Foreigners Regional Registration Office

I visited there to enquire about my visa extension / conversion. The help desk (Ms. Kantha) was extremely kind and welcoming, even served me chai and gave me all the information needed. A unique experience with Indian government office that went smoother than expected. Note: you have to do everything online - registration, request for conversion and uploading documents and photos must be done on the e-frro portal.

I am updating my review after my experience with FRRO for my wife's OCI. The team was very professional and guided us through all the documentation. Answering phones have also improved quite a bit and my queries were answered well over the phone.

Below are the timelines of my wife's OCI application:
First visit to FRRO Bangalore to understand the documentation:
20-OCT-2023
Verification of the documents and issue of the Appointment: 23-OCT-2023
Application Submitted at FRRO BANGALORE 31-OCT-2023
Meeting with a Field Officer at FRRO BANGALORE 06-NOV-2023
Field Officer visit to our residence 15-NOV-2023
Police Verification completed on 18-NOV-2023
Documents Printing Status PROCESSED On 29-DEC-2023
Dispatched From MEA (OCI) NEW DELHI On 05-JAN-2024
Document received At FRRO BANGALORE On 11-JAN-2024
OCI collected at FRRO BANGALORE On 12-JAN-2024

-initial review with one star- (in January 2023)
I have been trying to reach them via their phone number for last two days. Phone rings but no response. I am really shocked by their lack of response.

OCI application experience was very good. The agent in charge was extremely helpful and patient. We had missed out a few documents, so it took us some time to get them. Otherwise it would have been completed very quickly. But the officials cooperated very well and were very helpful with the entire procedure.

Before going there, I had called them a couple of times to understand the documentation required. They were very helpful with checking my file and mailing over the required checklist. Phone waiting times are very short in the second half. In the mornings, they are busier and take longer to answer phones.

The staff was very helpful. Process was very quick and we are thankful to the officers who helped us with our kids visa conversion.

Located at a busy junction in the city for the convenience of visitors. Nice and Friendly staff.

I wish I have a job like this. FRRO attitude is like "who cares". When I'm dialling for OCI and select 2 means I want to talk to OCI. They will say "let me connect you to concern department" and that's it. Poor service. Another example of government institutions.

Process for OCI registration was smooth. The staff is very polite and had guided the entire process over email with a quick turnaround time.

I have applied for exit permit few days back and I call on concern dept and they solve my problem in a day.very good service

Much thanks FRRO for being very prompt in responding to my query over email.
Keep up the good job.

Never in my life experience such a worst customer service. Just went to enquire regarding payment issue n the lady just responded so worse n refuse to help us. Just because we look different, it doesn’t mean we are bad.we came from far place to seek some help and clarification only. Even if they can’t help but at least can explain nicely. Also security guard discriminates us based on our looks.

OCI application process was very smooth and people are very patient and nice to interact with. Unlike other Govt offices, I see people here proactively talk to you and find out if you are waiting for something.
I used to mail them with my queries and I always got clear response, they also share a check-list. Just arrange for everything in that checklist and then you are good to go. Of course there are some documents (eg. Birth registered at the foreign and commonwealth office/ ‘Child Born Abroad Report) ’ which we don't know why they need them but just follow the process.

Most of the official need to be more empathetic as people who go there go for help. Some or many officials try to be very authoritative and have a demanding tone which gives a very wrong representation of Indians.

They are committing a real crime, extortion, to filch money from assumed wealthy tourists and visitors like me by demanding a scam penalty for overstay of 50,000 INR. Shameful!
They should be in jail.

Well managed premises and smooth experience while making OCI. All officers were professional and gave clear instruction for our doubts. Thank you for all the support and help.

Whatever documents you bring, it will be too less for them. Norm is to ask at least 1 random missing redundant/obsolete document. Work is done as if some favor is being granted. Sanitation is pathetic. Lift is filled with pan spits. I hope I never have to visit this place again.

We got excellent support and service both over phone and in-person when we had to get a card updated for our daughter. The lady over the phone and the gentleman at the OCI processing desk were extremely helpful, including waiting for us to get some additional documents so we could complete
the task the same day. It took us about 45 minutes to get the application process completed. Thanks for the support and pleasant experience.

I am a foreigner in Bangalore who has had a repeated horrible experience with this FRRO here. Have been hung up on 4 times today. No one is willing to help and it is a stain on your country how you treat them like this. I will now have to travel 2 hours to go directly to the office because none can hang up on me face to face. I don't know why i bother to wrote the review because no one cares no one will read and there is no accountability for these incompetent workers.

This place is sucks. They are rude and disrespectful staff specially a lady who works there. My husband called them to discuss with them his concerns, the lady hung up the phone on him direspectfully. They should hire a professional staff with good manners.

Bangalore FRRO has Great staff and very courteous.they listen to you and help in everyway possible. Thank you!

Rs. 50,000 for OVERSTAY fine from 90 days. This amount was recently changed (during the pandemic). I am writing this because some students overstayed simply because there was no flights.
How can you overcharge people just to take advantage of a PANDEMIC? Some students families lost their jobs and the price of flights is completely expensive.
I personally overstayed during the lockdown and I begged them to reconsider the price and some of the staff laughed and threatened that I would be arrested if I did not pay the amount. I pleaded with them, begged, cried and even gave my honest reason for overstay. DUE TO NO FLIGHTS and some staff said that the GOVERNMENT does not recognize COVID.

The staff there are so courteous and helpful. When I first called in, they patiently answered my questions and gave me all the details. After a week I went to yhe office. I was done within 30 mins. FRRO has always been very efficient and helpful. This is my second time at their office and both the experiences were very pleasant and courteous

I have been visiting the FRRO since multiple years and must say their service has improved every time to an extend that my last experience made me give them this 5 star rating. I had applied for a visa for my newborn son and called multiple times to follow up. Every time the person at the other end was very helpful, remembered the case and reacted promptly so that we got the visa within less than 2 days. Besides this I observed the staff to be friendly and helpful to others and me the last times I visited the office in person which was a stark contrast to my initial visits to the FRRO. I hope the staff will continue to work so efficiently and friendly.

One of the few government offices in India where the employees are a lot lot more courteous than the self important ignoramuses who wouldn't dare to act like they do here in their countries.

I had very bad experience, being a foreigner they will treat you very rude and very bad, if you say anything they will say just go back to your country. Very stupid people and ignorant.

I visited the office for 1-2 questions that I had concerning my visa in these complicated times of coronavirus. I was nicely welcome and helped by the employee at the front help desk. But when I reached the FRRO agent sitting at the end of the office, I was shocked by the way I was talked to. This man was SO rude and disrespectful, I was speechless. I was told by this agent "So many questions you have", "I won't answer your questions if you don't show me all your documents - passport, visa, marriage certificate" and finally, "I won't talk to you if your husband is not there"
What kind of service is that?

Hello, please i would like to ask.is distance learning education bonafied certificate eligible for student visa extension? I want to apply for a master degree program but i need to know if distance learning is eligible for visa extension.

Had to apply for OCI for my family. The staff were very helpful and understanding. Did not have to wait for too long. Overall, very good experience!

Very unprofessional. Don't pick calls and make you run around by giving excuse all the time and absolutely unapologetic

The process of OCI is very bad and not clear.why need police address verification for everytime, we just update the Passport, even for minor.what nonsense process.

من اسوء الاماكن اللي ممكن تزورها بحياتك
The worst place you can visit in entire life I don't want remember my experience they just try to make problem and find issue for no reason

The officers in the oci section are very polite and patient but to avoid a run arround, please go with two copies of the application form, two copies of front and back pages of old OCI card, two copies of address proof, two photographs, etc. In addition, to obtain a draft, you will need another photo copy of your ID proof at the nearby bank. These instructions are not clearly enumerated on the website.

Employees are courteous. However expect to get harassed anyways just like other government agencies. The mha website clearly states you do not need to carry photocopies of the documents which you uploaded on the website. However they will ask you for photocopies of everything in 2 sets. Please carry 2 copies of old passport, new passport, current OCI (if renewing), address proof, passports of both parents, 2 photographs. They even asked me to upload current OCI pdf which I had not uploaded as there was no option for the same while uploading all the docs. So I had to generate pdf on phone and upload. This caused me to lose another 30 mins. We need to wait at least 15 minutes after uploading for them to see it.

Most important: as of 5th March 2020, they won't let you enter the office without wearing face mask. All members including child need to wear a mask. It took me over 30 mins to hunt down a medical store that sold face masks.

Used to dread our visits until 3 years but now. What a change it has been for the better! Lots get done online and people are super professional may be the best amongst Indian bureaucracy. The physical visits too are extremely organized and logical! Go with an easy mind!

Nobody answers the phone! And it gets disconnected automatically after we choose 2 for PIO/OCI queries

Pathetic customer service.cant believe in India we employ people like this in an immigration department. Especially the OCI office in bangalore the staff is quite rude. Quite a frustrating experience

My experience with the OCI section has been extremely positive. All officials help readily, providing accurate documentation list required.

Kindly follow the documentation checklist and call the office beforehand for questions.

Edited to add: plan to get there early when the office opens.

It worked perfectly for me as per the guidance provided by FRRO help desk. One may need to have 2 copies of all documents and also candidate should be available as well (for minor also). I received the OCI card in 4 weeks after police verification.

Even 1 star feels like I'm overrating this place. Not only the absolute ineptitude of the staff but also their rudeness made my experience horrifying (quite convenient since Halloween vibes are still around). Don't show up at lunch time unless you have spare time and absolutely nothing to do (lunch time runs may easily run for 2 hours).

Had come here for the PIO to OCI conversion. Was pleasantly surprised by the efficient service i was given. We came early thinking that there'd be a big crowd. But there was hardly anyone. The officer attending to us was very courteous. The most time i took was in getting my DD in a private bank than in this office. Please get to copies of the application and necessary documents as one set is sent to police station for address verification. For PIO to OCI conversion you require: Copy of 1) Passport 2) PIO card 3) Mother and father's passports. That's all.

Today I visited and it was nice experience. The officer the counter was very polite and clearly explained what additional documents required and the procedure. Thanks you Sir, keep up the good work!

My recent experience with the FRRO Bangalore was positive. I am a foreigner and I had lost my passport while I was on holiday in India. From my first phone call to Ms. Neela of the help desk to my receiving my exit permit Ms. Neela was helpful and courteous. The officer I spoke to regarding my case was similarly helpful. I would like to thank Ms. Neela again and the FRRO for their help and efficient service.

We are having BIG ISSUES with this websites. We have spent entire day to complete the same information again and again. The website crashes in the middle of the application and everything is lost. It has happened with every student here, and more than 2,3 or 4 times.

Recently I have received an email saying that I have to upload a foto which I already did the first time I summited. I spent 45 minutes to log ing because site was giving errors. I tried to change my password around 15 times, because it didn't recognize some symbols. It is so frustrating to come to a new country and facing all these difficulties once and again.

I just tried to submit a feedback and surprise! ERROR

Please, review the website and make it more user friendly.

Thank you

Never pick up call and never answer emails! I have been contacting them for 2 weeks. Terrible service!

Places of torture.
They have their own rules and documentary requirements, not what is mentioned on the oci website.
Indian govt pushes digital and this office accepts only DD.
Online application is only to take the print and they will not access it.
There is NO xerox nor Printer at the location and have to run around the area.

They had oci procedures/needs different from what is said on the oci website. Beware. But they did help me out thru the steps

VERY BAD SPACE INDIA PROVIDE FOR FOREIGN PEOPLE. HERE ALMOST PEOPLE VISITING INDIA HAVE TO VSIIT FOR THIER VISA DOCUMENTATION AND EXIT. LOOK AT THE PHOTOS AND YOU YOURSELF JUDGE THE AMBIANCE OF THE OFFICE. THIS ITSELF SHOWS THE HOSPITALITY OF OUR COUNTRY.

Unclear details of documents for submission, miscommunication between the staff makes for a unpleasant experience, high time for some positive changes

This is Bengalore FRRO office, located in Shantinagar area. FRRO elaboration is FOREIGNERS REGIONAL REGISTRATION OFFICE. Currently in all Indian Visa, it is written like, Registration is required within 14 days of arrival if VISA is for more than 180 days. FRRO office is for thay registrayion. Probably every state has this office. But I found, everybody is leaving India without this registration. And finally when I went this office to do my registration, I found they are also not alligned with that line written in VISA. However, although I had done everything required and submitted online application before going there, I had ask for more info and papers which seem to me unnecessary. I had to try to collect those online from other place which was taking time. However, after two hours waiting when still I couldn't collect those, they cancelled my application and did new one and gave me within half an hour. I was so disappointed. I felt liike, UNNECESSARILY AND WILLINGLY FALL IN TROUBLE, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN WITHOUT THIS.
Note: So many people visited India at the same time, or before, I asked them, found no body did this. HOW FUNNY!

What does the change mean? If a foreign national holds a visa with an endorsement that “registration is required within 14 days of arrival in India” and fails to register within the 14 days, a penalty of US$300 will be levied from 7th January 2019.

My experience while applying for an OCI for my daughter has been really great. The folks sitting there were very accommodative and patient. Though the experience would have been better if the OCI website is updated with latest details. It’s not job of folks sitting in FRRO banagalore but of folks managing the OCI website. We reached there at 3pm to avoid morning traffic.but on reaching there realized that OCI applications are accepted only from 9am to 1pm. But folks at the OCI counter let us submit documents seeing an infant with us. That was a very kind gesture. They gave us time to upload and send any missing documents to an email id. Overall I am very happy with their service and speed.

Few things to note before you go.
1. If birth certificate or any other document is issued by foreign country it needs to be Appostilled.
2. Carry 2 copies of your application and documents
3. Carry two photographs of the applicant.
4. If applying for child marriage certificate of parents is mandatory both soft copy in the site and hard copy for submission.
5. If not staying in own house the. Affidavit by owner that applicant is staying there along with electricity bill and his id is needed along with rental agreement. I think even if you are owner carry the electricity bill as well.
Regards
Rahul Rajagopalan

My experience was very positive in the OCI section (both the procedure and the personnel). Weekdays are preferred as it is less crowded. Token system is used to manage the queues. Be there around 8 if you want to get out early. Take all documents that may be relevant even if not mentioned in the website/application forms.all the best!

Worst place to be. All the people who came here were treated like scums by the reception, afrro and a few more people. Reception were really rude to me, as I came here to acquire about my rp as it is missing some kind of information. The one who is doing they job properly was probably the security guard.i was forced to sit down when there were no people in queue and made me wait 2 hours for a simple 2 lines answer. This is the prove of the people not taking they job seriously like it had to be treated.im sincerely very dissapointed with the office, as I expect from a office which accept people from around the world. THIS IS SHOWING HOW BAD OUR COUNTRY PERFORM TO OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRY. WAITED FOR 3 HOURS AND NOTHING DONE.

The worst office in Bangalore. Absolutely useless staff and terrible information. Overall poor experience for anyone visiting the placement they have no clue what they are doing.they should outsource this service elsewhere and dismiss all the employees. Upon writing a grevience mail they never responded. And on lodging a complaint, they decided to withhold the process only to call us over to the office argue with us about the complaint and threatened to reject the application.

Definitely didn't had a bad experience as other posts suggest.may b because I went there just to clear some queries I had.everyone was polite n understanding.