Foreigners Seeking Extended Stay Must Register Before 180 Days

 

Foreign nationals who wish to stay in India beyond 180 days must now complete their registration before the end of the 180-day period. Earlier, eligible foreigners were allowed to register within 14 days after completing 180 days in India. Under the amended Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, the government has advanced the registration deadline to improve monitoring of foreign nationals residing in the country.

 

Any foreign national who enters any part of India without a valid passport, visa, or other required travel documents, in violation of the provisions of this Act, may face imprisonment of up to five years, a fine of up to ₹5 lakh, or both.

 

 

The new rule also applies to visa holders whose visas are valid for more than 180 days but include a condition that each stay in India cannot exceed 180 days. If such individuals plan to remain in India beyond this limit, either on a single visit or cumulatively during a calendar year, they must register before the 180-day period ends. The government has stated that permission for stays beyond the prescribed limit will be granted only in emergency situations.

 

 

The revised rules also provide relief for children born in India to foreign nationals. Earlier, parents were required to inform registration authorities within 30 days of the child's birth through an online portal to access visa-related services. Under the new rules, this requirement will not apply if one parent is an Indian citizen and wishes the child to retain Indian citizenship. However, if the child later acquires foreign citizenship while living in India, either parent must inform the registration officer within 30 days of the change in citizenship status.

 

 

 

The notification also updates reporting and compliance requirements for hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical institutions that provide both treatment and accommodation facilities. While the responsibilities of these institutions remain largely unchanged, the revised rules introduce updated administrative and reporting procedures.