Q.850 Hotels in India must

provide police list of foreign

guests in 24 hours

Question: Hello Mr Chand, My name is Al Mathias and I was referred to you by my brother-in-law, Carlos Mascarenhas in Loutulim Goa. He was also able to give me your website and e mail address. I have been asked to inquire about these items: 1. A visitor to Goa/India, whether or not he has a PIO or OCI Card, has to fill in the form on arrival at the Airport, to indicate where he will be staying while in Goa. Having done that, does he need to report to any authority himself, or if staying at a hotel or Bed and Breakfast place, does he fill in the forms of that Hotel/B&B, indicating his passport, citizenship etc and then it is the requirement of the Hotel to submit that info to the Police or other authorities? 2. Is there a deadline for the holder of a PIO Card - which has lifetime Visa to India - to now apply for a OCI card? Is this a requirement to change form PIO to OCI? Is there a cost for the OCI Card? Would appreciate your advice. Many thanks, Al Mathias [February 11, 2016] Answer: Having filled the Arrival card and leaving the airport after going through customs, there is no other authority to report to. Passengers simply go to their intended destinations. To clarify: 1. All Foreigners and NRIs arriving in India are required to furnish particulars in the Disembarkation Card (Arrival Card) such as their name, nationality, age, sex, place of birth etc. Foreign tourists also need to provide an address or intended address in India. Although an address or hotel name is provided by the arriving passenger, they are still free to stay where ever they desire. For instance if a passenger states he intends to stay at a particular hotel, it does not mean that he cannot change his mind and go to a different hotel or go and stay with a friend or relative. Other than showing their passports and signing the hotel registration form when checking in to a hotel. Foreign tourists do not need to fill any other form. During the hotel registration process, the hotel will take a photo copy of the foreign tourist guests passport and visa page. The passport is then returned to the guest. Once a foreign tourist checks into a hotel. It is the hotels responsibility to provide the local police station with a list of all foreigners staying at their hotel. As per current rules: ‘Any Hotel/ Guest House/ Dharmashala/Individual House/ University/ Hospital/ Institute/ Others etc. who provide accommodation to foreigners must submit the details of the residing foreigner in Form C to the Registration authorities within 24 hours of the arrival of the foreigner at their premises’ This police notification is easy now a days as it can be done on-line. Hotel clerks can simply login to the appropriate web page for submitting Form C and fill in the particulars of their foreign guest. This rule to submit Form C is for all India and hence the same rules apply in Goa. Some small B&B places may overlook this rule but it is the law. To combat terrorism these rules have become necessary. Many Indian citizens do not have a passport. They generally use Government issued photo ID such as Voter ID, Driving License or Aadhaar Card. 2. Regarding your question number 2, I have a article on this website explaining the current situation of PIO cards. This article includes information such as: o PIO card continued validity o How to convert PIO card to OCI for free o Traveling with PIO card o Lifelong stamp on your current PIO card passport The article is titled ‘Current situation on PIO Cards’ To view this article Click HERE or use the link provided below: http://nriinformation.com/articles5/index.htm Hope this helps. Do give my regards to your brother in law. I met him in Pune a few years ago before he moved to Goa. He is indeed a wonderful person and I wish him all the best.