The Indian Parliament has passed the much-anticipated Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, bringing sweeping changes to the country’s immigration laws. The new legislation enforces stringent penalties, including up to seven years of imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals caught using fake passports, visas, or fraudulent travel documents to enter, stay, or exit India.
Stricter Measures Against Immigration Violations
The bill, presented in the Lok Sabha on March 11, 2025, mandates that any individual found knowingly using or providing forged passports, visas, or travel documents will face a minimum of two years in prison, which can extend up to seven years, along with fines ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
Additionally, foreigners entering India without valid travel documents, including a necessary visa, will be subject to a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, or both.
Enhanced Monitoring of Foreign Nationals
To curb illegal immigration, the bill introduces a structured monitoring system requiring institutions such as hotels, universities, educational institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes to report information about foreigners under their supervision. This move aims to prevent overstaying beyond visa validity periods.
Furthermore, all international airlines and ships operating in India must provide passenger and crew manifests in advance at designated ports, facilitating better immigration oversight.
Streamlining India’s Immigration Framework
The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 aims to consolidate and replace four existing immigration laws:
- The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
- The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
- The Foreigners Act, 1946
- The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000
By repealing these outdated laws, the new bill seeks to simplify compliance, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and align immigration policies with modern security and economic requirements.
Balancing Security and Economic Growth
While the bill tightens regulations on illegal immigration, it also aims to facilitate economic growth and tourism by streamlining visa processes. The Bureau of Immigration (BoI) is empowered to issue electronic visas across seven categories to citizens from 167 countries, while Indian embassies and missions abroad can issue visas in both physical and sticker formats.
Moreover, nationals from Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, who previously held an e-visa or regular visa, can now obtain visas on arrival at six designated airports.
Regulating Foreigners’ Stay and Movement
The new law strengthens the government’s ability to regulate areas frequented by foreigners, granting powers to:
- Restrict access to certain locations
- Close premises or impose conditions on their use
- Track and manage overstaying foreigners more efficiently
Compliance Requirements for Foreigners in India
Under the revised regulations, foreigners on long-term visas (exceeding 180 days) for study, medical treatment, research, employment, or missionary work must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 14 days of arrival.
For Pakistani citizens, the registration requirement is within 24 hours.
Restricted Areas and Additional Regulations
Certain regions in India continue to require special permits for foreign travelers, including:
- Parts of Northeastern India
- The entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Specific zones in Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan
Additionally, the Citizenship Act of 1955 remains the governing framework for acquiring Indian citizenship and registering as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI).
Government’s Stance on the Bill
An official from the Union Home Ministry stated, “The new Immigration and Foreigners Bill will play a crucial role in tackling illegal immigration, improving national security, and easing compliance for legitimate travelers. It brings much-needed updates to India’s outdated immigration system.”
With 98.40 lakh foreigners visiting India between April 2023 and March 2024, this legislative overhaul ensures stricter border control while enhancing ease of travel for genuine visitors.
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