MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ORDER New Delhi, the 1st September, 2025 S.O. 3986(E).-- In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7 read with sections 3 and 11 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (13 of 2025) and in supersession of the Foreigners Order, 1948, the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 and the Foreigners (Tribunals) Order, 1964, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following Order, namely:--

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S.1 Short title and commencement.--

(1) This Order may be called the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025.

(2) It shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

S.2 Definitions.--

(1) In this Order, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(a) "Act" means the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (13 of 2025);

(b) "Schedule" means the Schedules annexed to this Order.

(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act or rules shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act or rules.

S.Order 3 Power to refuse entry into or stay in India.--

(1) A foreigner may be refused entry into or stay in India on the following grounds, namely:--

(a) if he is convicted on charges of anti-national activities, espionage, rape and murder, crime against humanity, terrorist and subversive activity including arranging financial support or money-laundering or hawala for such activities, trafficking in narcotics and psychotropic substances, human trafficking including child trafficking, racketeering in fake travel document and currency (including crypto currency), cyber crime, child abuse or found involved in such offences;

(b) if he is a member of an organisation which has been declared as an unlawful association under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967) by the Central Government;

(c) if his entry is to be denied under United Nations mandate;

(d) if he has been deported or granted exit from India for any offence and continues to be debarred for entry in India; or

S.Order 4 Landing of seaman and crew of aircraft.--

(1) A seaman, who is a foreigner shall require a Landing Permit or a Shore Leave Pass for entry into India, if he is not in possession of a valid Indian visa.

(2) The crew of an aircraft, who is a foreigner shall require a Landing Permit for entry into India, if he is not in possession of a valid Indian visa.

(3) The Landing Permit or Shore Leave Pass shall be issued by the Immigration Officer as per the procedure and conditions specified by the Central Government from time to time.

(4) The provisions of this paragraph are in addition to, and not in derogation of, the provisions of paragraph 3.

Explanation.-- For the purposes of the this paragraph, "seaman" means a person employed on, or engaged in the working of a vessel.

S.Order 5 Power to grant permission to depart from India.--

(1) In addition to the grounds specified in first proviso to sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Act, a person may be refused permission to depart from India on the following grounds, namely:--

(a) if his presence is required in India by any court;

(b) if he is suffering from diseases which are danger to public health or safety;

(c) if his exit may adversely affect relations with a foreign State; or

(d) if he cannot be allowed to depart or exit from India either under specific orders of the Central Government or by an order issued by any law enforcement authorities or other designated Government agencies as may be authorised by the Central Government.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-paragraph (1), the Immigration Officer may prohibit the departure of a foreigner by passing an order, when he is satisfied that such departure may not be in the public interest.

(3) Whenever an Immigration Officer passes an order under sub-paragraph

S.Order 6 Power to examine foreigner.--

The civil authority may examine any foreigner during his stay in India, for the purposes of the Act, or of rules or Order made thereunder or under any direction or instruction issued; and thereupon it shall be the duty of every such foreigner to present himself for such examination to the civil authority within such period as such authority may specify and furnish such information as that authority may require.

S.Order 7 Capturing of biometric information.--

(1) Every foreigner applying for any category of visa, including registration as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder under section 7A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955), shall allow his biometric information to be taken by the authority issuing the visa or the authority granting the registration as Overseas Citizen of India Cardholder, as the case may be, before grant of such visa or registration as Overseas Citizen of India cardholder.

(2) A person who is identified as a foreigner or considered to be a foreigner while in India shall allow his biometric information to be taken at such time and at such place by:--

(a) a specified authority of the State Government or a Union territory Administration;

(b) civil authority;

(c) Registration Officer;

(d) Immigration Officer;

(e) Border Guarding Forces; or

(f) Coast Guard,

on the designated electronic portal of the Central Government for the purpose.

(3) The biometric i

S.Order 8 Power to impose restrictions.--

(1) The civil authority or any authority as specified by the Central Government in this behalf may, by order in writing, direct that any foreigner shall comply with such conditions specified therein regarding --

(a) his place of residence;

(b) his movements;

(c) his association with any person or class of persons specified in the order; and

(d) his possession of such articles as specified in rule 20 of the rules.

(2) Every State Government and Union territory Administration shall set up dedicated holding centers or camps for the purpose of restricting the movement of foreigners, till they are deported.

S.Order 9 Restrictions on employment.--

(1) No foreigner shall be entitled for appointment to public services and posts in connection with affairs of the Union or of any State except for appointment in such services and posts as the Central Government may, by Special Order in that behalf, specific to a foreigner or specific to a post, as the case may be, specify.

(2) No foreigner who is in possession of a valid visa for taking up employment in India, shall, without the permission of the civil authority, accept employment in an undertaking in the private sector engaged in the supply of power or water or in the petroleum sector.

(3) Any undertaking in private sector engaged in the field of defence, space technology, nuclear energy or human rights or any other sector as specified in this behalf, shall not employ any foreigner without prior permission of the Central Government.

(4) No foreigner employed without the permission of the civil authority in sectors referred to in sub-paragraph (2) or without th

S.Order 10 Restrictions on certain activities.--

A foreigner shall produce, or attempt to produce, or cause to be produced, feature film, documentary film, reality television and web shows or series, commercial television serials or shows and web shows or series or any other mode or medium as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time, intended for public exhibition, only with the permission in writing, and subject to such conditions as may be specified in this behalf.

S.Order 11 Restrictions on mountaineering expeditions.--

(1) No foreigner or group of foreigners shall climb or attempt to climb any mountain peak in India, except those peaks with routes as specified in the First Schedule,--

(a) without obtaining the prior permission in writing of the Central Government; and

(b) without specification of route to be followed, attachment of a liaison officer and use of photographic and wireless communication equipment, as may be specified in this behalf by the Central Government.

(2) An application for seeking prior permission for climbing any mountain peak in India may be made to the Indian Mountaineering Foundation, New Delhi in the application form specified in the Second Schedule.

(3) The prior permission of the Central Government shall be required by nationals of China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan or persons having origin in these countries even for climbing peaks which are included in the First Schedule.

Explanation.-- For the purposes of this sub-pa

S.Order 12 Power to prevent, detect, impose restriction on movement and deportation of illegal migrants.--

(1) The Immigration Officer at the immigration post shall take steps including examination of foreigners and inspection of carrier, to prevent foreigners attempting to enter into India without valid travel documents.

(2) The designated Border Guarding Forces or the Coast Guard shall take steps to prevent illegal migrants attempting to enter into India by sending them back after capturing their biometric information and available demographic details on the designated portal of the Central Government.

(3) The civil authority, the State Government or the Union territory Administration or any authority specified in this behalf, shall take steps to detect illegal migrants in India in accordance with the procedure specified by the Central Government from time to time, which may include the following, namely:--

(a) examination of foreigners;

(b) inspection of any aircraft, vessel or other mode of transport, if the said authority has reasons to believe that an il

S.Order 13 Expenses of deportation.--

Where an Order is made in the case of any foreigner directing that he shall not remain in India or where a foreigner is refused permission to enter India or has entered into India without permission, the Central Government may, if it thinks fit, apply any money or attach the property of the foreigner in payment of the whole or any part of the expenses of or incidental to the voyage from India and the maintenance until departure of the foreigner and his dependents, if any.

S.Order 14 Protected area or Restricted area.--

(1) Every foreigner shall be required to obtain a permit to enter into or stay in any Protected area or Restricted area, as specified in the Third Schedule or the Fourth Schedule, as the case may be:

Provided that the provisions of this sub-paragraph shall not apply to, and in relation to --

(a) any person who is a citizen of Bhutan, except those having his origin in Afghanistan, China or Pakistan; or

(b) any other person who has been ordinarily resident in that Protected area or Restricted area for a period of not less than five years immediately preceding the date of publication of this Order except a citizen of Afghanistan, China or Pakistan or a person having his origin in these countries:

Provided further that no such permit shall be issued to a foreigner who is a citizen of Afghanistan, China or Pakistan or having his origin in these countries or to a citizen of any other country as may be specified by the Central Government by an Order, direction o

S.Order 15 Prohibited places.--

(1) No foreigner shall, without the permission of the civil authority or the Registration Officer having jurisdiction at such place, visit or reside, in any prohibited place as defined in clause (8) of section 2 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 (19 of 1923) or any such place as may be specified by the Central Government from time to time.

(2) Every foreigner intending to visit or reside in any prohibited place may submit an application for Prohibited place permit in the form provided in the Fifth Schedule electronically, on the designated online portal or the Mobile Application as referred to in sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 14.

(3) A Prohibited place permit in the format provided in the Sixth Schedule shall be issued electronically.

(4) Where any foreigner is, on the date of commencement of this Order, residing in any Prohibited place and is not permitted to continue to reside there, he shall, within such time as may be specified by the civil authority or the

S.Order 16 Constitution of Foreigners Tribunals.--

(1) The Central Government or the State Government or the Union territory Administration or the District Collector or the District Magistrate may, by order, refer the question as to whether a person is or is not a foreigner within the meaning of the Act to a Foreigners Tribunal constituted for the purpose by the Central Government, for its opinion.

(2) The registering authority appointed under sub-rule (1) of rule 19 of the Citizenship Rules, 2009 may also refer to the Foreigners Tribunal the question whether a person of Indian origin, complies with any of the requirements under sub-section (3) of section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 (57 of 1955).

(3) Any person referred to in paragraph 8 of the Schedule to the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003 may prefer an appeal, on the terms and conditions specified therein, before the Foreigners Tribunal constituted under this Order.

(4) The Foreigners Tribunal shall

S.Order 17 Procedure for disposal of questions referred to in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 16.--

(1) The Foreigners Tribunal shall serve on the person to whom the question relates, a copy of the main grounds on which he is alleged to be a foreigner and give him a reasonable opportunity of making a representation and producing evidence in support of his case and after considering such evidence as may be produced and after hearing such persons as may desired to be heard, the Foreigners Tribunal shall forward its opinion to the officer or authority specified in this behalf in the order of reference.

(2) The Foreigners Tribunal shall serve a show cause notice on the person to whom the question relates, that is, the proceedee.

(3) The notice referred to in sub-paragraph (2) shall be served within ten days of the receipt of the reference of such question by the Central Government or State Government or the Union territory Administration or any authority as specified in sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 16.

(4) The notice shall be served in English and also in the of

S.Order 18 Procedure for disposal of questions referred to in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 16.--

(1) The Foreigners Tribunal shall, before giving its opinion on the question referred to in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 16, give the person in respect of whom the opinion is sought a reasonable opportunity of making a representation and producing evidence in support of his case and after considering such evidence as may be produced and after hearing such persons as may desired to be heard, the Foreigners Tribunal shall forward its opinion to the officer or authority specified in this behalf in the order of reference.

(2) The Foreigners Tribunal may take such evidence as may be produced by the registering authority appointed under sub-rule (1) of rule 19 of the Citizenship Rules, 2009, who has made the reference to the Foreigners Tribunal.

(3) The Foreigners Tribunal may hear both the parties.

(4) The Foreigners Tribunal shall dispose of the case within a period of sixty days of the receipt of the reference from the authority as specified in sub-paragraph (2)

S.Order 19 Procedure for disposal of appeal referred to in sub-paragraph (3) of paragraph 16.--

(1) While preferring an appeal under paragraph 8 of the Schedule appended to the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003, the applicant shall provide a certified copy of the rejection order received from the National Register of Indian Citizens authorities along with the grounds for appeal.

(2) The appellant may appear either in person or through a legal practitioner or a relation authorised by the appellant in writing subject to the acceptance of such representation by the Foreigners Tribunal.

(3) The State Government may appoint a pleader to represent the District Magistrate.

(4) The Foreigners Tribunal shall issue a notice to the District Magistrate to produce National Register of Indian Citizens records within thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice and a copy of the said notice shall also be sent to the pleader appearing for the State Government and to the appellant.

(5) The District Magistra

S.Order 20 Procedure for setting aside ex parte order.--

(1) Where the Foreigners Tribunal has passed an ex parte oi for non-appearance of the proceedee and he has sufficient cause for not appearing before the Foreigners Tribuna may on the application of the proceedee, if filed within thirty days of the said order, set aside its ex parte order decide the case accordingly.

(2) The proceedee may file an application to the Foreigners Tribunal within thirty days to review the decision of Foreigners Tribunal claiming that he is not a foreigner and the Foreigners Tribunal may review its decision within th days of the receipt of such application and decide the case on merits.

(3) Subject to the provisions of this Order, the Foreigners Tribunal shall have the powers to regulate its own proced for disposal of the cases expeditiously in a time bound manner.

S.Order 21 Powers of Foreigners Tribunal.--

The Foreigners Tribunal shall have the powers of a civil court while tryir suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) and the powers of a Judicial Magistrate of the first class un the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sahita, 2023 (46 of 2023) in respect of the following matters, namely:--

(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;

(c) issuing commissions for the examination of any witness;

(d) directing the proceedee to appear before it in person;

(e) issuing a warrant of arrest against the proceedee, if he fails to appear before it.

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S.5

The First Schedule [See paragraph 11(1), (3) and (4)] List of mountain peaks opened for mountaineering expeditions by foreigners I. HIMACHAL PRADESH
S.No.	Name of the Peak	Height (in metres)	Longitude	Latitude	Remarks
The Second Schedule [See paragraph 11 (2)] Application form for seeking prior permission for climbing mountain peaks in India Expedition details
Expedition details		Remarks
1.	Name of the peak to be climbed and Altitude along with Co-ordinates Alternative peak and Altitude (with Co-ordinates) (In case the peak for which permission is sought is not available for booking)
2.	Organizer's country of Residence/ Citizenship/ Origin

The Third Schedule [See paragraph 14 (1)] Protected Areas
S. No.	State/ Union territory	Protected Area
1.	Arunachal Pradesh	Entire area of the State
2.	Himachal Pradesh	As indicated in Appendix
3.	Jammu and Kashmir

S.6

The Fourth Schedule [See paragraph 14(1)] Restricted Areas
S.No.	State/ Union territory/ Others	Restricted Area
1.	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	Entire area of the Union Territory
2.	Tibetan Settlements, Monasteries, Institutions, Nunneries and other locations, as given below:
(A) Tibetan Settlements
Arunachal Pradesh S.7 The Fifth Schedule [See paragraphs 14(3) and 15(2)] Application form for Protected Area Permit (PAP) / Restricted Area Permit (RAP)/Prohibited Place Permit (Pr PP) Name of applicant Mr./Mrs./Miss   Nationality   Passport No   Occupation   Address in India   Address abroad   Contact number   E-mail ID   Applying for Restricted/ Prote S.8 The Sixth Schedule [See paragraphs 14(4) and 15(3)] Format of the Protected Area Permit (PAP)/ Restricted Area Permit (RAP)/ Prohibited Place Permit (Pr PP) 1. Service number 2. Name in Full 3. Father's Name 4. Mother's Name 5. Date and Place of Birth 6. Gender 7. Present Nationality 8. Number and Expiry of Passport 9. Number and Expiry of Visa 10. Visa type and Valid For 11. Service Rendered on 12. Observation 13. Reason for fees 14. Fees (in Indian rupees) 15. Employer/ Inst