Why is a new foreigner bill coming?

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to introduce the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 in the second half of the Budget session.

• The Bill repeals all four existing legislations dealing with immigration and the movement of foreigners.

• The Bill consists of six chapters, defining the functions of the Immigration Officer, passport and visa requirements, and matters relating to foreigners and their registration.

• It also outlines provisions relating to foreigners whose movements are restricted, the power of civil authority to control places frequented by foreigners, and the liability of carriers and their obligations.

• The Bill introduces the clause “threat to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India and relations with a foreign State” as a grounds to refuse the entry or stay of a foreigner in the country.

• The proposed law states that no foreigner shall be allowed to enter India if he is found inadmissible to do so on account of threat to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, relations with a foreign State or public health or on such other grounds as the Central Government may specify.

• The penalty for entering India without a passport or travel document in the proposed legislation is imprisonment for five years or a fine up to ₹5 lakh or both.

• Using or supplying forged or fraudulently obtained passports or other travel documents or visas shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than two years, but may extend to seven years, and a fine of not less than ₹1 lakh but which may extend to ₹10 lakh.

• Overstaying beyond the visa limit shall be punishable by three years and a fine up to ₹3 lakh.

• The Bill does not use the term ‘detention centres’. Foreigners are required to reside at a place set apart for the residence under supervision.

• The MHA has asked States to constitute two committees to identify foreigners who entered India pre- and post-January 1, 2011, and have stayed on beyond the visa period.