Passport: Should the new immigration legislation, known as the India Immigration Bill, receive approval from the Parliament, the consequences of using a fraudulent passport or visa to enter, remain in, or exit India will be severe. As reported by PTI, the bill stipulates a potential prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine reaching Rs 10 lakh for individuals found guilty of such actions.
Know more about the bill
Additionally, the bill mandates that hotels, universities, educational institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes provide essential information regarding foreign nationals, enabling the monitoring of those who overstay their permitted duration. Furthermore, all international airlines and vessels will be required to submit passenger and crew lists, along with advance information about those on board, at any port or location within India. Introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 11, the bill specifies that anyone who knowingly utilizes or supplies a counterfeit or fraudulently acquired passport, travel document, or visa for entry, stay, or exit from India will face a minimum imprisonment of two years, which may extend to seven years, along with a financial penalty.
The legislation also indicates that any foreign national entering Indian territory without a valid passport or travel document, including the necessary visa, could be subjected to a prison term of up to five years, a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh, or both. According to the latest statistics from the Union Home Ministry, 98.40 lakh foreign nationals arrived in India between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024.
An official noted that this bill aims to tackle the issue of illegal immigration in India and to monitor the activities of foreigners who overstay their visas, while also alleviating the compliance burden. Indian diplomatic missions abroad are authorized to issue visas of all categories in physical or sticker format, while the Bureau of Immigration provides electronic visas in seven categories to citizens from 167 countries.