Important Facts For Prelims
Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
- 05 Sep 2025
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 came into effect on 1st September 2025, consolidating India’s immigration laws, imposing stricter penalties for forged documents, and strengthening reporting and monitoring of foreigners.
- It repeals four outdated laws: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.
What are the Key Provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025?
- Tougher Penalties for Forged Travel Documents: 2–7 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1–10 lakh for using or supplying forged passports, visas, or other travel documents.
- Up to 5 years imprisonment or Rs 5 lakh fine for foreigners entering restricted areas without valid authorization.
- Mandatory Reporting of Foreigners’ Details: Hotels, universities, educational institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes must report information about foreign nationals staying or visiting.
- International airlines and shipping companies are required to share advance passenger and crew data before arrival.
- Government Control Over Premises: Central government empowered to regulate or shut down premises frequently visited by foreigners if deemed necessary for security reasons.
- Bureau of Immigration: It grants statutory backing to the Bureau of Immigration (established in 1971 under the Intelligence Bureau) to identify, detain, and deport illegal foreigners.
Did You Know?
- US: Launched “Catch and Revoke” using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to identify and revoke visas of individuals linked to terrorist groups.
- Australia: Allows detention of non-citizens considered a security risk but prohibits indefinite detention of stateless persons unless deportation is possible.
- Gulf Countries: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait have deported thousands of migrant workers on security grounds, often with limited avenues of appeal.
