Aizawl: The Mizoram govt has directed hotels, homestays, guest houses and other accommodation providers to comply strictly with the new requirements for reporting foreign nationals staying in the state under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.The advisory was issued after a meeting on the Protected Area Permit (PAP) and implementation of the new immigration law on Sept 12. It reminded accommodation providers that they are legally required to maintain prescribed details of every foreigner, including Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) passport holders, staying on their premises.Under Section 8 of the Act, read with Rule 17 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025, accommodation providers must electronically submit details of foreign guests in Form III, which has replaced the earlier Form C.The requirement applies to hotels, guest houses, homestays, hostels, rented accommodation, paying guest facilities, inns, motels, clubs, rest houses, religious institutions, trusts and similar establishments.The details must be submitted to the registration officer through the designated online portal within 24 hours of a foreign guest’s arrival. Details of the guest’s departure must also be submitted electronically within 24 hours of leaving the premises.The govt has asked establishments to obtain the user ID and password required to access the Form III portal and ensure that the credentials remain accessible to the person responsible for reporting foreign guests.Failure to comply with the statutory requirements may invite action under the Act. Non-submission of information in violation of Section 8 and Rule 17 is an offence, with Rs 50,000 specified as the compounding amount per case under section 25 of the Act.
