India Tightens Immigration Laws For Foreigners

India has enacted the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 into law, introducing stricter regulations for foreign nationals’ entry, residence, and exit into the country.

These changes serve as guidelines for travellers planning to visit India, as they modify how foreign nationals are managed within the country.

According to TravelBiz, the new law seeks to improve national security while simplifying and modernising India’s immigration system.

The new law also introduced penalties for forged documents, expands institutions’ reporting responsibilities, and makes provisions for stricter monitoring of foreign nationals.

Under the new legislation, any individual found using fake documents such as passports or visas to enter, stay, or leave India will face severe penalties. Offenders may face up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill of 2025 also places additional reporting obligations on various institutions and carriers.

Hotels, universities, hospitals, and airlines must now report specific information about foreign nationals, including reporting instances of visa overstays, submitting passenger and crew manifests to authorities, and sharing advance passenger information.

The new legislation also introduces penalties for foreigners entering India without valid travel documents.

Individuals entering without proper visas or necessary documentation may face imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.

The law consolidates and replaces four existing immigration laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act of 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939, the Foreigners Act of 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act of 2000.

While focusing on national security, the bill also seeks to support India’s tourism and economic growth by maintaining a balance between stringent regulations and promoting international travel.

For foreigners staying in India on long-term visas (over 180 days), registration with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) is mandatory within 14 days of arrival.

Foreign nationals must also obtain special permits to visit certain areas in India, such as the northeastern region, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir.