MHA revises foreigner registration rules, mandates registration before 180-day deadline

Foreign nationals coming to India will now have to complete their registration before the expiry of 180 days from their arrival in the country if they wish to extend their stay, according to an official Gazette notification issued by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) on Monday.Taking a stricter approach to delayed registrations, the notification states that registration after the prescribed period will be permitted only under emergent circumstances. The new provision replaces the earlier rule that allowed registration within 14 days after the expiry of the 180-day period from arrival in India.The MHA notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026, under Section 30 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The amended rules came into force with immediate effect and revise registration timelines, emergency provisions, reporting requirements and the appeals mechanism.Clarifying provisions relating to children and citizenship status, the notification states that the registration requirement will not apply where either parent is an Indian citizen and wishes to retain the child's Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Act, 1955.However, if a child acquires foreign citizenship while residing in India, either parent must inform the Registration Officer within 30 days of such acquisition.The notification also revises certain reporting requirements, standardising compliance timelines to a 24-hour window.In a significant procedural change, the amended rules introduce a digital appeals mechanism. Individuals aggrieved by directions issued by civil authorities can file appeals before the Commissioner, Bureau of Immigration, within 30 days through a designated online portal.The rules require the Commissioner to provide the concerned party an opportunity to be heard and endeavour to dispose of the appeal by passing a reasoned order within 60 days from the date of receipt of the appeal.The amendments are aimed at streamlining compliance procedures while tightening norms for delayed registration and strengthening oversight of immigration-related processes.