Shasha

Hello,

I have friends visiting and staying with me (from the UK). I own my place and therefore they are not "renting", just staying with me. do they need to fill out a C form? They will be here for a week, but one of them for two months. And what if they don't fill one out? What happens?

The rules are unclear and people do not get notified at the airport about this requirement. Can anyone shed light on this please? Thanks.

Bipat

According to the Registration of Foreigners Act 1939 and repeated in the Rules 1992 -- the rough wording is -- Any person having the management of any hotel, boarding house, sarai or like premises is required to report etc. (Form C)

When this law was introduced it included private homes and there was an 'outcry' and an amendment was made within days, excluding private homes.
When this matter was discussed on IM I found a link to the amendment but unfortunately didn't keep it and now can't find it.

We for years have been staying in relatives or friends houses in various cities often unplanned and often just overnight it would be totally impractical for them to rush out and get a C Form. (OH only just got OCI last year).
This applies to hundreds of foreign visitors many with families in India. So therefore the reason for the amendment.

Shasha

That is so helpful - thanks a lot! Saves lots of forms, photos and rushing off to Calangute police station.

Bipat

On further worrying thought, as you are living in a, very much, tourist area and if your visitors are friends, not relatives how would you prove that they are not paying you rent if some unpleasant person reports you to the police as a 'landlord'. (The onus is on the landlord to submit the form). No answer to that unfortunately.

Shasha

Actually, they are family of sorts...!

Do you know why exactly the law was introduced? Thanks

Shasha

Actually, they are family of sorts...!

Do you know why exactly the law was introduced? Thanks

Also, what about foreigners who own places in Goa and visit for a few months at a time? Do they have to fill it out too?

Bipat

No, I don't know why the law was introduced originally, but it is now used to track movements of foreigners -- with registration, mainly those who intend to stay more than 180 days.
The 'C' form is the responsibility of a landlord/ hotel owner etc. that is, places where payment is involved.
The Act doesn't cover present day foreign house owners, I presume it hasn't really been updated, but I have read that more on-line data is to be kept.

leavinggoa

I "own" my flat but I have always filled a Form C. Better than an argument with the police.

wookiebt

Completely agree.

a_f_d

Don't agree at all, you can't 'rent' to yourself; you don't pay yourself, you are NOT in the business of running or managing a guest-house etc.
If you 'own' your flat/house you should be on an X visa and should register with the FR[R]O - an RP trumps a 'C' form!

AndyD 8-)₹

wookiebt

Good in principle, but how many non Indian origin are on X visa?

wookiebt

Didn't you only get a 6 month X this year, instead of your usual 12 month?

DecipherDivinti

you dont need to fill out any c form's. . plain and simple if you own the property not needed.
however if any unfortunate event.. you may be stuck since you wont know the right things in terms of lawful knowledge to throw at cops.

chrisjolly

Having read some of the replies there seems, as usual, various opinions about this matter. Having talked to Goan friends here I would always recommend anyone staying here to complete the form C as it is easy to complete and takes a few minutes to have signed in the local police station. If you are driving or even just involved in some problem the police will ask for it. The owner signs it or if you own the property you sign as the manager. It should be done as soon as possible after arrival.
Its not a big problem and all of our security here is built around following the rules whatever we might think of them.

Shasha

Interesting replies above...I own my property and my guests are family/friends and certainly not paying anything! I think bipat's response was very helpful as it quotes the law and not practice, if you see what I mean...