MHA Notifies Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026; Extends Registration Timeline and Revises Appeals Process

June 2, 2026 : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing significant changes to the registration requirements and appeals mechanism under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025.

Under the amended framework, foreign nationals who are required to register in India will now be permitted to complete their registration at any time before the expiry of 180 days from their arrival in the country. The revised provision offers greater flexibility compared to the earlier rule, which required registration to be completed within 14 days after the conclusion of the 180-day period.

The amendment also clarifies that registration applications submitted after the expiry of the prescribed 180-day period will be accepted only in emergent circumstances, thereby establishing a stricter standard for delayed compliance while retaining limited discretion for exceptional cases.

The changes form part of the government’s ongoing efforts to streamline immigration procedures and strengthen regulatory oversight under the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025. The revised rules are expected to provide greater clarity for foreign nationals regarding registration obligations while ensuring that authorities retain the ability to address cases involving genuine emergencies.

The notification further introduces modifications to the appeals mechanism under the existing rules, reflecting the government’s broader objective of refining the administration of immigration and foreigner-related matters in India.