Recently PM Modi has stated that India will do the right thing when it comes to immigration and the government has started taking serious steps to prevent illegal immigration. According to a 2025 bill that will soon be introduced in the Lok Sabha, any foreigner who enters India without a valid passport or visa could get a jail term of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh.Â
In case entry and stay in or exit from India by a foreigner is with a forged passport or travel document, the imprisonment will not be less than two years but may extend to seven years, and the fine, of Rs 1 lakh, can go up to Rs 10 lakh.
A New Bill For Foreigners Entering Illegally
The new bill 2025 that will soon be introduced in the Lok Sabha will consolidate four acts with overlapping provisions on the related subjects of immigration and foreigners, and consolidate them into a single, comprehensive legislation. The four Acts are Foreigners Act, 1946; Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability), 2000.
The maximum penalty for a foreigner entering India without a valid passport or a travel document will be facing five years in jail and a fine. For those entering with a forged passport, they will be sentenced to 8 years of jail and a fine amount of Rs 50,000. With the newly introduced bill, the punishment and the penalty are getting rigorous for the people to strictly follow the rules.
New Rules and Regulations
The bill also seeks to make all higher educational institutions and universities liable to share information on any foreigner admitted, with the registration officer specified for such category of foreigners. This provision will also apply to all hospitals, nursing homes, and other medical institutions with lodging facilities on their premises.
This bill also states that any Foreigner overstaying his/her visa violating the conditions of the Visa or accessing a prohibited or restricted area will be punished with up to 3 years in jail and will face a fine amount of about Rs 3 lakhs, or both.
The bill further proposes to hold a carrier responsible for ferrying a foreigner found by the immigration officer here as not having a valid passport or travel document/visa. The immigration officer can impose a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh on the carrier, though not without hearing its version. If the penalty is not paid, it may be recovered by seizing or detaining the carrier which may be an aircraft, ship, or any other mode of transport.
This proposed legislation also mandates taking photographs and biometrics be taken and the central government has full powers to restrict the entry of Foreigner, to not depart from India, not enter a specified area, and exit from India at his own cost
Currently, matters relating to foreigners and immigration are administered through the Foreigners Act 1946 and the immigration act 2000. The Foreigner’s Act of 1946 was enacted to confer upon the central government certain powers in respect of foreigners
- Major Shaitan Singh’s Winning Heroics at the Battle of Rezang La Won Him a Permanent Seat of Respect
India has produced countless Bravehearts who have stood steadfast in… Read more: Major Shaitan Singh’s Winning Heroics at the Battle of Rezang La Won Him a Permanent Seat of Respect - First ‘World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit’ (WAVES) to be in MumbaiÂ
A milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector-… Read more: First ‘World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit’ (WAVES) to be in Mumbai - Tata Harrier Maneuvering as Cutting-edge Electric VehicleÂ
The Tata Harrier EV represents a significant step in Tata… Read more: Tata Harrier Maneuvering as Cutting-edge Electric Vehicle - PM Modi made 140 Crore Indians Proud by Receiving Highest Foreign Honors
During the national celebrations, President of the Republic of Mauritius… Read more: PM Modi made 140 Crore Indians Proud by Receiving Highest Foreign Honors - 70% of Prisoners in India are Under trials, can’t Afford Bail
Imprisonment remains one of the harshest punishments an individual can… Read more: 70% of Prisoners in India are Under trials, can’t Afford Bail - Bollywood Actors Who Rejected Hollywood Movies
The stars of Bollywood are not just in demand across… Read more: Bollywood Actors Who Rejected Hollywood Movies
With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
Comments