New Delhi, June 2: The Central Government has revised India’s immigration framework by making it mandatory for foreign nationals intending to stay in the country beyond 180 days to complete registration before reaching the 180-day limit, introducing significant changes to compliance requirements under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025.
The amendment changes the existing procedure under which eligible foreign nationals were required to register within 14 days after completing 180 days of stay in India. Under the revised provisions, registration must now be completed at any point before the expiry of the 180-day period if a foreign national intends to remain in the country beyond the permitted duration.
The changes apply to foreigners entering India on visas valid for 180 days or less who plan to extend their stay. The revised framework also covers foreign nationals holding visas valid for more than 180 days but carrying conditions that restrict each individual stay to a specified period. Such visitors must now complete registration before crossing the prescribed 180-day threshold.
The amendments were notified through revisions to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen immigration administration and improve compliance monitoring.
According to the revised provisions, registration beyond the permitted period will now be allowed only in emergent circumstances. The move places greater responsibility on foreign nationals to complete registration requirements in advance rather than after exceeding the stay threshold.
The government has also introduced changes concerning children born in India to parents where one or both are foreign nationals. Earlier regulations required parents to electronically notify registration authorities within 30 days of a child’s birth to access visa-related services, including obtaining visas or exit permits.
Under the amended rules, this notification requirement will no longer apply in 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 another country while residing in India, either parent must inform the registration officer within 30 days of the change in citizenship status.
The revised framework additionally incorporates modifications to reporting obligations and administrative procedures applicable to hospitals, nursing homes and other medical institutions that provide lodging or accommodation facilities to foreign nationals.
Officials indicated that the amendments are intended to streamline immigration compliance and strengthen monitoring mechanisms relating to foreign visitors residing in India for extended periods. The changes are expected to impact foreign professionals, students, business visitors and long-term visa holders who frequently remain in the country for durations approaching or exceeding six months.
The revised regulations come as India continues to modernise its immigration and foreigner management systems through updated legal and administrative measures. Foreign nationals planning long-term stays will now be required to ensure timely registration before crossing the 180-day limit to remain compliant with the updated rules.
