Foreigners in India must now register early to stay beyond 180 days; Centre amends immigration rules
New regulations from the Union Home Ministry now require foreigners staying in India for 180 days or less to register before their visa expires if they wish to extend their stay
The Indian government has amended the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, requiring foreigners on visas valid for 180 days or less to register before their visa expires if they intend to extend their stay, a significant shift from the previous rule that allowed registration within fourteen days after the 180-day period. For those with visas exceeding 180 days, each stay is capped at 180 days, necessitating registration before the expiry of this period for any extension, which will only be granted under emergency circumstances. Additionally, the new rules modify provisions for children born in India to foreign nationals, exempting registration requirements if either parent is an Indian citizen and the child retains Indian citizenship, though notification is required if the child later acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India. The amendments also update reporting obligations for medical institutions offering lodging.
The Indian government has amended the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, requiring foreigners on visas valid for 180 days or less to register before their visa expires if they intend to extend their stay, a significant shift from the previous rule that allowed registration within fourteen days after the 180-day period. For those with visas exceeding 180 days, each stay is capped at 180 days, necessitating registration before the expiry of this period for any extension, which will only be granted under emergency circumstances. Additionally, the new rules modify provisions for children born in India to foreign nationals, exempting registration requirements if either parent is an Indian citizen and the child retains Indian citizenship, though notification is required if the child later acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India. The amendments also update reporting obligations for medical institutions offering lodging.
The Indian government has amended the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, requiring foreigners on visas valid for 180 days or less to register before their visa expires if they intend to extend their stay, a significant shift from the previous rule that allowed registration within fourteen days after the 180-day period. For those with visas exceeding 180 days, each stay is capped at 180 days, necessitating registration before the expiry of this period for any extension, which will only be granted under emergency circumstances. Additionally, the new rules modify provisions for children born in India to foreign nationals, exempting registration requirements if either parent is an Indian citizen and the child retains Indian citizenship, though notification is required if the child later acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India. The amendments also update reporting obligations for medical institutions offering lodging.
The centre has notified that foreigners coming to India for 180 days or less must now register themselves before the expiration of their visa if they wish to continue staying.
The new provision will replace the earlier requirement to register within fourteen days after the expiry of 180 days from arrival.
The changes have been made to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, notified by the Union Home Ministry.
"... the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 12, ' (a) in sub-rule (1), ' (i) in the third proviso, for the words "within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days of his arrival in India", the words "any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days" shall be substituted," the notification said.
For Foreigners holding a visa for more than 180 days, the rules say that each stay shall not exceed 180 days.
If they wish to stay beyond this period, they must register anytime before the expiry of 180 days in the country.
The registration will be granted only in emergency circumstances.
the new rules also provide relief for matters related to children born in India where one or both parents are foreign nationals.
Earlier, the provision required parents to electronically inform the registration officer within 30 days of the children's birth in order to access visa related services. Including obtaining a visa or exit permission through the designated online portal or mobile application .
Under the new rules, this will not apply where either parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to keep the Indian citizenship of the child.
However, the notification adds that if the child later obtains citizenship of another country while residing in India, either parent must notify the registration officer within 30 days of the child obtaining the foreign citizenship.
The notification also revises provisions regarding reporting requirements and administrative procedures for hospitals, nursing homes, and medical institutions that provide medical lodging or sleeping facilities on their premises.