A bill aimed at streamlining services related to immigration and foreigners, including their entry, exit, and stay in India, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The proposed Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, faced opposition criticism, with concerns raised about its compliance with constitutional provisions.
Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, defended the bill, stating that the central government holds the legislative authority under the Union List to introduce such legislation.
“Tourists are welcome to India, but it is the government’s responsibility to ensure the nation’s peace and sovereignty remain intact,” Rai asserted. He emphasised that the bill seeks to address overlapping and duplicate provisions present in current immigration laws.
Opposition voices, however, questioned the bill’s constitutional validity. Congress MP Manish Tewari argued that the legislation violates multiple constitutional provisions and could infringe upon fundamental rights.
“The government may use the proposed law to deny entry to individuals not aligned with the ruling dispensation’s ideology,” Tewari said.
Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy expressed concerns about the potential impact on the inflow of international talent. “This law could deter professionals from various fields from coming to India,” Roy remarked.
The existing legal framework governing the entry, stay, and exit of foreigners includes the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, and the Foreigners Act, 1946.
Indian visas can be granted in physical form by Indian missions abroad, while the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) issues electronic visas under seven categories to nationals from 167 countries. Visa-on-arrival is available for citizens of Japan, South Korea, and the UAE, but only for those UAE nationals who have previously obtained an e-visa or regular visa.
Foreigners staying in India for more than 180 days on long-term visas—such as student, medical, research, employment, missionary, and project visas—are required to register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) or the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) within 14 days of arrival.
Pakistani nationals are required to register within 24 hours.
Other related laws include the Citizenship Act, 1955, which governs the acquisition and termination of Indian citizenship and the registration of foreigners as Overseas Citizens of India (OCI).
The Passports Act, 1967, regulates the issuance of passports and travel documents, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000, holds carriers accountable for transporting passengers in contravention of the Passports Act.
Certain regions in India require special permits for foreign visitors, including parts of the northeastern states, the entire Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and selected areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan.
According to data from the Union Home Ministry, 98,40,321 foreigners visited India between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
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