Practice Area Guide

Immigration Law Lawyers

Immigration law in India covers who may enter, stay in, or become a citizen of the country, and the reverse — helping Indian citizens and businesses with the documentation side of moving, studying, or working abroad. On the India-facing side, the main statutes are the Foreigners Act, 1946 (which governs foreigners' entry, stay and departure), the Citizenship Act, 1955 (citizenship by birth, descent, registration or naturalisation, including Overseas Citizen of India status), and the Passports Act, 1967. Every foreign national staying in India beyond a short period must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) covering their city.

Common matters include visa extensions and conversions, OCI card applications, corrections or rejections, employment visa sponsorship for foreign staff working at Indian companies, and — at the more serious end — proceedings before a Foreigners Tribunal or deportation action where someone's citizenship or right to stay is disputed. Many lawyers in this area also assist Indian citizens and their sponsoring employers or universities with the legal and documentary side of outbound study or work visas, though the visa decision itself is always made by the destination country.

No lawyer is listed on Kanoon Sathi for Immigration Law yet. Submit your problem anyway — it costs nothing — and we'll personally match you as soon as one joins.

Frequently asked questions

Do foreign nationals need to register while in India?

Yes — foreign nationals on a long-term visa generally must register with the FRRO (in major cities) or FRO (elsewhere) within 14 days of arrival, and again for extensions or address changes.

What is the difference between an OCI card and a visa?

An OCI card is a long-term status for people of Indian origin (or their spouses) that waives the need for a visa for most purposes, but it is not citizenship and does not carry voting or certain other rights.

Can an Indian company sponsor a foreign employee's visa?

Yes, through an employment visa, which the employer typically applies for on the employee's behalf, subject to salary and role conditions set by government guidelines.

What can I do if my visa or OCI application is rejected?

Rejections can often be appealed or reapplied for once the stated ground is addressed; in more serious matters involving alleged violations, legal representation before the FRRO or a Foreigners Tribunal is advisable.

Immigration Law lawyers on our directory

No lawyers are listed for Immigration Law yet. Submit your problem and we'll personally find a suitable lawyer once one joins.

Submit a Legal Problem
Need help with this? Submit Your Problem