Lok Sabha
According to available information, 16,41,178 visas were issued to foreigners in 2005. As per the details available with the Foreign Regional Registration Officers and State Governments, 5,26,800 foreigners overstayed in the country in 2005.
One of the following actions is taken in overstay cases:
Overstay is regularized by charging visa fees in genuine cases where overstay is unintentional or because of ignorance.
Where the overstay is found to be intentional, the foreigner is served with leave India Notice after charging penalty/visa fee.
Police case is registered under the provision of Foreigners Act to take legal action.
If required, the foreigner is deported to his/her country.
Depending on objectionable activities of the foreigner, his/her name is placed in the negative list.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Dharam Pal Sabharwal.
AK/NSD/Hb
(Release ID :17605)