Jaipur: Nine Foreign Women Deported After Spa Centre Raids Expose Visa Violations

In one of its biggest and toughest crackdowns yet, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in Jaipur have taken strict action against foreign nationals living illegally in the city and spa centres operating without proper documentation. FRRO teams raided several areas across the city and detained nine foreign women who were overstaying their visas, subsequently deporting them to their home countries. Police and immigration officials said most of the women were working at spa and wellness centres in the city's upmarket neighbourhoods. Authorities made clear that no foreign national violating India's immigration laws would be spared, and that the operation would continue.

Women from Thailand, Nigeria and Uganda among those held

According to FRRO officials, all nine women had entered India on tourist or short-term visas but continued residing illegally in Jaipur after their visas expired, without informing the authorities.

• Five women from Thailand: The largest group, five Thai nationals, were working as therapists at prominent spa centres in Jaipur.
• Women from African nations and Laos: The remaining group comprised one woman each from Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria and Laos.

Covert raids on spa centres

Acting on confidential intelligence and inputs from local police, special FRRO teams carried out surprise inspections at spa centres, where checks of passports and visa documents revealed the women's visas had lapsed.

FRO issues advisory: no accommodation without verification

Following the crackdown, Foreigners Registration Officer Dharmendra Sagar issued an advisory to all hospitality operators and residents in the city.

• Mandatory passport and visa checks: Sagar urged all landlords, hoteliers, guest house owners and homestay operators to thoroughly verify the original passports and valid visas of foreign nationals before offering accommodation.
• Online C-Form mandatory: He stressed that anyone hosting a foreign national is legally required to submit their details on the immigration department's online portal via the C-Form.
• Legal action for negligence: Any hotel or property owner found sheltering a foreign national without a valid visa or without filing the C-Form would face strict legal and penal action under the Foreigners Act.