Immigration Bill likely to be introduced in Parliament today, India aims to prevent illegal entry

NEW DELHI: Foreign nationals entering India without a passport or visa could face up to five years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh under the Immigration & Foreigners Bill 2025. If entry is based on forged documents, the punishment could be increased to seven years in prison and a Rs 10 lakh fine. The bill aims to tighten immigration laws and is expected to be introduced in Parliament today by Union Minister Amit Shah.

Currently, foreign nationals who enter India without valid documents or using forged passports can face a maximum imprisonment of five years and a fine ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000.

Supporting the strict measures taken by former U.S. President Donald Trump, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently reiterated the stance that India is firmly against unauthorized immigration. The primary objective of the bill is to prevent illegal immigration, including from Bangladesh.

Stricter regulations will apply to foreign nationals' travel. Foreigners must undergo biometric registration, and those caught without valid documents will have to leave the country at their own expense.

Higher education institutions will be required to mandatorily share details of foreign students with the designated registration office. This rule will also apply to hospitals and homestays providing services to foreign nationals. Airlines and ships must submit information about foreign travellers in advance to authorities. If an immigration officer denies entry, the traveller must be immediately sent back. Additionally, foreign tourists will not be allowed to enter restricted areas.

Visa expiry

• If foreign nationals stay beyond their visa period, violate visa conditions, or enter restricted areas, they may face imprisonment for up to three years, a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh, or both.
• Additionally, transporting foreign nationals without valid documents in vehicles can result in a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh (currently Rs 1 lakh). If the fine is not paid, the vehicle may be seized, impounded, or even sold to recover the penalty.