All establishments in Karnataka dealing with foreigners told to register with FRRO

The Karnataka government has directed all establishments — educational institutions, hospitals, hotels, commercial establishments, companies and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) — who have foreign nationals in them either for education, for medical treatment or for work, to register themselves with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). These establishments should declare the foreigners associated with them, provide copies of their passport and visa, give FRRO details of their role and responsibilities as well. The circular was issued in June 2025. 

This order comes in the wake of landlords, who have rented out their premises to foreign nationals, being asked to register themselves with FRRO. Bengaluru City Police have been conducting special drives booking landlords who have not done so and have rented out premises to overstaying foreigners. 

“All institutions who entertain foreigners need to register with FRRO, using what we call Form S and only then deal with foreigners. After this, they also need to submit what is called a Form C to FRRO, with details of the foreign nationals they are associated with. This rule existed earlier as well, but is now being followed rigorously. There have been a few cases registered against landlords for not following this rule in Bengaluru, but no cases against any institutions yet. If there are any instances, we will take stringent action under the law,” said K. Santosh Babu, FRRO, Bengaluru. 

Surveillance 

The State government has directed Karnataka State Police to carry out a close surveillance of areas where a large number of foreign nationals reside. Not only will local police be tasked with this, but KSP has been directed to use intelligence officials and those from the Reserve Police Forces for surveillance of these areas, Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara told the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, responding to a question raised by Malleshwaram BJP MLA Dr. C.N. Ashwath Narayan, during the recently concluded legislature session. 

Meanwhile, the State has till date identified 500 illegally staying foreign nationals this year, and of them, 61 cases have been booked against 229 illegally staying foreigners. A total of 301 foreigners have been deported to their respective countries so far. The State has also booked five cases against 11 individuals for providing fake Aadhaar cards to illegally staying foreign nationals, this year. 

Responding to a question on whether the government has plans to open a new Foreigners Detention Centre (FDC), Dr. Parameshwara has said that there are two FDCs presently — one in Nelamanagala for men and another at Dibbur in Tumakuru for women, each with a capacity of 50 inmates and the government had no plans to open any new FDC. 

13,675 expats in Karnataka

The data tabled by Dr. Parameshwara also shows that the State has 13,675 expats living legally. While Bengaluru has most of them at 10,650, Mysuru has 812 foreigners, followed by Udupi, Uttara Kannada and Belagavi districts, each of which have over 450 expats living in them.