India Bars Foreigners Convicted of Anti-National Acts

Foreigners may be denied entry into or residence in India if convicted of anti-national activities, espionage, rape, murder, terrorism, child trafficking, or membership of a banned organisation, according to an official order.

- Nibir Deka

Under the recently introduced Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, every state government and Union Territory administration will establish dedicated holding centres or detention camps to restrict the movement of such foreigners until deportation, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said.

The order states that every foreigner applying for any category of visa, including registration as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, must provide biometric information to the issuing authority before a visa or registration is granted.

In the case of illegal immigrants apprehended within India, restrictions will be imposed on their movement by placing them in holding centres or camps pending deportation. Border guarding forces and the Coast Guard have also been directed to prevent illegal entry by pushing back immigrants after capturing their biometric and demographic details for the central government's designated portal.