Ministry of External Affairs to Introduce Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill

New Delhi :The Ministry of External Affairs has prepared a proposal to introduce the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, in Parliament, which will replace the existing Emigration Act, 1983. This is a gift for Indians working abroad, as the new bill will focus entirely on the safety and welfare of Indian citizens.

The central government is preparing to replace the old Immigration Act of 1983 and will soon introduce the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025 in Parliament. After parliamentary approval, it will replace the old law and simplify, secure, and streamline the rules for working and living abroad for Indian expatriates. The Ministry of External Affairs has prepared a complete draft and is now expected to introduce it in the upcoming Parliament session.

The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that the bill establishes a regulatory framework by developing a system for safe and orderly migration of Indian citizens to overseas employment. It also establishes a framework to develop policies and schemes to promote policy actions for the protection and promotion of the welfare of migrants.

Elaborating on the features of the bill, the Ministry said it proposes the establishment of an Overseas Mobility and Welfare Council, which aims to provide greater convergence among ministries in policy management. It seeks to strike a balance between promoting opportunities abroad and establishing a regulatory framework for the protection and welfare of vulnerable groups. The bill creates a mechanism to monitor the administration and implementation of international agreements on migration and mobility. It also establishes robust data-based policy management based on labor studies and coordinated actions with various ministries and departments.

In recent years, it has been observed that some individuals lure Indians abroad with the promise of promising jobs and force them into various illegal activities. Following such complaints in several countries, hundreds of Indians have been repatriated with the cooperation of the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions abroad. Since the new bill focuses solely on the safety and well-being of Indian citizens, the fear of being caught in the wrong place while working abroad will be eliminated and the interests of Indian citizens will be protected. The Ministry has made the draft bill available on its website and is seeking suggestions and comments from the public until November 7, 2025.
(Report by Shashwat Tiwari)