India Implements New Immigration Act To Strengthen Border Control
Updated: May 23, 2025
The goal of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, is to control foreigners' arrival, stay, and departure in India. In order to streamline procedures and protect national security, it supersedes previous immigration laws and lays out precisely the rights and obligations of both authorities and immigrants.
Details of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill
The Lok Sabha approved the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 on March 27, 2025.
During the bill's debate, the Union Home Minister emphasized that while the government was willing to accept anyone who wanted to go to India for business, education, healthcare, or tourism, the country is not a "dharamshala" (a traveling inn).
The Passport (Entry Into India) Act of 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939, the Foreigners Act of 1946, and the 2000 Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act of 2000 are all repealed by the bill, which will be called the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
These older immigration rules will be replaced by the new act, which will take effect when the central government publishes notice of it in the Official Gazette. This will streamline procedures and protect national security. The act also includes measures to impose stricter immigration laws to prevent illegal entry into India.
Details of the Immigration and Foreigners Bill
Key Features of the New Immigration Act
This bill's classification of foreigners into six groups—tourists, students, skilled workers, business travelers, refugees and asylum seekers, and illegal immigrants—is one of its main features.
Each category has specific regulations regarding Indian visa requirements, length of stay, and extension conditions.
It also lists the many kinds of Indian visas that are available and the requirements for obtaining them. Additionally, it makes the application process easier for professionals, students, and travelers.
The new law also requires foreign nationals to register with a Registration Officer as soon as they arrive in India. They must contact the local authorities if their stay lasts longer than a predetermined amount of time.
Visa Rules and Immigration Process
To regulate foreigners' entry, stay, and departure from India, the Immigration Act 2025 introduces a streamlined and organized visa system.
The bill categorizes visas according to the length of stay and the reason for the visit. In addition to terms of stay for holders of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, the following visa categories are offered: tourist, student, business, employment, medical, research, journalist, religious, refugee/asylum, and transit.
The visa application process for India has been made simpler. Those interested can apply for Indian visas online or at Indian embassies or consulates. However, the type of visa will determine which documents are needed. Long-term visas also require the submission of biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
Visa Rules and Immigration Process
Restriction put in place
Foreign nationals are required to notify the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRRO) of any changes to the information they have submitted, particularly if their address, work status, or educational transfers change.
If such changes are not reported, penalties or deportation may follow.
Students and tourists are not permitted to work or conduct business. In India, individuals with business visas are not permitted to work in salaried positions.
If the holder engages in fraudulent or illegal actions that contravene any Indian laws, their visa may be cancelled. Additionally, the visa may be revoked if it was obtained fraudulently, if the individual is determined to pose a threat to national security, or if they stay longer than allowed.
Penalties for Illegal Immigrants and Refugees
Illegal immigrants are those who overstay their visa or enter India without proper documentation. Authorities now have the authority to detain, deport, or blacklist unlawful immigrants under the new law.
In addition, there is now a special provision for people who apply for asylum because they are being persecuted in their home countries, and the penalty for overstaying visas have been increased.
Depending on the seriousness of the infractions, it imposes severe yet equitable sanctions.
The greatest penalty for small violations would be a five-year ban from entering India again. Others can consist of penalties and warnings. A case-by-case decision will be made on this. Longer bans and stricter enforcement will be applied to repeat offenders.
If deportees attempt illegal re-entry, they will be banned for life and imprisoned for ten years.
Deportation, incarceration, and permanent blacklisting are the consequences of major infractions, particularly those connected to illegal activity, including fraud, violent crimes, and terrorism.
