New Delhi, Sept 2: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new directives under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, introducing stricter entry, stay, and deportation rules for foreigners in India. The move aims to enhance national security, regulate immigration, and ensure better compliance with laws governing foreign nationals.
According to the new order, foreigners may be denied entry or stay in India if convicted of serious crimes such as terrorism, espionage, rape, murder, human trafficking, cybercrime, drug smuggling, or membership of a banned organisation. Offences related to fake travel documents, money laundering, hawala transactions, child abuse, and racketeering will also bar entry.
The MHA clarified that India will maintain a strict zero-tolerance approach toward individuals involved in anti-national or subversive activities. The Bureau of Immigration has been tasked with maintaining and updating a database of such individuals, prohibiting their entry.
Every state and Union Territory has been directed to set up dedicated detention or holding centres for illegal immigrants until they are deported. The centres will restrict movement of foreign nationals found staying without valid documents. The Coast Guard and border security forces have also been instructed to capture biometric and demographic details of illegal entrants before
The order makes it mandatory for every foreigner applying for a visa or Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) registration to provide biometric details before approval. This includes fingerprints, facial scans, and other data, which will be stored on a central government portal.
Foreigners seeking employment in India cannot work in sensitive sectors such as power supply, petroleum, or water distribution without explicit approval from civil authorities.
The new rules also tighten regulations on media and mountaineering expeditions. Foreigners wishing to shoot feature films, documentaries, web series, or reality shows in India must obtain written permission from the central government. Similarly, mountaineering on Indian peaks requires prior clearance, specified routes, the presence of liaison officers, and restricted use of communication equipment.
Foreigners must secure special permits to enter protected or restricted regions, including Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Nationals of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan will not be allowed entry into these sensitive areas.
The MHA has also listed conditions under which foreigners may be refused permission to leave India. These include pending court cases, risks to public health, potential harm to diplomatic relations, or orders from law enforcement agencies. The Bureau of Immigration will maintain an updated list of individuals barred from departure.
Officials stated that the new rules reflect India’s growing focus on national security amid rising concerns over illegal immigration, terrorism, and trafficking networks. By tightening regulations and mandating biometrics, authorities aim to strengthen monitoring and ensure compliance with international best practices. (Agencies)
