India is actively working on changes to its legislation in 2025. Learn about the key changes to India's migration policy in 2025: a new Immigration and Foreigners Act, stricter registration and reporting requirements, a digital governance system, and tougher penalties for violations

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From September 1, 2025, the new Immigration and Foreigners Act came into force in India, which completely reformed the legal framework in the field of migration. It merged four outdated statutes, introduced stricter penalties for violations, strengthened reporting and monitoring requirements, and introduced new digital tools for managing immigration processes.

Read about the main changes in India's migration policy in 2025 in this article.

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Major changes and key provisions of Indian migration legislation

1. Restructuring of legislation

The new act replaced four laws at once:

- Passports (Entry into India) Act, 1920;

- Foreigners Registration Act, 1939;

- Foreigners Act, 1946;

- Immigration (Carriers' Liability) Act, 2000.

This simplified the system of regulating the entry, stay and exit of foreigners, making it more modern and efficient.

2. Stricter requirements for registration and reporting

Foreign nationals must register with the relevant office within 14 days of arrival.

Universities, schools and educational institutions are required to notify the authorities of the enrollment of foreign students within 24 hours.

Medical facilities must report the admission, discharge, birth or death of foreigners.

Hotels and other accommodation providers must collect and store foreign guest data in electronic format.

3. Enhanced employer checks

Government officials can now visit company offices to audit and verify the documents of foreign workers.

4. Tougher penalties for violations

- Using or providing forged passports or visas: 2-7 years imprisonment and a fine of 100,000 to 1,000,000 rupiah.

- Illegal entry: up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of up to 500,000 rupiah.

5. New obligations for carriers

Airlines and shipping companies must submit passenger and crew manifests to immigration authorities in advance.

6. Biometrics and Digital Governance

The new law allows for biometrics of foreign nationals to be recorded upon arrival or at designated points of stay. In addition, an integrated digital immigration management system is being implemented, which will replace the old FRRO/FRO system and provide real-time monitoring at borders and registration offices.

Impact of India’s immigration reform on foreigners and institutions

- Foreign nationals (tourists, students, business travelers) must strictly adhere to visa regulations and have genuine documents.

- Employers are responsible for timely registration of employees and accurate records.

- Educational, medical and hotel institutions must adhere to mandatory reporting to avoid penalties.

- Carriers must comply with new passenger data submission requirements.

Quick tips for travelers traveling to India

- Check your documents before traveling.

- Follow the visa conditions.

- Report any status or data changes immediately.

- Stay up-to-date with immigration policy updates.

Why is India’s new immigration policy important?

The changes to the law make India’s immigration system more transparent and controllable, while also improving the country’s security. For travelers and foreign workers, this means strict compliance with the rules, and for institutions, meticulous reporting and document management.

The government is expected to release more details on the practical implementation of the rules in the coming months, including the registration process and the technical aspects of the digital system.

The new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 is a strategic move by India to tighten control over migration processes, which will affect both businesses and travelers.

The new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 in India significantly changes the rules for foreigners, employers, and institutions. To avoid fines and ensure full compliance with the new requirements, it is worth contacting professional migration specialists. Experts will help you correctly draw up documents, organize registration and prepare your business for inspections.

Reminder! Travel to India is becoming more comfortable thanks to the new state program for trusted travelers. We have already talked about the FTI-TTP accelerated immigration: how to register, who can participate, what documents are needed and how to pass control at the airport quickly and without queues.