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India is a dream come true to visit. Whether it is the mighty Himalayas or the colorful festivals and spiritual retreats, there is just so much to take in. However, in all the hype, at times, travelers overstay their visa unintentionally. Regardless of the reason, whether you missed the expiry date or you have an emergency, overstaying your visa in India may put you in trouble. In case it happens to you, do not panic. BudgetAirfares is there to assist in such complicated moments. You can book cheap airline flights on our platform. Here is all you need to know and to do.
What does it mean to overstay a Visa in India?
Overstaying a visa simply means that you have remained in India longer than you were supposed to be on your visa without legally extending it. This is a breach of the visa conditions as far as the Indian immigration law is concerned.
Most travelers are misguided to think that they have a grace period once the visa has expired. However, India does not give any grace period. You are automatically regarded as an illegal immigrant as soon as your visa is overstayed.
Consequences of Overstaying a Visa
The overstay of a visa in India may lead to a chain of legal, financial, and logistical implications, depending on the duration of the overstay:
1. Fines and Penalties
Indian government imposes a fine on the Indian government per day of overstay. The fines increase with the period of overstay.
According to the official regulations:
- 1 to 15 days Overstay: Fine of up to $300
- Within 30 days, Overstay: Fine of $400
- 30 days or more Overstay: Fine 500 dollars or not less, as well as legal prosecution.
2. Arrest and Blacklists
- You can be detained or deported in cases that are serious or repeated.
- You can be blacklisted and may not be allowed to enter India again within some time or forever.
3. Postponements in the Travel of the Future
It can lead to troubles in getting visas to India and other countries in the future because they will be able to trace your travel history.
What to do if you overstay your visa in India?
In case you notice that you have overstayed your visa, act promptly. The following is a step-by-step procedure that should help you sort things out:
- Don’t Panic: The first is to stay calm. Moreover, many people overstay their visa unintentionally, and there are formal procedures to rectify this.
- Go to the Closest FRRO: Visit the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or FRO (Foreigners Registration Office), whichever is nearest to you. You will have to:
- Describe your circumstances
- Hand in your passport and visa
- Submit any eligible causes of the overstay (medical, flight cancellation, and so on)
- Pay the Fine Imposed: The FRRO will determine the amount of fine depending on the period of overstay and convey the punishment to you. You have to pay this before leaving the country.
- Exit Permit: You will have to apply for an Exit Permit that will enable you to lawfully get out of India. Otherwise, you can not board your flight or get through immigration.
- Retain everything: You should ensure that you keep all your receipts, acknowledgment letters, and communication, just in case you are questioned about it later by the immigration officers.
How BudgetAirfares Can Assist?
We appreciate that visa matters may be hectic, and when you are away from home, it could be worse. However, you can trust us to have you home safely and within the shortest time possible. That is why we provide:
- Cheap last-minute flight reservations so that you are able to depart once you are issued with an exit permit.
- Low prices on return tickets to the USA, UK, Canada, and Europe.
- Round-the-clock customer service to assist you with re-booking your travel and last-minute departures.
- WhatsApp and email notifications about the most current travel policies and visa regulations.
How to prevent overstaying your visa in India?
So that you do not have to face this situation again, the following are some easy prevention tips:
- Set Calendar Reminders: It is advisable to always set alerts on your phone at least a week before your visa expires.
- Watch Your Entry Stamp: The Indian immigration officers put the last allowed stay in your passport. You should check this on arrival.
- Familiarize Yourself With Your Visa Type: Certain visas (such as e-tourist or e-business) cannot be extended, whereas others might allow extensions. Be visa-wise.
- Contact FRRO in Advance: In case you are sure that you will require some extra time in India, then you should apply to extend your visa before your current visa expires. However, the e-FRRO portal digitizes many services.
Conclusion
Overstaying a visa in India is inconvenient. It can be a minor inevitability of situation, but whatever the case, you can fix it by dealing with the immigration authorities and paying the applicable fines. What you need to do is to act fast, remain honest, and do things according to the right procedure. Rely on BudgetAirfares to find cheap last-minute flight deals and to get the best travel help.