Foreigners seeking to extend their stay in India beyond their permitted visa period will now have to register earlier under revised Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 notified by the Union Home Ministry. The changes require visitors on visas of 180 days or less to complete registration before the expiry of the 180-day period.
Under the previous framework, eligible foreign nationals could complete registration within 14 days after 180 days from their arrival in India.
According to the notification issued on Monday, Rule 12 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025 has been amended by replacing the phrase requiring registration “within 14 days after the expiry of 180 of his arrival in India” with a new requirement mandating registration “any time before the expiry of the said period of 180 days.”
The change effectively advances the registration deadline and is aimed at strengthening oversight of foreign nationals residing in India while streamlining immigration monitoring procedures.
The amendment also affects foreigners holding visas valid for more than 180 days but carrying a condition that each individual stay in India shall not exceed 180 days.
Such visa holders who intend to remain in India beyond the 180-day limit on any single occasion or cumulatively during a calendar year will now have to complete registration before the expiry of the 180-day period.
The government has also clarified that permission for such extended stays will be granted only in “emergent circumstances,” narrowing the scope for approvals beyond the prescribed duration.
RELIEF FOR CHILDREN BORN TO FOREIGN NATIONALS
In another important change, the revised rules provide relief in cases involving children born in India to parents where either one or both parents are foreign nationals.
Earlier provisions required parents to electronically inform the registration officer within 30 days of the child’s birth through the designated online portal or mobile application in order to access visa-related services, including issuance of a new visa or exit permit.
The new notification exempts cases in which one of the parents is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain Indian citizenship for the child.
In such situations, the mandatory reporting requirement following birth will no longer apply.
However, the government has stipulated that if the child subsequently acquires the citizenship of a foreign country while residing in India, either parent must inform the registration officer within 30 days of the child acquiring foreign citizenship.
HOSPITAL REPORTING RULES REVISED
The notification also introduces revisions to reporting requirements and administrative procedures applicable to hospitals, nursing homes and other medical institutions that provide medical treatment along with lodging or sleeping facilities within their premises.
While the notification does not substantially alter the role of such institutions, it updates compliance and reporting obligations under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules framework.
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Published By:
Karishma Saurabh Kalita
Published On:
Jun 2, 2026 09:45 IST
