Acts, Rules, Orders & Notifications regarding Foreigners

All foreign nationals in India are governed by the provisions contained in the below mentioned Acts, rules and orders made there under.

1. The Foreigners Act, 1946. It regulates the entry of foreigners into India, their presence therein and their departure there from.


2. The Foreigners’ Order, 1948 It defines of the powers of Civil Authority with respect to Foreigners residing in India. It mandates obligation of Accommodators keeping foreigners to file C Form and reporting of Foreign Students studying in educational institutions via Form A.


3. The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939. It mandates that certain categories of foreigners whose intended stay in India is more than specified period, or as provided in their Visa authorization, are required to get themselves registered with the Registration Officer.


4. The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920. It prescribes specific authorization of foreign nationals on their valid travel document/ passports for allowing entry into the country. Under this Act and the Rules made there under, the foreigners coming to India are required to get Visa from Indian Missions/Posts.


5. The Citizenship Act, 1955. It regulates acquisition and termination of Indian Citizenship. Also, the acquisition and registration of foreigners as Overseas Citizens of India.


6. Passports Act, 1967. Act provides for the issue of passports and travel documents, to regulate the departure from India of citizens of India and other persons and for matters incidental or ancillary thereto.


7. Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000 Act makes the Carriers liable in respect of passengers brought by them into India in contravention of the provisions of the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920 and the rules made there under and matters connected therewith.

Further Acts, Rules and Regulations pertaining to Foreigners may be referred at the website of Foreigners Division, Ministry of Home Affairs (www.mha.gov.in)