How will the new immigration bill stop illegal entry into India? Know what is special in the law

New Delhi. The Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 has been passed in the Lok Sabha. The purpose of this new law is to control the entry, stay and departure of foreigners in India. During the discussion on the bill, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made it clear in the Lok Sabha that the government welcomes those coming to India for tourism, education, healthcare and business purposes, but he also stressed that the country is not a Dharamshala.

This new law repeals the Passport (Entry into India) Act 1920, the Registration of Foreigners Act of 1939, the Foreigners Act of 1946, and the Immigration Act of the year 2000. The new Act aims to simplify procedures, ensure national security and implement strong immigration controls to prevent illegal entry into India.

Highlights of the bill
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A key feature of this bill is that it classifies foreigners into six different categories, thereby clearly defining their rights and responsibilities.

Penalty provisions: The new Act provides for strict penalties for illegal entry, use of forged documents, or violation of visa conditions. It aims to prevent illegal immigration and strengthen national security.

Protection of refugees: The bill includes better protection measures for refugees, so that they can get legal recognition and assistance. It is in line with international standards and reflects India’s humanitarian commitments.

Simplification of visa procedures: According to the new law, visa procedures have been simplified for genuine travelers, students and professionals, making the process of entry and residence in India more smooth.

Efforts to prevent illegal migration and strengthen the security of the country
Overall, the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 aims to streamline the processes related to immigration in India, prevent illegal migration, and strengthen national security, while also ensuring the protection of the rights of genuine visitors and refugees.

The new Act will come into force after it is notified by the Central Government in the official gazette. It will replace these old immigration laws to simplify the processes and ensure national security.

Strict aspects of this bill
According to this new law, if there is any change in the information given to the government by a person from outside, then foreigners will have to inform the FRRO, especially in the case of change of address, employment status or university, it has to be informed in advance. Failure to report such changes can lead to fines or deportation.

Also, the new bill also makes it clear that tourists and students cannot engage in employment or business activities. Apart from this, business visa holders cannot do salaried jobs in India. If a visa holder violates any Indian law by engaging in criminal activities or fraud, the visa can be cancelled. Visas can also be revoked if the visa has been obtained using fake documents, or the person is found to be a threat to national security or the person overstays the permitted period.

Illegal immigrants, refugees and penalties
According to this bill, any person who enters India without valid documents or overstays his visa will be considered an illegal immigrant. Through the new law, authorities have been empowered to detain, deport or blacklist illegal immigrants. Apart from these, the penalties for overstaying the visa have been increased and there is now a special provision for individuals who claim asylum due to persecution in their country.

It imposes strict but reasonable penalties depending on the severity of the violation. In case of minor violations, the maximum punishment will be that the person will be banned from re-entering India for five years. Others may include warnings and fines. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Repeat offenders will be dealt with harsher and longer bans.

Deportees attempting to re-enter illegally will face up to 10 years in prison and a lifetime ban. Major violations, particularly those involving fraud, serious crimes and criminal activity linked to terrorism, will result in deportation, imprisonment and permanent blacklisting.