India Tightens Visa Rules, Ends 14-Day Grace Period for Foreign Nationals
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New Delhi: India has tightened immigration restrictions, requiring foreign nationals who wish to stay in the country for more than 180 days to complete their registration before the 180-day limit expires, thereby eliminating the previous 14-day grace period that allowed registration after the deadline. The modifications were announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) via adjustments to the Immigration and Foreigners Rules of 2025.
Previously, tourists with visas valid for 180 days or less might register within 14 days of completing six months in India if they wanted to stay longer. The amended criteria now demand them to start the registration process before reaching the 180th day mark.
The amended rules also apply to foreign nationals whose visas are valid for longer than 180 days, as long as their stays in India are not longer than 180 days. They must also register before the limit is reached if they want to stay in the country longer than permitted.
By declaring that visits longer than 180 days will only be allowed in exceptional cases, the government has tightened the criteria significantly, indicating a more stringent attitude to long-term extensions. However, the notification does not specify an emergency.
The modifications also benefit certain children born in India to mixed-nationality parents. Parents who are Indian nationals and wish to keep their child's Indian citizenship would no longer be required to complete certain visa-related reporting processes. However, authorities must be notified if the child eventually obtains foreign citizenship while living in India.
The amended laws, which came into effect on June 1, are part of the government's greater efforts to improve monitoring, registration, and compliance measures for foreign nationals staying in India.
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