Government Notifies Changes to Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025

Foreigners on visa valid upto 180 days now cannot extend their stay unless they register for extension before the expiry of the visa. Earlier, extension was considered for foreigners overstaying in India provided registration was done within 14 days of expiry of such visa.

By Mahima Katal

The Union Home Ministry has notified amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, introducing changes to the registration requirements for foreign nationals staying in India.

Under the revised rules, foreigners entering India on a visa valid for 180 days or less and intending to stay beyond that period must now register themselves at any time before the expiry of the 180-day period. Earlier, such registration was required within 14 days after completing 180 days of stay in India.

The amendment, notified on Monday, substitutes the earlier provision in Rule 12, which mandated registration “within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days of arrival in India,” with a requirement to register “any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days.”

The revised rules also apply to foreign nationals holding visas valid for more than 180 days but carrying a condition that each stay shall not exceed 180 days. Those wishing to remain in India beyond the prescribed limit on a single occasion or in aggregate during a calendar year must now seek registration before the completion of 180 days. The notification further clarifies that such extensions will be granted only in emergent circumstances.

The amendments also provide relief in cases involving children born in India to foreign parents. Previously, parents were required to electronically inform the registration officer within 30 days of the child’s birth to avail visa-related services, including issuance of a new visa or exit permit through the designated online portal or mobile application.

The new provision exempts cases where either parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain Indian citizenship for the child. However, if the child subsequently acquires the citizenship of a foreign country while in India, either parent must inform the registration officer within 30 days of the acquisition of foreign citizenship.

Additionally, the notification revises reporting requirements and administrative procedures applicable to hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical institutions that provide medical, lodging, or sleeping facilities on their premises.