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.
