India’s immigration shake-up: Foreign visitors to be tracked 24/7 under new bill

India is set to revamp its immigration system with the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, introducing real-time tracking of all foreign visitors. Passed in the Lok Sabha on March 27, the bill aims to bolster national security and curb illegal migration.

“The bill will ensure close monitoring of every foreigner visiting India — who they are, why they are here, and how long they plan to stay. It is absolutely necessary to track these details,” Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated after a three-hour debate.

While reaffirming India’s openness to tourists, students, business professionals, and medical travelers, Shah made it clear that those posing a threat would face strict scrutiny.

“Everyone coming for legitimate purposes is welcome, but those intending harm will be closely monitored and dealt with firmly,” he said.

Key provisions of the bill

• Mandatory reporting by hotels, hospitals, universities, and nursing homes on foreign nationals.
• Real-time records of foreigners' arrival, purpose, and duration of stay.
• Harsher penalties for visa violations, overstaying, and forged documents.

Stricter penalties for violations

• Forged passports or visas: Offenders face 2–7 years in jail and fines up to ₹10 lakh.
• Illegal entry into restricted areas: Punishable by up to 5 years in jail or a ₹5 lakh fine.
Government control over foreigner-frequented locations
The bill grants the central government authority to regulate places frequented by foreigners, allowing it to:
✔ Shut down the premises if necessary for security.
✔ Restrict access based on visitor categories.
✔ Impose conditions on establishments hosting foreign nationals.

Replacing outdated laws

The bill consolidates and replaces four existing laws:
• Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
• Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
• Foreigners Act, 1946
• Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000

By merging these into a single streamlined law, India aims to enhance immigration efficiency and security without addressing citizenship concerns.

Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law, hailed the bill as a crucial modernization step but emphasized the need for balanced enforcement.

“While it strengthens national security, adding appeal mechanisms against immigration decisions could prevent undue hardship on genuine travelers,” he suggested.

Global precedents: How other countries monitor foreigners

India is not alone in tightening immigration control. Several nations already track, restrict, and penalize foreign nationals:

• United States: The State Department's AI-driven "Catch and Revoke" system monitors foreigners’ online activity to detect security threats.
• Australia: Enforces detention policies for non-citizens deemed security risks.
• Gulf Nations: Countries like Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Kuwait frequently deport individuals under national security laws.

With the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, India joins a global trend of strengthening immigration controls while balancing openness and security.