Court mandates swift action on visa applications within ten days to ensure compliance with guidelines
In a significant development concerning immigration law, the Delhi High Court has issued a directive to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to expedite the processing of visa applications for the petitioners, Ms. Pernia Qureshi and others, in line with applicable guidelines. The court, presided over by Justice Sachin Datta, emphasized the need for swift action in processing these applications, ensuring decisions are made within a ten-day timeframe.
The judgment, passed on April 20, 2026, arose from two separate writ petitions, W.P.(C) 2063 of 2019 and W.P.(C) 2991 of 2019, filed by the petitioners. The court's directive follows previous orders from January 22, 2026, which instructed the petitioners to apply for regular visas at the FRRO, Delhi. Subsequently, the FRRO was tasked with processing these applications expeditiously.
The case took a pivotal turn when the petitioners filed an application on January 28, 2026, seeking visa issuance. However, an email dated January 31, 2026, from the FRRO required the petitioners to reapply with correct passport details. The petitioners, contesting the need for reapplication, provided the correct passport information and pursued the matter diligently.
Justice Datta, addressing the delays, reiterated the court's stance on the importance of adhering to guidelines and timelines. The petitioners' fresh application, dated April 15, 2026, remains pending, prompting the court's directive for a decision within ten days.
The court's order is clear in its expectation of compliance, stating that the FRRO must act expeditiously and make every effort to issue the visa to the petitioners as per established guidelines. This ruling aims to ensure that the rights and contentions of the petitioners are respected and processed without undue delay.
The matter is scheduled for further consideration on July 14, 2026, where the court is expected to review the progress made by the FRRO in processing the visa applications.
Bottom Line:
Directions issued to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to expeditiously process and decide visa applications of the petitioners in accordance with applicable guidelines.
Statutory provision(s): Immigration Law, Visa application guidelines.
Ms. Pernia Qureshi v. Union of India, (Delhi) : Law Finder Doc id # 2886127
