GUWAHATI: The central government on Tuesday, March 11, introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in Parliament to tighten national security and streamline the nation’s immigration laws. The legislation has been proposed to consolidate existing laws governing immigration and foreigners in India.
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While introducing the bill, Bihar Home Affairs Minister Nityanand Rai clarified that the new law is not intended to restrict foreign visitors but to ensure they comply with India’s immigration rules.
“More people are welcome in India, but they must adhere to the immigration law. The provisions of the law are important for national security,” Rai said.
The bill introduces several measures to improve monitoring and compliance regarding foreigners in India:
- Responsibility on Institutions & Residences: Educational and medical institutions, including universities and hospitals, as well as owners of private residences, must inform authorities if foreigners are staying at their facility.
- Airline & Vessel Compliance: Carriers such as airlines and ships will be obligated to remove passengers denied entry by immigration officers and provide advance passenger and crew data to authorities. Failure to comply may result in a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
- Simplification of Immigration Laws: The bill seeks to abolish four existing laws—the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000—which currently regulate aspects of immigration and foreign nationals in India.
The government further highlighted that the existing laws were introduced during the World Wars and are outdated. “The existing Acts not only date back to the pre-Constitution period but were enacted during extraordinary times of the First and Second World Wars,” the bill’s statement of objects and reasons noted.
Once implemented, the law will give the central government the authority to regulate entry and exit of individuals into and from India, set rules for visa requirements and foreigners’ registration, and strengthen national security by enforcing stricter immigration protocols.
Rai also emphasised that as India continues to grow economically, the government is committed to attracting more tourists while also ensuring national security remains a priority.
