India has rolled out major immigration reforms that directly affect employers hiring or managing foreign nationals. The new immigration rules in India raise compliance standards, tighten enforcement, and increase employer accountability under a single, modernized law. At the center of these changes is the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, which reshapes how immigration into India is regulated and monitored.
The Immigration and Foreigners Act took effect on September 1, 2025, and is now actively monitored, enforced, and digitally tracked.
New Immigration Rules in India: What Changed?
India's new immigration law consolidates four older statutes into one unified framework governing the entry, stay, movement, and exit of foreign nationals. This change gives authorities clearer enforcement powers and introduces standardized national processes.
Key Legal Updates
Consolidates four legacy immigration statutes into one law
Strengthens compliance requirements for foreign nationals
Expands the enforcement powers of the Bureau of Immigration
Introduces digital monitoring via the Integrated Immigration Management System (IIMS)
Increases visa compliance penalties in India for employers and individuals
Why The Change
To modernize and centralize immigration, replacing outdated laws.
To improve national security and border control.
To streamline entry processes with digital solutions.
These compliance requirements for foreign nationals now apply throughout the worker's entire stay, not just at entry.
Mandatory Registration, Reporting, Responsibility & Digital Oversight
One of the most impactful updates in the Immigration and Foreigners Act is mandatory registration for foreigners in India. Foreign nationals must register with the appropriate Foreigners' Regional Registration Office within 14 days of arrival (or sooner if visa conditions require it).
Mandatory Registration Requirements
Register with the designated Foreigners' Regional Registration Office
Meet visa-specific timelines
Keep registration records updated
Respond to authority requests if audited
Failure to comply with mandatory registration for foreigners in India can result in delays, fines, or further enforcement action.
Stricter Reporting Requirements India 2025
The law introduces stricter reporting requirements in India for employers and institutions interacting with foreign nationals.
Who must comply with the new immigration rules in India?
Employers hiring foreign nationals
Foreign employees already working in India
Educational institutions admitting foreign students
Medical facilities treating foreign patients
Hotels and accommodation providers hosting foreign nationals
What must be reported?
Arrival and departure details
Employment or enrollment status
Accommodation records
Certain life events (births or deaths)
Employer Immigration Responsibilities India
Under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, employer responsibilities are more explicit and more enforceable than ever.
Employer immigration responsibilities in India now include:
Ensuring correct visa usage
Confirming timely registration
Maintaining accurate employee records
Preparing for audits or inspections
These immigration responsibilities apply to all employers regardless of company size and extend beyond onboarding. Failure to meet employer immigration responsibilities in India may result in fines, audits, visa cancellation, or detention.
Violation Type | Visa Compliance Penalties India |
|---|---|
Invalid or missing documents | Fines or imprisonment |
Missed registration deadlines | Financial penalties |
Inaccurate reporting | Audits or enforcement |
Repeated non-compliance | Higher fines or detention |
Visa compliance penalties in India can affect both the foreign national and the employer, even when violations are unintentional.
Assess your organization's compliance risks with Atlas HXM's Global Compliance Risk Calculator.
Integrated Immigration Management System (IIMS)
India is launching the Integrated Immigration Management System (IIMS), a centralized digital platform connecting:
Immigration posts
Registration offices
Airports and border checkpoints
This new system enables real-time verification, making non-compliance easier to detect and harder to fix after the fact.
What Employers Should Do Next
To stay compliant under the new immigration rules, employers should take immediate, proactive steps to reduce risk and avoid penalties.
Recommended actions include:
Reviewing current foreign employee registrations with the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office
Confirming visa conditions align with actual job duties and locations
Auditing internal records to meet stricter reporting requirements India
Training HR teams on updated compliance requirements for foreign nationals
Preparing documentation in case of audits or inspections by authorities
With enforcement increasing, early compliance reviews can prevent delays, fines, and operational disruptions.
How Atlas HXM Helps Employers Stay Compliant
As enforcement tightens under India's new immigration law, employers need structured, proactive compliance support.
Atlas HXM helps companies manage immigration into India through its direct Employer of Record (EOR) model, aligning processes with government authorities, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and Bureau of Immigration, reducing legal and operational risk.
How Atlas HXM supports compliance:
Acts as the legal employer, handling all HR, payroll, tax, and compliance responsibilities
Manages employment documentation
Aligns processes with local regulations
Supports audit and inspection readiness
Monitors regulatory changes under the Indian law
Contact Atlas HXM today to see how we help companies scale confidently while remaining compliant with evolving immigration standards.