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India overhauls Immigration Laws: Key Highlights from the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025

Kriti
Immigration and Foreigners Rules

On 1-9-2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 replacing the Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950, the Registration of Foreigners Rules, 1992 and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Rules, 2007. The provisions came into force on 1-9-2025.

Key Points:

  1. Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 comes under the ambit of Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

  2. Functions of Immigration Officer:

    • Regular monitoring of functions at immigration post and meet the set standards;

    • Examining cases of immigration fraud;

    • Co-ordinating with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders;

    • Providing guidance and assistance to individuals navigating the immigration process.

  3. Functions of Bureau of Investigation:

    • Providing registration services and other visa related services to foreigners;

    • Implementing provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025;

    • Co-ordinating with the State Governments/ Union Territories Administrations and other agencies on matters relating to identification, restriction of movement, and deportation;

    • Administering information technology systems and custodian of data;

    • Advising the Central Government on policy matters.

  4. Functions of Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration:

    • Administration, vigilance and provisioning matters of Bureau of Investigation;

    • Handling financial matters;

    • Monitoring and supervising matters and functions of Immigration officer and of Bureau of Investigation.

  5. Travel documents issued under the authority of the Government of a foreign country on which a foreigner seeks entry/ transits/ stay/ exit from India will have to conform to the following conditions:

    • The document should have been issued/ renewed by the Government of the country of which the person to whom it relates is a national;

    • The document should have a photograph of the person to whom it relates to and it should be authenticated by the authority issuing the travel document;

    • The document should have an appropriate category of valid visa permitting the foreigner.

  6. Authorities authorized to grant or cancel visa:

    • Ministry of External Affairs including Indian Missions or Consulates abroad;

    • Bureau of Immigration.

  7. Certificate of Registration:

    • It will be granted once the Registration Officer is satisfied that the information provided is correct and complete.

    • It will indicate the period for which the foreigner is authorized to stay in India and will also enlist the places of stay in India if mentioned on the visa.

    • The period of the stay can be restricted by the Registration Officer.

  8. Obligations on the foreigner who has been granted the Certificate of Registration:

    • The foreigner should not visit any other place in India unless he has obtained specific permission from the Registration Officer;

    • The foreigner should inform his arrival and departure to the Registration Officer within 24 hours after his arrival or intended departure;

    • The foreigner should depart before the expiry of the period allowed to stay in India unless he seeks permission from the Registration Officer.

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