The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima has ordered strict enforcement of the Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025 and the Immigration & Foreigners Rules, 2025, mandating all concerned establishments to electronically report the arrival of foreigners and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders within 24 hours.
Issued in pursuance of instructions from the Office of the Commissioner, Nagaland and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners-I Division, the order places hotels, guest houses, homestays, private rentals, hospitals, nursing homes, hostels, boarding houses, clubs, dak-bungalows, paying guest accommodations, religious institutions, charitable trusts, and other social or public rental premises under heightened reporting obligations.
Under Sections 8(1) and 10 of the Act, all keepers of such accommodations and institutions are legally bound to report the presence of any foreigner or OCI cardholder to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Kolkata.
As per Rule 17(1), accommodation providers must maintain proper records of foreign nationals, including all relevant details, and produce them upon demand by the Registration Officer, District Magistrate, or police officials not below the rank of Head Constable.
The order further states that under Rules 17(5) and 18(5), Form-III must be submitted electronically within 24 hours of a foreigner’s arrival through the official portal indianfrro.gov.in or via the mobile application “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam.”
Educational institutions have also been brought under the expanded compliance framework. Under Rule 16, universities and institutions admitting foreign students must electronically furnish Form-III details for students residing in hostels.
The district administration warned that any failure to comply with the stipulated provisions, including delayed or non-submission of Form-III, will be treated as a serious breach of national security protocols and may invite penal action under the extant provisions of the Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
The directive effectively broadens foreign national surveillance across Kohima district’s tourism, medical, educational, and rental ecosystem, signaling stricter scrutiny and legal accountability for institutions dealing with foreign visitors and residents. All stakeholders have been directed to ensure immediate compliance.
