The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has designated three additional seaports as official immigration checkposts for the entry and exit of international passengers and vessels. This measure expands the authorized ports under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The notification issued on November 20, 2025, amends the earlier notification from September 1, 2025, by inserting the following entries into the Table under Category II (SEAPORTS):
- Vizhinjam International Seaport (Kerala)
- Hazira (Gujarat)
- Pipavav (Gujarat)
The three ports have been included as designated immigration checkposts, which means they are now equipped to handle the formal arrival and departure of foreign nationals and vessels.
Impact on Maritime Trade and Economy
This designation is particularly significant for the newly included seaports:
Vizhinjam International Seaport
The allocation of an immigration counter is expected to give a major boost to commercial activities and tourism by enabling crew-change facilities at the port.
Gujarat Ports
The inclusion of Hazira and Pipavav ports further strengthens Gujarat’s position in international maritime trade by enhancing their capacity to handle international passenger and cargo movement.
Prior to this amendment, the MHA had named 34 sea and river ports as designated immigration posts, in addition to numerous airports and land crossing points.