10/09/2025
Polity by Saurabh Kumar:
Context: New Foreigner Act 2025 has been notified which replaces : Passport act, Foreigner act, Immigration act, and registration of foreigner act.
Why this law was brought?
Answer:
1. The earlier laws were pre independence law, which were complicated and fragmented.
2. Even exemptions granted to refugees from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet were overlapping because of diferent orders.
3. The power of central or state government were also not uniform throughout the country. In certain restricted areas, centre had the power to regulate and in some restricted areas, state had such power.
Immigration and Foreigner act 2025:
1. Only central government have the power to declare the entry and exit point through which foreigners can enter and exit.
2. Officers who will be posted at these entry points will be final authority to decide or refuse the entry of foreigners.
3. There will be the network of Foreigners regional registration officers who will be assisted by SP/DSP at local level.
4. Mandatory obligation on hotels, hostels, religious institution, hospitals, universities to report os the stay of foreigners.
5. It empowers police officers not below the rank of a Head Constable to arrest without warrant.
6. Special permit is required to move into restricted areas which will be done through online portal or mobile apps.
Citizens of Nepal, and Bhutan are exempted and they can enter via designated land or air borders. Same is with Tibetan refugees they can also enter into India if they have registartion certificate.