도 되며, 등록관이 필요하다고 판단할 때만 면담이나 생체정보 등록을 요청합니다. 인도 도착 후 연락처 준비인도 휴대폰 번호와 자주 확인하는 이메일을 준비하세요. 인도 이민국은 e-FRRO 비자 서비스를 인도에 있는 외국인만 이용할 수 있다고 안내합니다. 계정 만들기indianfrro.gov.in 또는 ‘Indian Visa Su-Swagatam’ 앱에서 여권·비자 정보로 계정을 만듭니다. 신청서(Form I) 작성‘Registration’ 서비스를 선택하고 여권 정보, 인도 내 주소, 회사 정보, 비상 연락처, 동반 가족, 병역 여부를 입력합니다. 서류 업로드와 제출아래 체크리스트의 서류를 올리고 제출합니다. 화면에 나오는 신청 번호는 꼭 따로 저장하세요. 심사 대응진행 상황은 이메일과 SMS로 옵니다. 추가 정보, 면담, 생체정보(사진·지문) 등록을 요청받으면 지정된 일정에 응하세요. 등록증 다운로드승인되면 등록증(Certificate of Registration)을 내려받아 여권과 함께 보관합니다. 한국 남성이라면 꼭 확인하세요: 병역 질문 등록 신청서(Form I)에는 “어느 나라든 육군·해군·공군 또는 예비군에서 복무한 적이 있는가”를 묻는 항목이 있고, ‘예’를 고르면 소속, 직위(계급), 최종 근무지를 적어야 합니다. 대한민국 남성 대부분은 병역을 마쳤고 전역 후 예비군에 편성되므로, 사실대로 ‘예’를 선택하고 내용을 정확히 입력하세요. 사실과 다른 기재는 보완 요청과 지연의 원인이 됩니다. 출국 전 준비 인도는 외국인에게 도착 전 72시간 이내에 전자 입국 카드(e-Arrival Card)를 작성하도록 하고 있습니다. 출장자 안내문에 함께 넣어 두면 공항에서 시간을 아낄 수 있습니다. 5. 인도 FRRO 등록 필요 서류 체크리스트 취업비자 엔지니어의 인도 FRRO 등록에는 아래 서류를 PDF 또는 이미지 파일로 준비하세요. 관할 사무소와 개인 상황에 따라 추가 서류를 요청받을 수 있습니다. 취업비자 엔지니어의 FRRO 등록 서류 체크리스트 여권 스캔본: 인적사항 면, 인도 비자 면, 입국 도장이 찍힌 면 증명사진: 최근 촬영, 흰 배경 인도 내 거주지 증빙: 등록된 임대차계약서,

Employment Visa Salary Threshold 2026: ₹24 Lakh Update | Fargo Worldwide Employment Visa Salary Threshold 2026: What Counts, Who Is Exempt, and the Reported Increase By Devendra Kumar Arya, Director, Fargo Worldwide (OPC) Private Limited, Gurugram · Last verified: 6 November 2026 · Reading time: about 16 minutes The Employment Visa salary threshold is the minimum gross annual salary a foreign national must draw from an Indian employer to qualify for an Indian Employment Visa. Indian Missions publish this minimum as a gross salary in excess of ₹16.25 lakh per year. In mid-October 2026, global immigration firm Fragomen reported that the figure being applied to new Employment Visa applications and renewals filed in India had risen to ₹24 lakh, although the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has not yet published an official notification. For HR teams and foreign employees, that gap between the published rule and the figure reportedly applied at the counter matters most at one moment: the next visa extension. This guide explains what the threshold is, what counts towards it, who is exempt, what is confirmed and unconfirmed about the ₹24 lakh figure, and the exact steps employers should take now. Quick Answer: What Is the Employment Visa Salary Threshold in 2026? Published minimum: a gross salary in excess of ₹16.25 lakh per year, as listed on Indian Mission visa pages (checked 6 November 2026). Reported working figure: ₹24 lakh per year for new Employment Visa applications and renewals filed in India, effective from mid-October 2026. No MHA notification yet. Fully exempt: ethnic cooks of foreign Missions, non-English language teachers and translators, foreign artistes on performance contracts, and coaches of national, state or reputed club teams. Lower floors: ₹9.10 lakh for faculty at central higher-education institutions; ₹3.60 lakh for persons of Indian origin and spouses or children of Indian citizens who are not OCI cardholders. Our advice: plan new offers and any extension due in the next 12 months at ₹24 lakh or above until MHA clarifies. Employment Visa salary rules at a glance (as of 6 November 2026) Item Current position Authority / source Published minimum salary Gross salary in excess of ₹16.25 lakh per year MHA visa guidelines, as published by Indian Missions Reported revised minimum ₹24 lakh per year (about 47.7% higher) Fragomen alert, 16 October 2026; no MHA notification Reported scope New Employment Visa applications and renewals filed in India Fragomen alert, 16 October 2026 Faculty at central higher-education institutions ₹9.10 lakh per year MHA decision, February 2017 Persons of Indian origin; spouses or children of Indian citizens (non-OCI) ₹3.60 lakh per year Indian Mission guidance Honorary work with a registered NGO Honorarium of up to ₹10,000 per month Indian Mission guidance Who checks it Indian Missions at visa issue; FRRO/FRO under the Bureau of Immigration at extension MHA framework Is an Employment Visa extension coming up for your team? Get a free salary-compliance check before you file. We will tell you whether each file clears the current Employment Visa salary threshold and what to fix first. WhatsApp us Book a free consultation In this guide What is the Employment Visa salary threshold? The reported ₹24 lakh increase: confirmed vs unconfirmed What counts toward the threshold? Who is exempt, and who has a lower floor? Who does not need an Employment Visa at all? How the threshold affects FRRO extensions Employer checklist: 7 steps Illustrative scenarios Common mistakes How Fargo Worldwide helps Frequently asked questions Key takeaways What Is the Employment Visa Salary Threshold? The Employment Visa salary threshold is a minimum pay condition attached to India’s Employment Visa. A foreign national can only be sponsored for this visa if the Indian company, organisation or project engaging them pays a gross annual salary above the set floor, unless an exemption applies. The rule sits inside a broader eligibility test. According to the Employment Visa page of the Consulate General of India, San Francisco, the applicant should be a highly skilled or qualified professional engaged by an organisation in India on contract or employment basis, must show proof of that engagement and of their qualifications, and should draw a gross salary in excess of ₹16.25 lakh per year. When MHA extended the salary floor to Employment Visas in every sector in 2010, it explained that limiting Employment Visas to people earning above it would generally keep these visas away from routine, ordinary or clerical jobs. That purpose still explains how officers read borderline files today. Who sets the threshold and who applies it? Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA): sets visa policy, including the salary condition and its exemptions. Indian Missions and Posts abroad (under the Ministry of External Affairs): check the salary when they issue a fresh Employment Visa. FRRO or FRO (Bureau of Immigration, under MHA): check it again when an Employment Visa is extended in India through the e-FRRO portal. Is the threshold in US dollars or Indian rupees? The threshold began in US dollars. In 2010, MHA told Parliament that a foreign national sponsored for an Employment Visa in any sector should draw a salary in excess of USD 25,000 per year. By 2017, MHA was already describing the general floor in rupees as ₹16.25 lakh, and current Mission pages state it as a gross salary above ₹16.25 lakh. Many websites still quote “USD 25,000” and convert it into today’s rupee value. Those conversions are not the published rule. If you are drafting a contract, state the gross annual salary in Indian rupees. How the Employment Visa minimum salary has changed since 2010. Date Change Source October 2010 Minimum salary in excess of USD 25,000 per year for Employment Visas in any sector, with exemptions for ethnic cooks, non-English language teachers and translators, and embassy staff MHA reply in the Lok Sabha February 2017 Floor for foreign faculty (Assistant Professor and above) at central higher-education institutions reduced from ₹16.25 lakh to ₹9.10 lakh MHA, reported by PTI October 2026 ₹24 lakh reportedly applied to new applications and renewals filed in

Visiting India for Diwali: e-Visa, OCI & Arrival Checklist Visiting India for Diwali: e-Visa, OCI & Arrival Checklist for Foreigners and NRIs Visiting India for Diwali starts with the right documents. By Fargo Worldwide Editorial Team Updated: 2 November 2026 Reading time: about 10 minutes Visiting India for Diwali is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the country. For five days, homes glow with oil lamps, markets stay open late and families gather for Lakshmi Puja. In 2026 the main Diwali night is Sunday, 8 November, and airports and hotels get much busier in the fortnight around it. Foreign nationals, OCI cardholders and NRIs travel for family reunions or a first taste of the festival, yet every season we see avoidable problems: a late e-Visa, an OCI card linked to an old passport or a missed arrival form. This India travel guide for foreigners and NRIs covers what to check before visiting India for Diwali: the right visa, the e-Visa process, OCI rules, the e-Arrival Card, FRRO registration, an arrival checklist and where to celebrate. Visiting India for Diwali: Key Takeaways Foreigners need a valid Indian visa or an OCI card. Apply for an e-Visa two to three weeks ahead (minimum four days). The e-Arrival Card is mandatory for all foreign passport holders, including OCI cardholders, within 72 hours before arrival. e-Tourist Visas cannot be extended or converted inside India. Diwali 2026 Dates at a Glance Sat, 7 NovChoti Diwali Sun, 8 NovDiwali & Lakshmi Puja Mon, 9 NovGovardhan Puja Tue, 10 NovBhai Dooj Fri, 29 Oct 2027Next year’s Diwali In This Guide Why Visit India During Diwali? Indian Visa Requirements India e-Visa for Diwali OCI Cardholders e-Arrival Card India Arrival Checklist FRRO Registration Best Places to Celebrate Travel Tips Common Mistakes FAQs Expert Assistance Why Visit India During Diwali? Diwali, or Deepavali, celebrates the victory of light over darkness, and India never feels more alive: diyas line doorways, rangoli brightens entrances and sweet shops work through the night. For many first-time travellers, visiting India for Diwali becomes the reason they return. Cultural celebrations: Lakshmi Puja on the main evening, plus regional traditions such as Kali Puja in Bengal, Bandi Chhor Divas for Sikhs and Naraka Chaturdashi in South India. Family reunions: for NRIs and families of Indian origin, Diwali is the great homecoming of the year. Traditional festivals: five days, from Dhanteras to Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj, so even a short trip covers several rituals. Popular destinations: Jaipur, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Amritsar and Udaipur (see below). Shopping, food and tourism: festive markets, handmade décor and mithai at the start of the cool-weather season: ideal for Diwali travel to India. Understanding Indian Visa Requirements for Diwali Travel India tourist visa requirements depend on your nationality, purpose and connection to India. There is no India visa for NRIs holding Indian passports; everyone else visiting India for Diwali needs a valid Indian visa or an OCI card. Document Best suited for Where to apply Key points e-Tourist Visa Holidays, festivals, family visits Official e-Visa portal 30-day, 1-year or 5-year; non-extendable; designated entry ports only Regular Tourist Visa Nationals not eligible for e-Visa Indian Mission abroad Stay conditions endorsed on the visa Business / e-Business Visa Meetings and trade visits Online or Indian Mission Not for employment in India; stay limits apply Entry Visa (X Visa) Foreign spouses and children of Indian citizens, persons of Indian origin Indian Mission abroad Longer family stays; may require FRRO registration OCI Card Persons of Indian origin and eligible foreign spouses Official OCI portal Lifelong, visa-free, multiple entry Indian Passport NRIs (Indian citizens) Not applicable No visa or e-Arrival Card needed Visa Requirements for Foreign Spouses of Indian Citizens A foreign spouse on a short festive trip can usually use an e-Tourist Visa if their nationality is eligible. For longer or repeated stays, an Entry (X) Visa from an Indian Mission is more suitable. After two years of registered marriage, the spouse may qualify for an OCI card, subject to the applicable conditions. Important Differences Between OCI and Indian Visas OCI is lifelong and needs no FRRO registration; a visa is limited by period and purpose. OCI is not dual citizenship and carries no voting rights. OCI cardholders need special permission for protected areas and for activities such as research, missionary work or journalism. India e-Visa for Diwali – Eligibility and Application Process For most nationalities, an India e-Visa for Diwali is the quickest option, obtained entirely online. If you are visiting India for Diwali as a tourist or to see family, the e-Tourist Visa is usually the right category. Who Can Apply Nationals of countries listed on the official portal, for sightseeing, family visits, short courses, short medical treatment or casual business. Some nationalities and origins must apply through an Indian Mission instead. e-Tourist Visa Categories 30-day: double entry, valid for 30 days from first arrival. 1-year: multiple entries within one year of the ETA being granted. 5-year: multiple entries within five years of the ETA being granted. On 1-year and 5-year visas, each stay is generally capped at 90 days (180 days for US, UK, Canadian and Japanese nationals); check your ETA conditions. Passport, Photograph and Documents Your passport needs six months’ validity from arrival and two blank pages. Upload a recent white-background photograph and a scan of your passport’s photo page, as specified on the portal. Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) and Entry The ETA arrives by email, usually within 72 hours. Enter through a designated airport or seaport; you may leave through any authorised immigration checkpoint. Important Restrictions e-Tourist Visas are non-extendable, non-convertible and invalid for protected or cantonment areas, and they do not permit employment. There is no government “urgent” fee. Step-by-Step e-Visa Checklist Check eligibility on indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa. Prepare your photograph and passport scan to the portal’s specifications. Fill in the form exactly as your passport reads. Pay the government fee and save your application ID. Apply at least four days before arrival (up to 30 days ahead for the

India e-Arrival Card 2026: Complete Guide for Foreigners | Fargo Worldwide Arrival & Immigration · 2026 Guide India e-Arrival Card 2026: Complete Guide for Foreigners – Everything You Must Do During Your First 30 Days in India By Devendra Kumar, Director, Fargo Worldwide · Last Updated: 31 October 2026 · Reviewed by: Devendra Kumar, Director, Fargo Worldwide · 16 min read The India e-Arrival Card is a free online arrival form that every foreign national and OCI cardholder must submit within the 72 hours before landing in India. It replaced the paper landing card. It is not a visa. After you land, a few more duties follow: your host reports your stay on Form III within 24 hours, some visa holders register with the FRRO within 14 days, and anyone staying beyond 180 days must register before day 180. This guide covers each step in order. Key facts at a glance What it is A digital arrival declaration that replaced the paper disembarkation card In force since 1 October 2025; paper cards phased out after March 2026 Who files All foreign nationals, including e-Visa holders and OCI cardholders Who does not Indian passport holders When Within the 72 hours before arrival Cost Free on official channels Where indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival, boi.gov.in or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app After arrival Form III within 24 hours; FRRO registration within 14 days or before day 180, depending on your visa In this guide India arrival checklist What is the India e-Arrival Card? How to fill it in At the airport First 24 hours: Form III Money and mobile FRRO registration Extension, conversion, exit permit Seven common mistakes How Fargo Worldwide helps FAQs 1. Your India Arrival Checklist (Quick Summary) Use this table as your timeline. Each row is explained in the sections below. When What to do Who is responsible Cost Before you travel Hold the right visa, e-Visa or OCI card for your purpose. e-Visa holders need a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages. Traveller Visa fee varies by type and nationality Up to 72 hours before arrival Submit the India e-Arrival Card and save the confirmation. Traveller (one person can file for a small family group) Free Before landing, if needed Declare dutiable or prohibited goods, or currency above the limits, on the Atithi customs app or portal. Traveller Free to file; duty if goods exceed your allowance On arrival Immigration check: passport, visa or OCI card, e-Arrival confirmation, fingerprints and photo where required. Traveller; Bureau of Immigration Free On arrival Customs: Green Channel if you have nothing to declare, Red Channel if you do. Traveller; Indian Customs Duty only on goods above the allowance Within 24 hours of check-in Form III report of your stay to the Registration Officer. Hotel, homestay, PG, landlord or other keeper of accommodation No government fee First few days Buy a SIM with your passport and visa; set up UPI One World, cards and some cash. Traveller Plan and issuer charges Within 14 days of arrival FRRO registration on e-FRRO, if your visa requires it (Employment, Student, Research, Medical and other long-term visas). Traveller, supported by employer or institution As shown on e-FRRO for your service Before day 180 On a visa of 180 days or less and planning to stay longer: register on e-FRRO before day 180. Traveller As shown on e-FRRO Before your visa expires Apply for an extension or a permitted conversion, or leave India. Traveller Fees vary by nationality and visa Within 24 hours of check-out Departure details added to Form III. Keeper of accommodation No government fee If you overstay or lose your passport Apply for an exit permit on e-FRRO and pay any penalty before leaving. Traveller Overstay penalties start at ₹10,000 Figure 1: Your first 30 days in India, from the e-Arrival Card to visa expiry. Click to open full size. 2. What Is the India e-Arrival Card? The India e-Arrival Card is the online version of the disembarkation card that passengers used to fill in on the plane, and it is now one of the core India entry requirements for foreigners. The Bureau of Immigration (BOI) introduced it on 1 October 2025. Paper cards were accepted during a transition period, and since April 2026 the digital card is the standard. Your details reach the immigration officer before you do, which shortens the check at the counter. Who must submit it? As the India arrival card for foreigners, it applies to every foreign national arriving in India, whatever the visa: e-Visa, tourist, business, employment, student, medical, conference or Entry (X) visa. Children travelling on their own foreign passport need an entry too. Only Indian passport holders are exempt. Do OCI cardholders need it? Yes. Some embassy notices published in the first week of October 2025 said OCI cardholders were exempt. The Bureau of Immigration changed that position within days, and the official guidance now names foreigners and OCI (including e-OCI) cardholders. If you hold an OCI card and a foreign passport, file the card before every trip. For more on OCI travel rules, see our OCI card guide. Is it the same as an Indian visa? No. The e-Arrival Card is an arrival declaration. It gives no permission to enter India. You still need a valid visa, e-Visa or OCI card, and immigration checks those separately. If you still need a visa, see our e-Visa guides. What happens if you do not complete it? Expect delay. Immigration officers may ask you to complete it before clearing you, which now usually means filling it in on your phone in the arrivals hall after you have already queued. File it before boarding and the problem never arises. 3. How to Fill in the India e-Arrival Card Step by Step Filling in the India e-Arrival Card takes about ten minutes if your documents are ready. Official application channels indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival (Indian Visa Online) boi.gov.in (Bureau of Immigration) The Indian Visa Su-Swagatam app on Google Play and the Apple App Store. Check that the publisher

<!doctype html> Getting Married in India on an e-Tourist Visa: The 30 + 30 Day Timeline to Convert to X-1 Visa Without Leaving India (2026) By Devendra Kumar Arya, Director, Fargo Worldwide · Last verified: 31 October 2026 · 16 min read Yes, you can get married in India on e-Visa and then convert to an X-1 (Entry) visa without flying home, but only if the marriage is legally registered while your e-Visa is still valid. The catch is time. A court marriage between an Indian and a foreigner usually takes at least 30 days of residence plus a 30-day notice period, and many e-Tourist visas simply do not last that long. Most guides start after the marriage certificate is in your hand. This one starts earlier: which e-Tourist Visa to apply for, how to plan the 30 + 30 days around your stay limit, which marriage certificates the FRRO accepts, and how to file the X-1 conversion on e-FRRO before your visa runs out. Quick Answer: Can You Get Married in India on e-Visa? Yes. The e-Visa rules allow an e-Visa to be converted to an Entry (X) visa if the foreigner marries an Indian national during the validity of the e-Visa, on submission of a registered marriage certificate and a police report on the marriage. To get married in India on e-Visa safely, choose a 1-year or 5-year e-Tourist Visa (not the 30-day one), plan for 30 days of residence plus a 30-day notice under the Special Marriage Act, and file the X-1 conversion on e-FRRO before your permitted stay ends. At a glance Question Short answer Can an e-Tourist Visa be converted after marriage? Yes, to an Entry visa, if you marry an Indian national during the validity of the e-Visa. Which visa do you get? An Entry visa for spouses, now listed as X-1 in the Visa Manual (older documents call it X-2). Which e-Tourist Visa works? The 1-year or 5-year e-Tourist Visa. The 30-day e-Tourist Visa is too short for a court marriage. How long does the marriage take? Under the Special Marriage Act, usually about 60 days: 30 days’ residence, then a 30-day notice period. Which certificate does the FRRO accept? A marriage certificate issued by a state-authorised marriage registrar. Certificates from temples, mosques, churches and other organisations are not accepted. Where do you apply? On the e-FRRO portal, before your permitted stay ends. Can you work on an X-1 visa? No. Employment and business are not permitted. What comes next? Extensions in India, then OCI once your registered marriage has lasted two years. From e-Tourist Visa to X-1 Entry visa: marry, register, then convert on e-FRRO before your stay ends. What the Rules Actually Say About e-Visa to X-1 Conversion Many forum answers still say an e-Visa “can never be converted”. That is only half true. The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible, with a few named exceptions, and marriage is one of them. The e-Visa rule According to the e-Visa conditions published by the Embassy of India in Mexico, an e-Visa may be converted to an Entry (X) visa if a foreigner who came to India on an e-Visa marries an Indian national during the validity of the e-Visa. The conversion depends on two things: a copy of the registered marriage certificate, and a report on the couple’s marital status, covering the foreigner’s antecedents, confirmation that the couple lives together, and security clearance. The same conditions also allow conversion to an Entry visa for a Person of Indian Origin who is otherwise entitled to one. We cover that route further below. The Visa Manual rule (clause 1.34) The Visa Manual, as reproduced by the Karnataka High Court in Raktima Khanum v. Union of India (5 January 2024), lets the FRRO convert any category of visa into an X-1 visa for a foreign national married to an Indian citizen, a Person of Indian Origin or an OCI cardholder, subject to three conditions: A registered marriage certificate. If the marriage took place abroad, the certificate must be certified or apostilled through the Indian Mission or Post concerned. Proof that your spouse is an Indian citizen, PIO or OCI cardholder, such as an Indian passport or OCI card. A report on your marital status, including antecedents, confirmation that you live together, and security clearance. The Manual adds a note that conversion will not be granted on certificates issued by temples, mosques, churches and other organisations. It also asks FRROs to run special checks for some nationalities to prevent marriages of convenience, so those files can take longer. Plan for the stricter rule. Clause 1.34 says the FRRO may convert “at any point of time”, but the e-Visa conditions say the marriage must happen during the validity of the e-Visa. Marry, register and apply while your e-Visa and permitted stay are still valid. Which e-Tourist Visa Lets You Get Married in India on e-Visa? This is where most plans fail before the couple even books a flight. India issues three kinds of e-Tourist Visa, and only two of them leave enough time for a court marriage. Only the 1-year and 5-year e-Tourist Visas leave room for the 30 + 30 days. e-Tourist Visa Stay allowed Enough for a court marriage? 30-day 30 days from first arrival, double entry, non-extendable No. A Special Marriage Act wedding usually needs about 60 days. 1-year Up to 90 days per visit; 180 days for nationals of the USA, UK, Canada and Japan Yes, with careful planning (90 days) or comfortably (180 days). 5-year Same per-visit limits as the 1-year visa Yes, on the same basis. The per-visit limits come from the Embassy of India, Muscat e-Visa page. Total stay on Tourist and e-Tourist visas also cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year, as the Consulate General of India, San Francisco explains. If you have already spent time in India this year, count those days too. Tip: state your purpose honestly on the e-Visa form (visiting your partner and family)