IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a task force to speed up processing of long-term visa and citizenship applications for Pakistani nationals who are Hindu and face religious persecution at home.

What does the change mean? Citizens of Pakistan who are Hindu may obtain faster processing.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas, residence permits, citizenship.
  • Who is affected: Hindu citizens of Pakistan.
  • Impact on processing times: The task force will expedite processing times for eligible applicants.
  • Next steps: The task force will be led by the Ministry’s joint secretary for foreigners and will begin to monitor and review applications.

Background: Generally, India tightly curtails visas to Pakistani nationals. The new program will only impact Hindus claiming refugee status based on religious persecution.

BAL Analysis: The task force has not yet announced whether it will create special procedures for fast-track service to affected Pakistani citizens. BAL will update clients on further developments as they are announced.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has published several changes to its visa rules.

What does the change mean? The main changes affect Employment, Business and Project Visas.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Employment, Business and Project Visas.
  • Who is affected: Employers and all foreign nationals applying for Business and Project Visas; and nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran and Sri Lanka who are married to Indian nationals.
  • Impact on processing times: The changes should speed up processing times.
  • Business impact: The changes generally make it easier to extend Business and Project Visas.

Background: The Ministry of Home Affairs published the changes May 29. The major changes are as follows:

  1. Business Visas. Applications for extensions of Business Visas must now be submitted to Foreign Registration Offices (FROs) and Foreign Regional Registration Offices (FRROs) rather than to the Ministry of Home Affairs. In addition, the requirement that annual sales or turnover must be over Rs 1 Crore (10 million rupees) within two years of the business start date will now apply only to foreign nationals who apply for extensions who were granted Business Visas for the purpose of establishing an industrial business.
  2. Employment Visas. The minimum annual salary required for employment visas has been reduced from 25,000 USD to 14,000 USD for foreign nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran and Sri Lanka who are married to Indian nationals and who are not eligible for PIO (Person of Indian Origin) cards. They may only obtain Employment Visa extensions from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  3. Project Visas. The first extension application for a period of one year may be granted by state and union territory administrations after they receive field reports from FROs and FRROs. Subsequent extensions must first get approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  4. Visa Conversions. X (Entry) Visas for foreign nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iran and Sri Lanka who are married to Indian nationals and who are not eligible for PIO cards may be converted to Employment Visas through the Ministry of Home Affairs subject to security checks. The new minimum salary of USD14,000 per annum will apply to these conversions.

BAL Analysis: The transfer of authority for business and project visa extensions to local authorities will ease administrative burdens on companies and foreign assignees applying for extensions, and result in faster processing of business and project visa extensions.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

 

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? The Indian Embassy and consulates in the United States will replace its current outsourcing services provider, BLS International, with a new contractor, Cox & Kings Global Services Pvt Ltd.

What does the change mean? Applicants applying for visas and other consular services in the U.S. may face delays, and should anticipate changes to the process as the new provider takes over.

  • Implementation timeframe: BLS will close its operations May 20 and stop accepting applications with the following time frames: BLS will only accept mailed applications received by BLS by May 15, and in-person applications (including “urgent” applications in San Francisco) until May 16. Only emergency applications will be accepted until the morning of May 20. Applications already submitted can be tracked on the BLS website. It is not yet clear when Cox & Kings will start accepting applications. Note also that BLS will be closed on May 14 for the Budh Purnima holiday.
  • Visas/permits affected: Visas, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card, People of Indian Origin (PIO) card, and Certificates of Renunciation of Indian Citizenship.
  • Who is affected: All applicants applying for the above consular services in the U.S.
  • Impact on processing times: The handover of services has a high probability of causing significant disruptions and delays in processing.
  • Business impact: Delays in visa applications may interrupt business travel and work assignments.
  • Next steps: Inform BAL of upcoming travel to India and workwith your BAL attorney to plan filings according to the scheduled transfer to the new provider.

Background: The Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C. formally announced the change yesterday in a statement.

“The current Service Provider, BLS International Limited, will be closing all its operations with regard to Visa/OCI/PIO/Renunciation of Indian Citizenship Certificate support services in the evening of 20th May, 2014 at all locations in USA,” according to the Embassy. India also maintains consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco.

The current contractor, BLS International, has been India’s provider for less than a year. Its tenure was marred by reports of lost passports, and rumors regarding BLS’ replacement have been circulating for months.

The website and locations of the Cox & Kings offices have yet to be announced, but will be released soon, according to the Indian Embassy.

Below is a chart of the filing schedule during the transition:

Mode of Submission BLS will only accept applications received (not postmarked) by this date Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) will only accept applications received after this date – to be confirmed by the Indian government and CKGS
Postal May 15, 2014 May 21, 2014
In Person (Standard) – By appointment only Afternoon of May 16, 2014 May 21, 2014
Urgent (In-Person) – Only in S.F. for U.S. nationals born in the U.S. or India having properly renounced Indian Citizenship Morning of May 16, 2014 May 21, 2014 (Continuation of Urgent Service has not been confirmed.)
Emergency Visa Applications Morning of May 20, 2014 May 21, 2014

BAL Analysis: Employers should plan for delays during the transition and pay close attention to the deadlines in the period leading up to the May 21 handover. Pending applications submitted to BLS can be tracked online at the BLS website until May 20. The new provider has yet to launch its website or provide any instructions regarding the process.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Indian agency that handles employee retirement funds, the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), is asking the Foreign Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) for complete lists of foreign nationals working in India.

What does the change mean? Companies with foreign workers must be in compliance with EPFO requirements and make contributions to the provident (retirement) fund accounts of each employee. The EPFO is seeking the names of foreign workers, and some regional offices are asking for documentary proof of retirement contributions.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Employment visas.
  • Who is affected: Companies required to register and pay into the fund.
  • Impact on processing times: None.
  • Business impact: The new scrutiny is a compliance reminder to companies obligated to contribute to the fund.
  • Next steps: Employers should make sure they are complying with the registration and contribution requirements.

Background: The Provident Fund Act requires that companies with 20 or more employees contribute to the retirement fund accounts of each employee, including workers employed through contractors. Foreign nationals working in India for more than 180 days must be registered with the FRRO within 14 days of their arrival. Contributions into the fund cover workers for various social security programs provided by EPFO. On April 1, EPFO issued a memo directing its regional offices to obtain lists of foreign workers from FRRO offices to monitor whether companies are meeting their obligations to contribute to the fund.

BAL Analysis: The Bangalore regional FRRO has begun asking foreign nationals for documentary proof of retirement contributions, and other regional offices are expected to follow. Employers should be ready to furnish proof of contributions before renewing employment visas.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Indian Consulates in San Francisco and Houston now require applicants for visas to complete an Additional Particulars Form before traveling.

What does the change mean? The consulates will not process visa applications without the special form. The new form is also required for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: All visas, OCI and PIO cards.
  • Who is affected: Those applying for visas and OCI and PIO cards through the San Francisco and Houston Consulates.
  • Impact on processing times: Possible delays.
  • Business impact: There will be delays if the new forms are not included with applications.

Background: As of April 1, the San Francisco and Houston Consulates suddenly began requiring the Additional Particulars Form. The form, which is available on the consular websites, requests additional information about an applicant, such as dual citizenship, military history, criminal background and whether parents or grandparents were ever citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka. Applicants may type or handwrite their responses, and must sign the form.

BAL Analysis: All affected applicants should be aware of this new mandatory form and that the consulates will not consider any application without it.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? India will soon allow visitors from 180 countries to obtain a visa upon arrival or electronic visa services before arrival.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals from nearly all countries, except eight “prior reference” countries – Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan – will be able to obtain a visa upon arrival or an electronic visa before travel.

  • Implementation timeframe: Visas on arrival and electronic visas will initially be introduced at nine Indian airports by the end of the year.
  • Visas/permits affected: Tourist visas.
  • Who is affected: Tourists and business travelers on narrowly-prescribed trips.
  • Impact on processing times: Reduced processing time for travelers who previously needed to apply for a regular visa.
  • Business impact: The relaxation of visa rules is aimed at facilitating business and tourist travel.

Background: In October, India began pushing forward proposals to expand visas on arrival, for the purpose of boosting tourism. Currently, India offers visas on arrival to 11 countries, including Finland, Japan, Indonesia, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. When the expanded program is rolled out, foreign visitors can obtain a visa upon arrival or apply for an e-visa through a designated website three days before travel. Either type of visa will be valid for a single entry for a 30-day period. India plans to introduce the services at nine airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Hyderabad, Goa and Trivandrum, by the end of the year.

“The facility will provide a major boost to the country’s tourism sector. This is historic,” government planning minister Rajiv Shukla told the Times of India.

BAL Analysis: The change will facilitate tourist travel and business travelers on limited activities, such as one-time conferences or quick tours for business purposes. Visas on arrival are highly discretionary; therefore business travelers should generally obtain a business visa before traveling to India rather than risk denial of entry.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – Medium

What is the change? Some Indian consulates are now requiring that companies sponsoring foreign nationals to work in India provide labor market information and additional supporting documentation for certain employment visa applications.

What does the change mean? When requested, employers must submit a letter with their application, certifying that the skills of the foreign worker are not available in India and, in some cases, prove that they tried to hire an Indian for the job.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Employment visas.
  • Who is affected: Companies and assignees applying at Indian consulates, particularly in the U.S., Canada and certain European and Middle Eastern countries, for employment visas.
  • Impact on processing times: While the impact on processing times is minimal, employers may have to provide additional documentation at the time of application when requested by consular officers.
  • Business impact: No immediate impact on business. However, the change in policy is one of many signals of tightening rules on foreign labor. Depending on how strictly they are applied, these rules may impact foreign assignments in India in the long run.
  • Next steps: Employers should be prepared to respond to labor market questions when submitting employment visa applications and to provide necessary supporting documentation.

Background: Indian consulates and embassies, particularly in the U.S., Canada and some countries in Europe and the Middle East, have started requesting labor market information upon submission of employment visa applications for foreign workers.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs states in their “FAQs about Work-Related Visas Issued by India” that an “employment visa shall not be granted for jobs for which qualified Indians are available.”

To show that they are not supplanting a qualified Indian worker, employers applying for employment visas may be asked to submit a letter certifying that the foreign worker is a skilled professional, expert or management-level employee whose skills are not fulfilled by an Indian candidate. The consular officer can also ask for proof that the employer tried to hire an Indian worker for the position, such as a job advertisement.

BAL Analysis: Employers should be prepared to provide a certification letter regarding the applicant’s qualifications and to show job advertisements in case they are asked for additional proof beyond the typical supporting documents requested in the visa application.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – Medium

What are the changes? Another major city in India is enforcing labor market testing before foreign workers can register as residents in Chennai.

What does the change mean? Employers should be prepared to submit evidence that they attempted to recruit Indian workers to fill jobs.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Registration of foreign residents; employment visa extension.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals registering at the Chennai Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
  • Impact on processing times: There may be a delay in a foreign assignee’s registration if the employer does not have evidence of labor market testing. Foreigners are required to register within 14 days of arrival.
  • Business impact: The spread of labor market testing in India may impact decisions on assignment of foreign workers.
  • Next steps: Employers should be aware of the new practice in Chennai and other parts of India and document their efforts to recruit locally.

Background: BAL Global News first reported the change in procedures in January, when Kochi and Hyderabad FRROs began seeking labor market testing evidence from employers. Throughout this year, the practice has been consistently enforced in Hyderabad and has been enforced off and on in Kochi and Bengaluru. The decision whether to enforce this unofficial policy is up to the discretion of the immigration authorities.

In Chennai, the practice is enforced sporadically based on the FRRO officer’s discretion. An employer may be asked to sign a certification that “no qualified Indian is available” for the position. The employer would then submit a list of the foreign employee’s qualifications and professional skills that are essential for the position, along with evidence that the employer made efforts to search for a suitable Indian for the job.

BAL Analysis: To avoid delays, employers should plan to test the local labor market by placing job advertisements in a local newspaper, and should retain proof of their efforts in case they are required to submit evidence when registering a foreign employee.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – Medium

What are the changes? A new procedure in parts of India requires that hotels, landlords and others hosting foreigners immediately register an expat’s arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

What does the change mean? The mandatory filing of this form from a property owner adds a time-sensitive step in a foreign resident’s required registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: All visa types.
  • Who is affected: All foreign visitors and residents in Chennai. The same policy is partially implemented in Hyderabad and will be implemented in Mumbai and Bangalore soon.
  • Impact on processing times: The new process takes about one week to complete after a foreign national’s arrival in India. Note that frequent follow-up by employers may be required to complete the process within that time frame and avoid late fees.
  • Next steps: Employers should prepare to assist foreign nationals in obtaining the online form from the host soon after arrival, and follow up with the FRRO to get a confirmation letter.

Background: The new rule requires hotels, landlords and other property owners who are hosting or housing foreigners to register details of a foreigner’s visit or apartment lease with the authorities within 24 hours of the foreigner’s arrival.

The policy applies to hotels, guest houses, universities, hospitals, institutes, landlords and others providing accommodations to foreigners.

In Chennai, where the policy is in full effect, the premises must register the apartment, hotel or other accommodations online with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). After registration, the premises owner must complete Form C online, preferably within 24 hours of the foreigner’s arrival to avoid delays in processing and late fees. At this point, the employer normally provides its email address and follows up to make sure it receives a confirmation letter of Form C from the FRRO within seven days. The employee then includes Form C in the documents submitted for his or her registration with the FRRO.

The Form C registration policy is part of the Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT) system that is being implemented country wide and is aimed at helping authorities locate and track foreigners. It will continue to be rolled out to other parts of India, including Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bangalore.

BAL Analysis: Employers and assignees arriving in India should be aware of this new mandatory filing requirement and its timing. Note that it takes about seven days for the premises owner to obtain a confirmation letter of Form C from the FRRO. If planning on staying in India for more than six months or if indicated on their visa, foreigners must register with the FRRO, including the Form C confirmation letter, within 14 days of arrival. Therefore, immediately after an employee lands in India, an employer should begin working with the landlord to start the registration process.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider in India. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – Medium

What are the changes? The Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bangalore is moving to a new address on Nov. 12.

  • Implementation timeframe: Nov. 8-12.
  • Visas/permits affected: All visas and work permits processed at the Bangalore FRRO.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals requiring processing or appointments at the Bangalore FRRO.
  • Impact on processing times: Some delay in processing is expected because of the move.
  • Next steps: Plan ahead for the change and avoid scheduling in-person appointments at the Bangalore FRRO during the moving period.

Background: The new address for the Bangalore FRRO is: 5th Floor, TTMC “A” Block, KH Road, BMTC, Shanthinagar Bangalore – 23.

The office has undergone changes in recent years as Bangalore city has become an increasingly important hub in global technology. On Jan. 11, 2010, the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs upgraded the Bangalore Foreign Registration Office (FRO) to an FRRO to handle the growing volume of applications in house rather than forwarding them to regional offices.

BAL analysis: Companies and assignees should make note of the address change and expect some delays.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in India. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.