Chittoor hosts told to register foreign guests within 24 hours

Chittoor Superintendent of Police Tushar Dudi has directed establishments and individuals accommodating foreign nationals to register their details online within 24 hours of arrival. In a statement on Sunday, Dudi said hotels, guest houses, private homeowners, hospitals, hostels, ashrams, choultries, educational institutions and other accommodation providers must submit information digitally to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office and Foreigners Registration Office. The required information includes arrival, stay and departure details.

The police chief said passport, visa, personal and accommodation information must be entered through the Indian FRRO website using Form III and Form C procedures. Dudi cited Section 8 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and warned managements against negligence in registration. Under Section 23(b), he said, a failure to submit the details could attract a penalty of between ₹50,000 and ₹1 lakh, imprisonment for two to seven years, or both.

He said establishments hosting foreign nationals for work, education, medical treatment or tourism must follow the legal procedures and ensure that visitors hold valid passports and visas. The warning places responsibility on both commercial and private hosts to report the required information rather than limiting the obligation to hotels. Dudi said the details should be uploaded within the specified period after a foreign national’s arrival.

He also clarified that Overseas Citizens of India cannot contest or vote in elections in India and cannot purchase agricultural land in the country. The statement did not identify any specific establishment accused of violating the requirements. It instead set out the police warning and the potential consequences for failing to comply with the registration rules.