New Delhi: The Central Government has introduced significant changes in the rules governing foreign nationals staying in India for long durations. Under the revised provisions, foreign citizens staying in the country for more than 180 days will now be required to register mandatorily with the concerned authorities.
According to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, foreign nationals will have to complete the registration process before the expiry of their permitted stay period. Earlier, the rule allowed registration within 14 days after completing 180 days in India. However, the new framework makes the process stricter and more time-bound.
Under the updated regulations, foreign nationals planning to stay in India beyond 180 days must register with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within the stipulated time. The government has clarified that failure to comply with the requirement will attract action under applicable legal provisions.
Officials said the objective of the revision is to strengthen monitoring of foreign nationals residing in the country and to ensure greater transparency in their stay and movement. The changes also aim to improve coordination with institutions such as hospitals and educational bodies to ensure timely reporting and updated records of foreign nationals.
The Ministry of Home Affairs further stated that digital systems are being enhanced to simplify the registration process and make it more accessible for foreign citizens, reducing procedural difficulties while ensuring compliance.
Experts believe that the move will strengthen both internal security and administrative oversight by enabling more effective tracking of foreign nationals residing in India for extended periods.