New Delhi, June 2: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced significant amendments to immigration and foreigners’ regulations. According to the new rules, foreigners arriving in India on a visa valid for up to 180 days must register before their visa expires if they wish to extend their stay. These amendments, notified through a gazette on June 1, are effective immediately.
Under the ‘Immigration and Foreigners Rules-2026’, the registration process for foreigners has undergone major changes. This includes provisions related to children of Indian parents, emergency registration cases, and the appeals mechanism.
Foreigners can now register at any time before completing 180 days in India. Previously, registration was mandatory within 14 days after the 180-day period ended. After this period, registration will only be accepted in emergency situations.
The notification specifies that delayed registration after the stipulated period will only be permitted under extraordinary circumstances. This registration will be granted solely in emergencies.
Additionally, the MHA has introduced exemptions for children who may claim both Indian and foreign citizenship. Under the revised rules, registration is not required if one parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to maintain the child’s Indian citizenship under Section 3 of the Citizenship Act-1955.
The notification also states that if a child acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India, one of the parents must inform the registration officer of this status within 30 days of the child’s acquisition of foreign citizenship.
In another amendment, the government has corrected a provision related to the reporting deadline under Rule 18. The phrase “but more than 24 hours” has been changed to “but not more than twenty-four hours.”
This amendment also revamps the appeals process for dissatisfied owners or guardians regarding directives issued by civil authorities under the ‘Immigration and Foreigners Rules-2025’. Appeals must now be filed within 30 days through a designated online portal to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration. According to the revised rules, the Commissioner will issue a reasoned order after providing a fair hearing and will aim to complete the proceedings within sixty days from the date of the appeal.
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