Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 Introduced in Lok Sabha. Know Key Details

Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on March 11 tabled the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in Lok Sabha. The bill aims at bolstering the country’s immigration laws.

Once passed, the new bill aims to release colonial-era laws, including the Foreigners Act, 1946, the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.

The main intent of this bill is to strengthen national security, while laying equal emphasis on controlling immigration and introducing harsher penalties on foreigners violating entry and stay conditions.

What does the bill say?

The bill says that any foreigner found posing a threat to national security, sovereignty or the integrity of the nation will be barred entry from the country or will be denied permission to stay in India.

It aims to make it compulsory for foreigners to register upon arrival, restricting their movement, name changes, and access to protected and restricted areas.

Educational institutions, hospitals and nursing homes will be compelled to report of foreign nationals to immigration authorities.

According to the bill, violations will attract hefty penalties. Foreigners found guilty of arriving in India without a valid passport or visa may attract imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Foreigners caught using forged documents could face a jail term of two to seven years, with fines ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh.

Additionally, overstaying, violating visa conditions or trespassing in restricted areas could invite three-year jail along with a fine of ₹3 lakh.

Transport carriers ferrying foreign nationals without proper documents will be held liable and can be fined up to ₹5 lakh. Additionally, it could also lead to potential seizure of their transport if penalties are not paid. If a foreigner is denied entry, the carrier will be responsible for their immediate removal from India.

The bill also gives power to immigration officers to arrest individuals without a warrant and gives powers to the central government to regulate the movement of foreigners.