PANAJI
They were living in Goa, not slipping across a border but in a resort in Ashwem, a home in Siolim, a hotel in Anjuna and other local accommodations. Their immigration violations came to light only when the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO-Goa) began checking their records and whereabouts.
At least 10 foreigners have been arrested this month so far, for allegedly staying in India without valid visas or travel documents. These violators hail from Thailand, Russia, Iran, Uganda, Japan, Austria, Nigeria and Kenya, with some alleged overstays running into years.
Official information with The Goan revealed that the first arrests came on August 5, wherein Thai national Itsaraporn Phannakhen, 38, was found at a resort in Ashvem without a valid visa. He was handed over to the local police and subsequently arrested.
In Mandrem, Russian national Denis Fominov, 41, was allegedly found at Gawadewada without a valid passport and visa. Mandrem police arrested him and registered a case under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The following day, the checks reached Siolim with Iranian national Hamed Zarsav, 38, caught without a valid visa. Records showed he entered India in October 2021 and had allegedly remained for nearly five years after his authorised stay ended. At Sonar Bhat, Siolim, Ugandan national Natasha Edwig, 36, was found allegedly without a valid passport or visa and arrested.
Details further revealed that three more arrests followed on August 8. Japanese national Arifumi Tomiyama was arrested in the early hours after allegedly being found without a visa. Later, Russian national Ivan Izotov, 35, was arrested at New Wada, Morjim, allegedly without valid travel documents. Austrian national Rene Michael Joebstl, 53, was arrested at Arambol after allegedly being found without a valid passport and visa.
On Monday, the FRRO picked up two women in separate cases at the same Anjuna hotel. A 36-year-old Nigerian woman had entered India on a medical visa in 2021, which expired later that year. She allegedly remained in the country for years before being detected. Sources said her passport had also recently expired.
Another foreign national, a 42-year-old Kenyan was apprehended for allegedly overstaying her tourist visa after entering India in December 2025.
“Both women were staying in separate rooms and were handed over to Anjuna police for further legal formalities, including placement at a detention centre,” the official said.
On Tuesday, the FRRO made a fresh arrest of a Nigerian woman who had arrived in Goa 12 years ago on a tourist visa. Sources said she married during her stay in the State and has two children.
Meanwhile, the detention centre at Mapusa currently has 24 illegally staying foreigners awaiting deportation to their respective countries.
50+ deported this year
PANAJI: The FRRO has, this year alone, deported more than 50 foreign nationals found to be living illegally in Goa. Over the past 18 months, it has deported or facilitated the exit of around 160 foreign nationals, including more than 29 Bangladeshi nationals found overstaying in the State.
“The focus is on verification and ensuring that people whose visas have expired do not continue to stay in the State without the required permission,” the source said.
