The Indian government has drafted a new Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, to tighten the rules around foreigners entering and staying in India. The bill, which is expected to be introduced in Parliament soon, proposes stricter penalties for those entering India illegally or with fake documents.
According to the proposed bill, anyone caught using a fake passport or helping someone enter the country fraudulently could face up to seven years in jail. Transport carriers who bring in individuals without valid travel documents will be fined between ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh. If the fine is not paid, the carrier’s vehicle, including ships or aircraft, can be seized or detained.
The bill also places the responsibility on transport carriers to ensure that anyone whose entry has been denied is sent back promptly. “If any foreigner’s entry has been refused, the Immigration Officer will hand them over to the carrier, and it will be the carrier’s job to remove them from India without delay,” said a government source.
The bill also requires educational institutions, universities, hospitals, and even private residences that host foreigners to report details of these individuals to authorities.
A key feature of the bill is that it will make it mandatory for foreigners to register upon arrival. It will also impose restrictions on their movement, name changes, and access to protected areas. The bill makes it clear that individuals will need to prove that they are not foreigners if questioned by immigration officers.
Under the new law, immigration officers will have the authority to arrest individuals without a warrant if they suspect violations of immigration laws. The government believes this bill will simplify existing laws and address overlapping regulations. The old laws—the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, Foreigners Act, 1946, and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000—will be repealed to make way for a clearer, more streamlined immigration system.
