The Lok Sabha has passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, marking a major update to India’s immigration rules, which have been in place for many years. The Bill, approved on March 27, 2025, aims to make visa and immigration processes faster and safer while tightening rules against illegal entry into the country.

Four old immigration laws were replaced

The new Bill will replace four older laws that were considered outdated and not suitable for modern challenges. These are:

  • The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920

  • The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939

  • The Foreigners Act, 1946

  • The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000

New immigration bureau to handle visas and registrations

The Bill proposes the creation of a central body called the ‘Bureau of Immigration’. This agency will be in charge of everything related to immigration, including issuing visas, keeping track of foreigners entering and leaving India, and making sure that everyone follows the rules.

For the first time, the Bill makes it a legal requirement for foreigners to register themselves after arriving in India. This registration process will be managed by the Bureau.

Reporting by airlines, universities, and hospitals

The new Bill also asks airlines, schools, and hospitals to report any foreign nationals they deal with.

  • Airlines must share information about passengers with immigration authorities.

  • Universities need to report if they enroll foreign students.

  • Hospitals must inform authorities if a foreigner is admitted as an inpatient.

This is meant to help the government keep track of foreigners and prevent people from overstaying or entering the country illegally.

Stronger penalties for immigration violations

The Bill also introduces tougher punishments for breaking immigration rules.

  • Illegal entry: If someone enters India without proper documents, they may face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, or both.

  • Fake passports and visas: Using or giving someone a fake passport or visa could lead to two to seven years in prison and a fine between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh.

  • Overstaying: Foreigners who stay beyond their visa limit may face three years in prison and a fine of Rs 3 lakh.

Improving border security

One of the key goals of this Bill is to strengthen India’s borders. The Bureau of Immigration will also oversee a system called the Integrated Immigration Management System (IIMS), which will track the entry and exit of people at airports, seaports, and land borders in real time.

The government also hopes that making institutions responsible for reporting foreign nationals will stop people from misusing tourist or medical visas to stay in the country longer than allowed.

“India is not a dharamshala,” Says Home Minister

During the discussion in Parliament, Union Home Minister Amit Shah defended the Bill and said that while India welcomes foreigners who come legally and contribute to the country, it will not allow illegal entry. “India is not a dharamshala,” he said, explaining that the government wants to draw a clear line between those who follow the rules and those who break them.

Bill to be presented in Rajya Sabha

Now that the Lok Sabha has approved the Bill, it will be sent to the Rajya Sabha, where it will be discussed further. The Upper House can pass the Bill as it is, suggest changes, or reject it. If both Houses agree on the final version, the Bill will go to the President for approval. Once the President gives their assent, the Bill will officially become law.

The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, is seen as a big step toward improving how India handles immigration. It aims to create a safer and more organized system that benefits both legal travelers and the country’s law enforcement agencies.

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