India tightens visa rules, ends grace period for foreign nationals staying beyond 180 days

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced changes to India's immigration framework, tightening registration requirements for foreign nationals seeking to remain in the country beyond 180 days.

The amendments, notified through a gazette notification under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, modify Rule 12 and replace a long-standing grace period with a stricter pre-expiry registration requirement. The move is aimed at improving the monitoring of foreign nationals residing in India for extended periods and strengthening immigration compliance.

What has changed?

Under the previous system, certain categories of foreign visitors could register with authorities after crossing the 180-day threshold. The amended rules now require registration before the expiry of the initial permitted stay.

For foreign nationals holding visas valid for 180 days or less and seeking an extension, registration must now be completed at any point before the end of the 180-day period. Earlier, such individuals were allowed to register within 14 days after the 180-day period had elapsed.

More from India

The revised provisions also affect visitors holding visas valid for more than 180 days but containing a condition that each stay must not exceed 180 days. Such individuals must now register before completing 180 days of continuous stay or before exceeding the cumulative limit during a calendar year.

Extension approvals to become more restrictive

The MHA has also signalled a tougher approach towards requests for extended stays.

According to the amended framework, approvals for registration or permission to remain beyond the standard 180-day period will no longer be treated as routine administrative matters. Instead, such permissions will be granted only in emergent circumstances, substantially narrowing the scope for discretionary extensions.

The change is expected to increase compliance requirements for foreign visitors and encourage earlier engagement with immigration authorities.

Alongside the stricter registration norms, the government has introduced a measure aimed at easing administrative burdens for families where one parent is an Indian citizen and the other is a foreign national.

Previously, parents were required to electronically report the birth of a child born in India within 30 days if one or both parents were foreign nationals. The reporting requirement was linked to the child's visa and exit permit processes.

Under the revised rules, this mandatory reporting obligation will no longer apply where one parent is an Indian citizen and intends to retain the child's Indian citizenship under the provisions of the Citizenship Act.

Foreign citizenship must still be reported

The exemption, however, is not absolute.

The amended rules specify that if such a child subsequently acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India, either parent must notify the relevant registration officer within 30 days of the child obtaining a foreign passport.

This provision is intended to ensure that authorities remain informed of any subsequent changes to the individual's citizenship status.

New compliance requirements for hospitals

The latest amendments also extend beyond individual travellers to institutions that accommodate foreign nationals.

Hospitals, nursing homes and other medical establishments providing long-term lodging, treatment or sleeping facilities to foreign nationals will be required to comply with updated reporting obligations. The government says the revised requirements are intended to ensure timely sharing of information with immigration authorities and improve tracking mechanisms.

What foreign visitors should do

Foreign nationals currently residing in India on short-term visas and intending to remain beyond 180 days are advised to review their visa conditions and arrival dates carefully.

Authorities have urged eligible visitors to complete registration through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office's e-FRRO portal well before reaching the 180-day threshold. Failure to comply could result in legal consequences, including penalties, difficulties in obtaining visa extensions or, in some cases, deportation proceedings.