India’s Parliament has passed a new immigration bill that introduces stricter penalties for those using fake passports or visas. The bill, presented in the Lok Sabha on March 11, aims to comprehensively govern all matters related to foreigners and immigration, replacing four existing laws.
Key Provisions of the Bill
- Stricter Penalties: Anyone caught using a fake passport or visa to enter, remain, or leave India will face a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
- Reporting Requirements: Hotels, universities, educational institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes must report information about foreigners to help monitor those who overstay their visas.
- Passenger and Crew Manifests: International airlines and ships must provide passenger and crew manifests, as well as advance information about those on board, at ports or locations in India.
- Registration Requirements: Foreigners staying in India for more than 180 days must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or the appropriate Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 14 days of their arrival.
The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, aims to balance national security concerns with the promotion of economic growth and tourism. The bill does not pertain to citizenship matters, which are governed by the Citizenship Act of 1955.
The new bill introduces stricter penalties for foreigners who enter India without a valid passport or travel document, including a necessary visa. They will face a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to five lakh rupees, or both.
The bill aligns with the government’s initiative to simplify laws, enhance ease of doing business, and reduce compliance burdens. It retains and simplifies various provisions from existing laws while introducing new measures to address contemporary needs.
Indian missions or posts abroad can issue all categories of visas to foreigners in physical or sticker formats, while the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) issues electronic visas across seven categories to citizens from 167 countries. Nationals from Japan, South Korea, and the UAE can obtain visas on arrival at six designated airports.
There are restricted areas in India where foreigners require special permits to travel, including parts of the northeastern region, the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
The new immigration bill is expected to aid in addressing the issue of illegal immigration to India and assist in tracking the movements of overstaying foreigners. It will also help lessen compliance burdens.
