Goa attracts thousands of tourists every year who come here to for beautiful beaches, happening nightlife, beach parties and good sea food. Many foreigners visit Goa on business also as the place offers good opportunities for tourism related business.
The foreigners who require registration, extension or miscellaneous services as per their visa types and stipulations should approach Foreigners Registration office (FRO) Goa located at Panaji (also called Panjim). The FRO Goa exercises jurisdiction over the entire state of Goa. The FRO Goa is situated on the ground floor of the Goa Police Head Quarters Building, Opp. Azad Maidan at Panaji Goa. The FRO at Goa is not a full FRRO so it reports to the State Home Department located at Porvorim, Goa.
(For more information about difference between FRRO and FRO, please visit: http://indianimmigration-law.blogspot.com/2010/01/foreigner-registration-office-fro.html)
Extension of Business and Employment Visas at FRO Goa:
If you wish to apply for an extension of business or employment visa at FRO Goa, please submit your application at least 90 days before the expiry of your visa. The FRO Goa will not accept your extension application if you apply late and you will be required to apply at the Goa State Home Department at Porvorim, Goa.
Otherwise, for extension of Business or Employment visas, you may apply directly at the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at New Delhi. If your extension application is accepted at MHA, they will give you a three months temporary extension and ask for local report from FRO Goa. On receipt of satisfactory report from FRO Goa, the MHA can provide the balance nine months (or less if requested). After approval of extension, your residential permit will be stamped by the FRO Goa while the visa stamp in the passport will be stamped by the Goa State Home Department at Porvorim.
For extensions, the fee (exact amount dependent on type and duration of extension) in cash has to be deposited at the State Home Department at Porvorim. The Goa State home department is located at the new Secretariat building at Porvorim. You can find it on right side, soon after crossing the river bridge over the river Mandovi, on the highway from Panjim to Mapusa.
Tourist visas to India can not be extended beyond 180 days except in emergent situations.
For registrations at Goa FRO, a fee of Rs. 100 per applicant is charged which you can pay in cash at FRO.
Address and timings of Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) at Goa:
Goa Police Head Quarters Building, Ground floor
Opp. Azad Maidan
Panaji Goa
Timings: 9:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:30, Monday to Friday.
After submission of all documents and payment of fees for registration at the Goa FRO, it takes about one week for the issuance of Registration certificate and Residential Permit to the foreign national applicant.
You may take an appointment with Ms. Rina Tarcato, Deputy SP, FRO if you have any questions or concerns about your visa.
Address and timings at Goa State Home Department:
Under Secretary (Home)
Goa State Home Department,
Foreigners Division
Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa
Timings: 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday.
How come you dont have the phone number for the office?!
ReplyDeleteGoa FRO Phone numbers: 0832-2426545, 0832-2428623.
ReplyDeleteCan i e-mail them???
ReplyDeletestevebenaulim@hotmail.co.uk
There is no specific e-mail address for Goa FRO. Goa Police published e-mails are: goapol@sancharnet.in, goapol@bsnl.in.
ReplyDeleteHi rajnish im a portugese national staying in uk at the moment, i ws born in goa and stayed der uptil 2010 wen i got my portuguese nationality. I need a police clearence certificate from goa but its not possible for me to be der how do i get it pls help me thank u
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous.You may send your authorized representative to the local police station in Goa having jurisdiction over your last place of residence in Goa. regards. Rajnish.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a tourist re-entry, e./ you have been to Sri Lanka or something, do you need to register here?
ReplyDeleteIf you are a tourist and on a re-entry, when you go the FRO do they stamp your passport.
ReplyDeleteOr is it just more meaningless form filling with a 100 Rupee charge?
the fro office in panjim is awfull.they are very rude,even been known to shout at you.watch out for the short lady at the back office,,never hav i been spoken to like that since i was a child.they dont want forigners in goa..ive lived here for 8years,many frenzs hav now sold up n left,n iam thinking to do the same,,gud look to anyone going to the fro office in panjim..youll need it,,christina
ReplyDeletewhen in india do like the indians !!! maybe will help many foreigners in india !!! I found the FRO to be very helpful and kind in all ways. I have registred there for 6 years now with a business visa and met only smiles , help and kindness. - so much depends on your own attitude and how you approach them . They are also people and human like you ! Annie
ReplyDeleteHi rajnish
ReplyDeleteI am a indian born, portuguese national staying in UK. I got my nationality when I was in Goa India. Before coming to UK i applied for a pcc in the home department Goa for my employment purpose here. Its more then a month since i left india from mumbai airport now n I didnt get my pcc inspite of my folks doing a follow up at the FRO office in Goa. They r saying my exit report is not yet come from mumbai airport and without it they cant issue one. Also the FRO had done all the CID and Police clearance at the time of registration with them, only then i was granted the residential permit and exited the country in 4 days time. Why it takes so long. Where do i contact in order to set an inquiry about this as i need the pcc urgently for my employment. Pls help.
If Goa is waiting for an exit report from Mumbai, I think that you should contact FRRO Mumbai to send your report at the earliest.
ReplyDeleteHi Rajnish,
ReplyDeleteI am a Goan residing in Dubai, I intend to get my kids (2 sons aged 11 & 5) here in Dubai on residence visa, I want them to travel with my Cousin's wife who will accomany them and come on a visit visa. Please advise if I need to give any authority letter to her to accompany my kids. - Roger
Hello rajinish..
ReplyDeleteIam a Portuguese national , no Goan or Indian link what so ever... Now if I seek marriage with a Indian female, how is the proceeding for residence in Goa??because I am aware of all UK marriage visas but not the other way around.. Please can you give some advice???warm regards
If you marry an Indian national, you can apply for an X visa to stay in India. You are also eligible to apply for a PIO card based on your marriage to Indian national.
ReplyDeleteRoger, It's always a good idea to provide a notarized authority letter signed by both parents.
ReplyDeleteis it true,that when You are renting a villa for vacation in Goa, You need to give the details about You, like visa,passport and address of every traveler ?
ReplyDeleteOwner of the villa will need these documents from foreign nationals, as he is required to provide the same to the local police station.
ReplyDelete