India immigration rules changed: What foreigners need to know about new 180-day rule

New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, introducing significant changes to the registration requirements for foreign nationals seeking to stay in India beyond the duration permitted under their visas.

Under the revised rules notified on Monday, foreigners arriving in India on visas valid for 180 days or less will now be required to register themselves before the completion of the 180-day period if they intend to remain in the country beyond the authorised duration.

The amendment replaces an earlier provision that allowed registration within 14 days after completing 180 days from the date of arrival in India.

New timeline for registration

According to the notification published in the official gazette, the wording in Rule 12 has been revised.

The amendment states that in the third proviso of sub-rule (1), the phrase "within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days of his arrival in India" has been replaced with the words "any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days".

The change means that eligible foreign nationals must now complete the registration process before the 180-day period ends rather than after crossing that threshold.

Restrictions on extended stay beyond 180 days

The revised rules also address foreigners holding visas valid for more than 180 days but carrying a condition that each individual stay must not exceed 180 days.

Such foreign nationals who wish to remain in India beyond 180 days on a single visit, or whose total stay in a calendar year may exceed that limit, will also be required to register before the expiry of the 180-day period.

The notification further clarifies that approval for such registrations will be granted only in emergent circumstances.

Relief for certain children born in India

The amendments include changes affecting children born in India to parents where either one or both are foreign nationals.

Previously, parents were required to electronically inform the registration officer within 30 days of the child's birth through the designated online portal or mobile application. This was necessary to access visa-related services, including obtaining a new visa and securing exit permission.

Under the revised rules, this requirement will no longer apply in cases where either parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain the child's Indian citizenship.

Foreign citizenship must be reported later

The notification, however, makes it clear that if such a child later acquires the citizenship of a foreign country while residing in India, the authorities must be informed.

In such cases, either parent will be required to notify the registration officer within 30 days of the child obtaining foreign citizenship.

Changes also affect medical institutions

Apart from visa and registration provisions, the notification has also introduced revisions to reporting obligations and administrative procedures applicable to hospitals, nursing homes and other medical institutions that provide accommodation, lodging or sleeping facilities on their premises.

The updated rules form part of the government's continuing efforts to streamline immigration procedures, strengthen compliance requirements and clarify the responsibilities of foreign nationals and institutions operating under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025.

Agency inputs