India Introduces New Immigration Bill

Key Points  

• India introduces the Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025 to digitize and streamline immigration processes, enhance foreign investment and support global talent mobility 

2025 India Immigration Legislation  

On 11 March 2025, India introduced the Immigration and Foreigners Bill 2025. This bill aims to align India’s immigration framework with its economic goals, emphasizing ease of doing business, attracting global talent, and streamlining mobility. 

Key Features of India’s Immigration Legislation  

• Digitization: Visa issuance, registration and monitoring processes will be digitized. 
• Unified Framework: Consolidates legacy laws into a single framework. 
• National Immigration Authority (NIA): A new body to manage immigration policy and a centralized digital database. 
• Integrated Immigration Management System (IIMS): This system uses biometric identification and AI-based tools for tracking. 
• New Visa Categories: These include business visa plus, Startup visa, Skilled talent visa, Investor visa, Transit visa and Digital nomad visa. 
• Mandatory Registration: Foreign nationals staying over 180 days must register digitally. 
• Reporting Obligations: Institutions must report details of foreign nationals. 
• Penalties: Introduces stringent penalties for immigration violations. 

This bill will enhance foreign direct investment, support startups, and facilitate cross-border trade and workforce movement.