New immigration rule for foreign visitors to India. Foreigners entering India on a Visa for a stay of 180 days or less can now register themselves at any time before the expiry of 180 days in case they want to extend their stay in India beyond the validity of their Visa.
Foreigners entering India on a visa shall register themselves “any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days” in case they intend to stay in India beyond the period of their visa, as per a new provision introduced in the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, notified by the Union Home Ministry on Monday (June 1, 2026).
“… the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 12, ‘ (a) in sub-rule (1), ‘ (i) in the third proviso, for the words “within fourteen days after the expiry of one hundred and eighty days of his arrival in India”, the words “any time before the expiry of the said period of one hundred and eighty days” shall be substituted,” the notification published in the gazette said.
Foreigners entering into India on a visa greater than 180 days but each stay being capped at 180 days shall be required to register with Foreigners Division “anytime before the expiry of 180 days” if he/she intends to stay in India on a single occasion or in the aggregate in a calendar year beyond the said period of 180 days. Such registration shall be granted only in emergent circumstances.
Registration shall be granted only in emergent circumstances.
Children born to parents where either or both of them are foreigners will get some relief with the new rules.
Parents of children born in India where either or both parents were foreigners would earlier have to electronically intimate the registration officer within 30 days of the child’s birth for availing of various visa services including grant of new visa and exit permission on designated online portal or mobile application.
This sub-rule shall not apply in cases where either of the parents is an Indian citizen and such parent intends to hold Indian citizenship by the child.
Children born to foreign parents either or both of whom are in India on a valid foreign passport shall continue to be treated at par with children born to parents who are Indian citizens. Children of either foreign parent who is an Indian citizen and wishes to hold Indian citizenship of such child shall not be required to comply with the sub-rule aforementioned for availing of visa and other services and facilities on the designated online portal or through the mobile application by intimating the registration officer in electronic form within thirty days from the date of birth of such child.
A separate notification has also been issued to amend the provisions relating to reporting and administrative procedures to be observed by every hospital, nursing home or other medical institution or establishment whether temporary or permanent providing medical or lodging or sleeping facilities in the said premises within the Foreigners Division.