Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025

Table of Contents

Context: The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, is likely to be introduced by the Union Home Minister in the ongoing Budget session of Parliament.

Key Provisions of Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025

The Bill will replace four existing laws

The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
The Foreigners Act, 1946
The Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000

Roles and Functions

Defines the role of Immigration Officers and the Bureau of Immigration (BoI).
Specifies requirements related to passports, visas and registration of foreigners.

Obligations of Institutions

Educational Institutions: Must admit foreign nationals and follow prescribed guidelines.
Hospitals and Medical Institutions: Required to admit foreign nationals as well.

More Power to Immigration Officers

Under the new law, immigration officers will have:

Greater authority to detain, investigate, and deport illegal immigrants.
The power to control movements of restricted foreigners.
A foreign national can be denied entry or stay if it poses a threat to national security, sovereignty, or public health.
- The Immigration Officer’s decision regarding admissibility will be final and binding.

Penal Provisions

Entering without a passport: Penalty of 5 years imprisonment or fine up to ₹5 lakh or both.
Use or supply of forged documents: Penalty of 2 to 7 years imprisonment and a fine ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
Overstaying beyond visa limits: Penalty of 3 years imprisonment and a fine up to ₹3 lakh.

State Role in Detection and Deportation

State Police Involvement: Since there is no federal police force dedicated to detecting and deporting illegal foreigners, State police have been entrusted with this task.
States can set up detention centres (though not explicitly mentioned in the Bill) for foreigners awaiting deportation.

Other Mechanisms to Track Foreigners’ Movement

The MHA has asked States to create two committees to identify foreigners who entered India before and after January 1, 2011, and overstayed their visas.
Foreigners Identification Portal: It allows State police to upload biometrics and details of illegal foreigners, helping prevent fraudulent document issuance (like Aadhaar cards).