Amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025

Amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025

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Why in News

  • The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has officially notified important changes to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025.
  • These new rules tighten registration timelines for foreign visitors who want to extend their stay in India.
  • They also introduce revised citizenship regulations for children born to mixed parentage.

Key Changes in Registration Norms

  • Foreign visitors arriving on a visa of 180 days or less must apply for a stay extension before their original visa expires.
  • The old rule allowed visitors to register up to 14 days after the 180-day period ended, but that grace period is now removed.
  • Visitors holding multi-entry visas valid for more than 180 days must also register before the 180-day limit finishes if they want to stay longer.
  • Extensions for multi-entry visa holders will now be approved only in true emergencies.

Rules for Children of Mixed Parentage

  • Parents no longer need to follow the strict 30-day electronic intimation rule for a newborn if one parent is an Indian citizen and wants the child to hold Indian citizenship.
  • If a child born in India to mixed parents acquires foreign citizenship at a later date, the parents must inform the registration officer within 30 days.

Medical Compliance and Broader Framework

  • Hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical centers must now follow updated reporting rules when they treat or host foreign nationals.
  • These updates connect with other security tracking updates like the draft Citizenship Rules, 2009 and the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 which introduced electronic Overseas Citizen of India (e-OCI) cards.