Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025

Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025: The Bill was recently introduced in the Lok Sabha to streamline immigration services, regulate entry, exit, and stay of foreigners, and replace outdated laws.

• About Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025: Its objective to modernize India’s immigration system, strengthen border security, and regulate foreigners’ registration.
• Replaces Old Laws: Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 → Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939 → Foreigners Act, 1946 → Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.
• Key Features:

o Onus of Proof: The onus of proving citizenship lies on the individual, not the state.

o Stricter Penalties: Fake Passports (7 years jail + fine up to ₹10 lakh) → Forged Documents (5 years jail + fine up to ₹5 lakh) → Overstaying/Trespassing (3 years jail + fine up to ₹3 lakh) → Unauthorized Entry (Fine up to ₹5 lakh)

o Visa and Passport Regulations: No individual can enter India without a valid passport/visa & Foreigners must register on arrival.

o Immigration Officers’ Powers: Can arrest without warrant and regulate movement of foreigners & can restrict departure if required by an authorized agency.

o Foreigners’ Restrictions: Entry can be denied on national interest grounds & restrictions on name changes, movement, and access to protected areas.

o Institutional Obligations: Educational Institutions (Must register foreign students and report them) & Medical Institutions (Must maintain records of foreign nationals).

o Carriers’ Liability: Airlines, shipping companies, and transport agencies must verify passenger documents before boarding, and non-compliance invites legal penalties.