New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has notified significant amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, introducing changes to registration requirements for foreign nationals staying in India and clarifying provisions related to children born to foreign parents in the country.
According to a notification published in the Official Gazette on Monday, foreigners entering India on a visa valid for 180 days or less and seeking to extend their stay beyond the permitted period will now be required to register themselves before the expiry of the 180-day period. The amendment replaces the earlier provision, which allowed registration within 14 days after the completion of 180 days from the date of arrival in India.
The revised rule aims to streamline immigration procedures and ensure that foreign nationals intending to remain in India beyond their authorized stay complete the necessary formalities in advance. The notification specifically amends Rule 12 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, substituting the earlier registration timeline with the new requirement.
The changes also affect foreigners holding visas valid for more than 180 days but carrying a condition that each stay shall not exceed 180 days. Such individuals, if they wish to remain in India beyond the prescribed limit either on a single occasion or cumulatively within a calendar year, must now seek registration before the expiry of the 180-day period. The government has further clarified that permissions for such extended stays will be granted only under emergent circumstances, indicating stricter scrutiny of extension requests.
In another important modification, the government has eased compliance requirements for certain children born in India to foreign parents. Previously, parents were required to electronically inform the registration officer within 30 days of a child’s birth in order to access visa-related services, including the issuance of a new visa or exit permit.
Under the amended rules, this requirement will no longer apply if either parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain the child’s Indian citizenship. However, if the child subsequently acquires the citizenship of a foreign country while residing in India, either parent must notify the registration officer within 30 days of that acquisition.
The notification also revises provisions concerning reporting obligations and administrative procedures for hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical institutions that provide accommodation or lodging facilities on their premises. These amendments form part of the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen immigration management, improve regulatory clarity, and enhance compliance under the country’s foreigner registration framework.
