The Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 seeks to modernize India's immigration laws by consolidating four existing acts. It mandates foreigner registration, increases penalties for carriers, and strengthens enforcement against violations. The bill also empowers the Centre to regulate passport, visa, and entry requirements for foreigners with stricter penalties.
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The Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 is a comprehensive legislation planned by the Union government to modernize and streamline the country's immigration laws.
The legislation aims to replace four existing laws—the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946; and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000—to avoid multiplicity and overlapping of laws on the same or related subjects.
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According to government data, a total of 9,840,321 foreigners visited India between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. |
Every university and educational institution admitting any foreigner must provide information about the foreigner to the registration officer in a prescribed manner.
Every hospital, nursing home, or other medical institution providing medical, lodging, or sleeping facilities must inform the registration officer about any foreigner receiving indoor medical treatment or their attendant.
Every person occupying or controlling residential premises must submit information to the registration officer about any foreigner accommodated in such premises.
Carriers landing or embarking at a port or place in India must provide advance information about passengers and crew on board.
If a foreigner is denied entry, the carrier is responsible for ensuring their removal from India without delay.
The bill proposes to increase the penalty on carriers for violations from the existing ₹1 lakh to ₹2 lakh, which can be extended up to ₹5 lakh.
The maximum punishment for using a forged passport or other travel document has been reduced from eight years (under the existing Foreigners Act of 1946) to seven years.
Foreigners entering India without a valid passport or visa could face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
The bill confers powers on the Centre to regulate matters related to foreigners, including the requirement of passports or other travel documents, visa requirements, and registration.
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