Centre amends rules for foreigners seeking stay in India beyond 180 days, mandates early registration
PTC News Desk: The Union Home Ministry has revises provisions under the Immigration and Foreigners rules. The changes require visitors on visas of 180 days or less to complete registration before the expiry of the 180-day period.
According to a notification issued by the ministry, foreigners arriving in India on visas valid for 180 days or less will now have to complete their registration process “any time before the expiry of the said period of 180 days" if they plan to remain in the country beyond the permitted duration.
The revised rule effectively brings forward the registration deadline for certain foreign nationals and is intended to improve monitoring of foreigners staying in India while enhancing immigration oversight mechanisms.
The amendment also applies to foreigners holding visas that are valid for more than 180 days but include a condition restricting each stay in India to a maximum of 180 days.
Under the new provisions, such visa holders who plan to remain in India beyond 180 days—either during a single visit or cumulatively within a calendar year—must complete the registration process before the 180-day period expires. The government has further clarified that requests to stay beyond the prescribed limit will be approved only under “emergent circumstances,” significantly tightening the conditions under which extensions may be granted.
- With inputs from agencies
