India’s new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 officially came into effect on Monday, bringing in tough provisions to regulate the entry, stay, and exit of foreign nationals.

The law prescribes severe punishment for forged passports or visas. Anyone caught using such documents to enter, remain in, or leave India can face up to seven years in prison and fines as high as ₹10 lakh.

The Act also requires hotels, universities, hospitals, and nursing homes to report foreign nationals staying with them, enabling authorities to track overstayers more effectively.

International airlines and shipping companies must now submit detailed passenger and crew manifests, along with advance travel information, to immigration officials.

Supplying a forged travel document carries penalties of two to seven years’ imprisonment and a Rs. 10 lakh fine, while foreigners entering without valid papers may be jailed for up to five years or fined Rs. 5 lakh.

The government has said these stricter measures are aimed at curbing illegal immigration and tightening border security.