India has introduced significant changes to its immigration framework, tightening registration requirements for foreign nationals who wish to remain in the country beyond 180 days. The revised rules, notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs, aim to strengthen immigration compliance and improve monitoring of long-term foreign residents.
Under the amended regulations, foreign nationals seeking to stay in India beyond 180 days must complete registration before their permitted stay expires. Previously, some visitors were allowed a 14-day grace period after crossing the 180-day threshold to complete registration formalities.
The new provisions also apply to visa holders whose visas are valid for more than 180 days but restrict each stay to a maximum of 180 days. Such visitors must now register before exceeding either the continuous stay limit or the cumulative stay limit prescribed under their visa conditions.
The government has also adopted a stricter approach toward extension requests. Registration approvals and permissions for extended stays will no longer be treated as routine administrative procedures and will be granted only in exceptional or emergent circumstances.
In a separate relief measure, the revised rules remove the requirement for parents to report the birth of a child in India when one parent is an Indian citizen and intends to retain the child’s Indian citizenship. However, authorities must still be informed if the child later acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India.
The amendments also introduce updated reporting obligations for hospitals, nursing homes, and medical establishments that provide accommodation or long-term treatment to foreign nationals. Foreign visitors intending to remain in India beyond 180 days are advised to complete registration through the e-FRRO system well before the deadline to avoid penalties or immigration complications.