Kohima, May 6 (MExN): The Deputy Commissioner of Kohima has directed all accommodation providers and medical institutions in the district to mandatorily report the arrival and presence of foreigners and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, invoking provisions of the Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025.
The order, issued in pursuance of directives from the Office of the Commissioner, Nagaland, and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Foreigners-I Division, makes it legally binding on hotels, guest houses, homestays, private rentals, hospitals, and nursing homes to report such individuals to the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Kolkata, under Sections 8(1) and 10 of the Act.
Under Rule 17(5) and Rule 18(5) of the Immigration & Foreigners Rules, 2025, accommodation and medical facility operators must electronically transmit Form-III within 24 hours of a foreigner's arrival via the designated portal https://indianfrro.gov.in or the mobile application “Indian Visa Su-Swagatam.”
All accommodation providers are further required under Rule 17(1) to maintain records of foreigners, which must be preserved and produced on demand by the Registration Officer, District Magistrate, or any police officer not below the rank of Head Constable.
The order extends to boarding houses, clubs, dak-bungalows, hostels, paying guest accommodations, religious institutions, charitable trusts, and any rented or furnished premises of a social or public nature.
Universities and educational institutions enrolling foreign students are also required under Rule 16 to electronically submit Form-III for students residing in hostels.
Failure to comply or submit Form-III within the stipulated time will attract penal action under the Immigration & Foreigners Act, 2025, the order stated, terming non-compliance a “serious breach of national security protocols.”
