Visa doesn't create absolute right to enter India, says Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court has ruled that a visa does not grant a foreign national an absolute right to enter India. The court clarified that the government retains the authority to deny entry based on national security, sovereignty, and public health concerns.
Why it matters
This legal precedent reinforces the state's sovereign power to control borders and regulate immigration regardless of travel documentation.
NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court has stressed that a foreign national does not have an inherent or legally enforceable right to seek entry into India even if granted a visa. It added the statutory framework does not treat the possession of a visa as creating an absolute and unconditional right of admission into India.Justice Amit Mahajan observed: "The statutory scheme expressly contemplates circumstances in which, notwithstanding possession of requisite travel documents, a foreigner may not be permitted to enter India on grounds, including considerations relating to national…
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in