The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, is meant to ‘modernise and consolidate’ existing laws on this topic. It will also give the government the power to regulate admission of foreigners into universities and hospitals, as well as other educational and medical institutions. The government has said the new law will also re-define the role and function of immigration officers, whose word on denial of visas over ‘threats to national security’ will be binding. The new bill is being enacted to avoid multiplicity and overlapping of laws on the same, or related subject, and to simplify the language. It is expected to be enacted by the end of the year. The bill will replace four laws that govern the entry of foreigners, including the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, the Foreigners Act, 1946, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act,. 2000. The first three were passed by the British and the result of a post-World War scenario. The term ‘foreigners’, in this case, also refers to those of Indian origin. Foreigners will continue to be required to carry proof of foreign status – i.e., a passport or an equally applicable document – at all times. Tourists are exempt providing they do not stay continuously for more than 180 days. The Foreigners Order, issued by the Home Ministry in February 1948, allowed the government to deny entry if s/he does not hold a valid visa, or is of \”unsound mind\”, or suffers from a \”loathsome or infectious disease\”, or \”sentenced in foreign country for an extradition offence\”