• Source:JND

New Immigration Rules: The Centre has updated its guidelines for foreign nationals planning to stay in India for extended periods. The Union Home Ministry has amended provisions under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, revising the timeline for mandatory registration and introducing relaxations in certain cases involving children born to foreign parents.

According to a notification issued by the ministry and published in the official gazette on Monday, foreigners entering India on visas valid for 180 days or less will now be required to complete their registration “any time before the expiry of the said period of 180 days” if they intend to stay beyond the permitted duration.

This replaces the earlier rule that allowed registration “within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days of his arrival in India”.

The notification read, “The Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 12, ‘(a) in sub-rule (1), ‘(i) in the third proviso, for the words ‘within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days of his arrival in India’, the words ‘any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days’ shall be substituted."

ALSO READ: Two Indian Medical Students Drown While Swimming In Kazakhstan; Doctors' Association Seeks MEA Intervention

The revised provisions also apply to foreigners holding visas exceeding 180 days, where the visa condition specifies that “each stay shall not exceed 180 days”.

Such visa holders who wish to continue their stay in India either during a single visit or cumulatively within a calendar year will now be required to complete registration before reaching the 180-day limit.

ALSO READ: Nashik Sexual Assault Case: Police Identify Another Accused For 'Sheltering' Absconding TCS Employee

The government has further clarified that approvals for extended stays beyond the prescribed limit will be granted “only in emergent circumstances".

Relief for Foreign Parents of Children Born in India

The amended rules also provide relaxation in cases involving children born in India to foreign nationals.

Earlier, parents were required to electronically notify the registration officer within 30 days of the child’s birth to access visa-related services, including obtaining a new visa or exit permission through the designated online portal or mobile application.

Under the revised framework, this requirement will not apply where either parent is an Indian citizen and the family chooses to retain the child’s Indian citizenship.


Also In News