Parliament unveils new Immigration & Foreigners Bill—big changes ahead

The government introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, in Parliament on Tuesday to enhance national security. Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, clarified that the law does not aim to restrict entry into India.

“We welcome more people to India, but they must follow immigration laws. These provisions are crucial for national security,” Rai said. He emphasized that as India grows economically, the government remains committed to attracting more tourists while prioritizing security.

The bill requires educational and medical institutions, private residences, hospitals, and universities to report any foreign nationals staying at their facilities. Rai noted that this rule already exists through an order but will now be part of the law.

Airlines and vessels must remove passengers denied entry by immigration officers and submit passenger and crew data in advance. Carriers violating these rules face fines of up to ₹5 lakh.

The bill seeks to replace four outdated laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability)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. These laws, enacted during wartime, contain overlapping provisions and require consolidation.

“These acts are pre-Constitution era laws from extraordinary times. The new bill eliminates redundancy and simplifies regulations,” the government stated. The new law ensures clarity and streamlines immigration policies.

Once implemented, the law will empower the Centre to enforce passport and visa requirements, regulate foreign nationals, and oversee entry and exit procedures.

Government data shows that 9,840,321 foreigners visited India between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. The new law aims to manage immigration more efficiently while maintaining national security.