How to Get X Visa Extension in India?

Among the tourists, India is popular for its natural and cultural diversity, making it one of the best travel destinations in the world. There are also many Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Indians living in several parts of the world. Many of them and their families, or foreign citizens, visit the country annually. Like the other visas, the Indian government does provide an X visa to PIOs and foreigners who visit India for several reasons. Also, as per their visiting purpose, they can apply for an X visa extension in India by registering with the Foreign Registration Office (FRO) or the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Are you also on an X visa and want to extend it, but do not know how to apply for it? Then you are on the right destination. This blog consists of all the information about the X visa extension in India, from the process to the guidelines and validity. So, let's begin reading. 

Overview of India X Visa

An X visa is also known as an entry visa. It is granted by the Indian government for specific categories of people who fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the government. In simple words, it is a kind of multiple-entry visa permitted to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and certain foreigners. The India X visa is perfect for people who visiting the country for business, professional purposes, and employment. 

This is what an India X visa means. As we stated above that this visa is granted to only specific persons who fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the Indian government. So, let's know the eligibility criteria for an X entry visa in India. 

India X Visa Eligibility 

To obtain an India X visa, a person needs to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO): People who are from Indian origin or have Indian ancestry but acquire foreign citizenship are eligible to apply for an X entry visa. This visa category is perfect for those who want to travel to India to meet family or friends, for business meetings, tourism, or other purposes. 
• Spouses and Children of Foreigners of Indian Origin: This eligibility criterion is for those individuals who are married to or children of a foreign citizen who belongs to Indian origin.
• Dependents of Foreigners: Dependents of foreigners who are traveling to India on several visa types, such as student, employment, business, or research visas, are also eligible to apply for an X entry visa. It allows the dependents to accompany the visa holder during their stay in the country.

These are some of the key eligibility criteria that a person needs to follow before applying for an X entry visa in India. It is also vital to know that the X visa holders are not allowed to engage in any employment or job while staying in the country. Additionally, with this visa, the holders can only travel within the country. 

Do you know that, like other Indian visa types, X entry visas offer different types of visas to people according to their visiting purpose in the country? Want to know what they are? Read the next section and get your answers. 

Types of India X Visa

Here is the list of different types of X entry visas according to your traveling purpose in the country:

• X-1 Visa: This visa is permitted to Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who do not hold an OCI card. It allows them to stay in India for up to 5 years with multiple entries in the country without any fixed stay duration.
• X-2 Visa: Children and spouses of Indian citizens or OCI/ PIO cardholders can apply for an X-2 visa. Like the X-1 visa, this visa is also valid for five years and grants multiple entries in India without any limitation on stay.
• X-3 Visa: The X-3 visa is granted to foreign citizens joining specific Indian organizations. It includes:
  • Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry: This visa is valid for one year with multiple entries in the country.
  • Auroville Foundation: The validity of this visa is five years with three entries for long long-duration visa, three months with a single entry for a short-term visa for volunteers, or one year with short short-duration visa. 
  • Missionaries of Charity, Kolkata: This visa offers multiple entries to the visa holders for a fixed duration. 
  • Temples of Spiritual Training: This visa permits multiple entry with an appropriate duration.
  • Buddhist Monasteries and Organizations: This visa comes with a validity of one year and grants multiple entries to the visa holders.
• X-4 Visa: This visa is for foreign nationals who own property in India. With validity of one year, the visa allows multiple entries for the visa holders. 
• X-5 Visa: Officials and diplomats on a personal visit to India can apply for this visa. In this, the visa duration depends on the visiting purpose of the person.
• X-5D Visa: Dependents of officials and diplomats are eligible to apply for this visa, including those who are from the UN and non-UN organizations. The visa validity is granted according to the individual's circumstances.
• X-SP Visa: International sports event participants and their accompanying officials are eligible to apply for this visa. It does not include the commercial Indian sports events with remuneration. Additionally, the visa duration depends on the event and the visiting purpose.
• X-Misc Visa: If the visiting purpose does not fall under the above-mentioned visa categories, foreign citizens can apply for this visa. An X-Misc visa is a single-entry visa permitted for a specific time. 

These are the different types of X entry visas. You can choose any of them according to your visiting purpose. Now, moving further, let's see how to apply for an X visa extension.

What Is the Process to Apply for an X Visa Extension?

Follow the steps below when applying for an Indian X visa extension through the FRRO (Foreign Regional Registration Office) or FRO (Foreign Registration Office):

• Know Your Stay Duration: The first step towards the X visa extension is determining your stay duration in India. If you visit the country for 180 days, then there is no requirement for registration. For stays exceeding 180 days, apply for registration.
• Visit FRO or FRRO: The second step after determining the stay duration is before completion of your 180 days in the country, visit your nearby Foreign Regional Registration Offices or Foreign Registration Offices in India. 
• Fill Out the Form: Fill out the X visa extension form with accurate information provided by the FRO or FRRO to you.
• Submit the Requested Documents: With the X entry visa extension application form, submit the requested documents such as original and copies of your passport, visa, registration certificate, residency proof, recent passport-size photographs, and any additional papers.
• Pay the Fees: Pay the applicable fee for the X visa extension. The amount can vary depending on your application country. For accurate fee information, it is advisable to check the official site of the Indian consulate or embassy.
• Application Verification and Processing: The FRO or FRRO will check your submitted application and documents and process your X visa extension in India application, including doing your background check, if necessary.
• Registration Certificate: If your X visa extension application gets approved, you will receive a registration certificate, i.e., Part III of Form A, as your extended visa proof. 

By following the above-mentioned steps, you can simply apply for your X visa extension in India and stay in the country for an indefinite time. However, when applying for the visa extension, along with the eligibility criteria, you do need to follow some X visa extension guidelines. Want to know about them? Read the next section and get your answers. 

Guidelines to Follow for an X Visa Extension in India

Before applying for an X visa extension in India, foreign nationals need to follow the below-mentioned guidelines stated by the Indian government:

• Foreign citizens who are visiting Indian on an X visa should apply for an X visa extension in the country by registering themselves at FRO or FRRO offices. Registration is only needed when the stay duration is more than 180 days in the country. In addition, the registration should be done before the expiry of 180 days.
• The X visa extension registration in India can only be done at the FRO or FRROs, i.e., District Superintendents of Police.
• It is necessary for the applicant to physically present at the FRRO or FRO office for registration.
• During registration, the applicant should provide all the correct information to the officer at the registrar's office. If the officer feels satisfied with the provided information, he/she will provide you registration certificate in Part III of Form A. 
• Foreign citizens visiting India should follow the Special Endorsement made by the Indian mission on the visa.

These are some of the guidelines you need to follow while applying for an X visa extension in India. It further assists in simply processing your X visa extension application. Moving further, let's know the X visa extension validity and fee in India.

Validity and X Visa Extension Fee in India

The X visa extension in India generally remains valid yearly, with up to a 5-year maximum extension period. In case the applicant wants to extend his/her visa beyond the five years, he/she should request from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The MHA will review their visa application request, and if approved, he/she will get their X visa extension in India. Here, it is vital to know that the visa extension approval is subject to the MHA's discretion.

Moreover, it is known to everyone that for an X visa extension in India, you need to pay certain fees according to the stated norms set by the immigration authorities of India. The visa extension fee may vary depending on your stay duration in India and the country you are applying to. To have an accurate idea of the fees for an X visa extension in India, it is advisable to check it on the official site of the Indian consulate or embassy in your country. The consulate or embassy will provide you with the right fee structure applicable for your X visa extension in your country.

This is all about the validity and fee of the X visa extension in India. Now, moving further, let's know about the documents required for the application process. 

Documents Required for an X Visa Extension in India

Here is the list of documents required during the X visa extension process in India:

• Visa Application Form: An X visa extension form filled with accurate information and the signature of the applicant. 
• Original Passport: The original passport of the applicant, consisting of the current X entry visa and relevant immigration stamps on it.
• Copy of Visa/Passport/Registration Certificate: Photocopies of the passport pages containing personal details, registration certificate, and the current visa. 
• Residence Proof: Documents showing the current address of the applicant in India. It can include an electricity or utility bill, a notarized copy of the rent or lease agreement, or a photocopy of the C-Form from the hotel if staying there.
• Passport-Size Photographs: Two recent, passport-size, colored photographs of the applicant for the visa extension application. 
• Copy of Indemnity Bond and Marriage Certificate: If requested, a photocopy of the marriage certificate and an Indemnity bond will be needed to know the relationship status of the visa applicant.
• Copy of Birth Certificate: In case of minor children, a copy of the birth certificate and Indian passport of either parent will be required for the application. 

These are the documents that you need to submit during your X visa extension in India. It is vital to know that, based on specific circumstances, the immigration authorities may ask for additional documents. It is advisable before applying for the visa extension check the Indian embassy or consulate website. Additionally, you can also convert your tourist visa to X visa in India, the immigration authorities also provide this facility. 

Simply Apply for Your Entry Visa Extension with Visament

We hope the above blog about the X visa extension in India provides you with all the information that you were looking for. The application process needs detailed attention to the visa guidelines and documentation. In case you face any issue with your X visa extension, contact Visament. We have a team of experts who have years of experience in the visa and immigration field. Additionally, we offer reliable X1 visa extension services to our clients at competitive prices. So, why deal with the daunting visa extension process when you have the best option by your side? Connect with us and simply apply for your X entry visa extension in India and enjoy your journey.