MHA plans to establish FRROs in all state capitals by 2027
The Ministry of Home Affairs aims to expand the network to improve immigration and consular services for foreign nationals.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Monday that the Union government plans to establish Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) in all state capitals by 2027. This initiative follows directions from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to expand the network as more foreigners visit India for education, medical treatment, and tourism.
According to The Hindu, five new FRROs have been established since 2025, including two this year. The number of FRROs in the country has risen to 20, with offices currently located in Ahmedabad, Amravati, Amritsar, Aizawl, Agartala, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chennai, Cochin, Chandigarh, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kohima, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.
The expansion aims to improve access to consular services, strengthen regulatory compliance, and support efforts to attract international visitors. Officials stated the network will allow foreign nationals to access visa extensions, conversions, and legal clearances closer to where they stay.
The government is pursuing the establishment of FRROs in remaining states including Bihar, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Meghalaya. The FRROs assist the Bureau of Immigration by regulating the lawful stay of foreign nationals, including issuing Registration Certificates and exit permits.
Since 2025, new offices have opened in Jaipur, Chandigarh, and Guwahati. This year, two more became operational in Aizawl, Mizoram, and Amravati, Andhra Pradesh. The government has also recently notified new FRROs in Kohima, Agartala, and Bhubaneswar.