India Passes Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025 to Strengthen Border Security and Control

On March 27, 2025, the Lok Sabha passed the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, aiming to modernize and overhaul India’s immigration system. The Bill addresses major concerns related to illegal immigration, the hawala trade, infiltration of arms, and drug cartels, which have been pressing issues for India’s security agencies.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during the discussion on the Bill, emphasized the need for tighter border control, stating, “This country is not a Dharmashala (shelter home) where anyone can come and reside here.”

While India has had laws in place to monitor the entry of foreigners since its independence, these laws were rooted in colonial-era regulations. The new Bill repeals four outdated laws—Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, Foreigners Act, 1946, and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000—which were enacted during exceptional circumstances such as the World Wars and had overlapping provisions. The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 consolidates these into a modern and cohesive legal framework.

Key provisions of the Bill include:

1. Stricter Entry Regulations: All individuals entering or exiting India must possess valid travel documents—such as a passport and, for foreigners, a visa or other prescribed documents. Immigration officers will have authority to inspect these documents for compliance.

2. Carrier Responsibilities: Airlines, shipping companies, and other carriers will be required to submit details of crew members and passengers to authorities in advance. Carriers transporting undocumented individuals could face fines up to Rs 5 lakh and potential seizure of their transport.

3. Categorization of Foreigners: The Bill classifies foreigners into six categories: tourists, students, skilled workers, business visitors, refugees and asylum seekers, and illegal immigrants. Each category will have distinct visa requirements and conditions for stay, making it easier for authorities to regulate foreign nationals.

4. Enhanced Security Measures: Every foreign national entering India will be systematically recorded to ensure real-time data on their visit’s purpose and duration. This data will improve surveillance and help deport illegal immigrants more efficiently.

5. Penalties for Violations: The Bill imposes strict penalties for those entering or staying in India with forged documents. Violators could face imprisonment for up to seven years and fines of up to Rs 10 lakh. Educational institutions and employers failing to report foreign students or workers will also be penalized.

6. Legal Validity for Blacklists: The Bill gives statutory support to intelligence agencies’ blacklists, ensuring that individuals on the list are denied entry into India.

Experts believe the Bill marks a significant shift towards modernizing India’s immigration policies and improving national security. The new framework is expected to address current gaps in the system, making it more streamlined and effective in dealing with illegal immigration and related security concerns.