New Delhi: Passport and visa requirements for several categories of foreign nationals living in India, including certain Pakistani citizens, Sri Lankan Tamils, Tibetans and minority refugees have been eased by the Centre under amended immigration rules.
The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026 also updates travel and identification requirements for Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens travelling across the neighbouring nations, as reported by News18.
Pakistani citizens who came to India on or before December 31, 2009, with the intention of settling permanently do not require to renew their passports if they are unable to renew their documents due to the non-possession of a computerised national identity card issued by Pakistan, the new rules state.
The exemption also applies to certain male members of the Muslim community who were originally Indian citizens, migrated to Pakistan after Partition between August 15, 1947, and December 31, 1965, and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009. To qualify, they must have settled in Kerala and meet specific conditions, including not having married or acquired immovable property in Pakistan, and having left behind family members who are Indian citizens.
Persons of Indian origin who acquired citizenship of Malaysia or Singapore and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009, using passports issued by either country are also covered under the rule. These passports must have since expired and be non-renewable.
However, individuals covered under all three categories will be required to obtain an appropriate visa to continue residing in India.
Members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, are also exempted under the amended provisions.
The exemption only covers those who entered without valid passports or other travel documents, as well as those whose documents have expired.
They will, however, be required to obtain an appropriate visa after entering India to continue their stay.
Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals, who sought refuge in India before January 9, 2015, have also been relieved of the general passport and visa requirements.
Tibetan nationals who entered India under specified entry permits issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and later registered with the competent authorities also come under this order.
Indian citizens travelling to Nepal or Bhutan by land or air may present any one of the identity documents specified in the government’s Visa Manual in lieu of a passport, the order states. The same provision applies to Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens entering or leaving India.
Nepalese and Bhutanese nationals who have embarked from or transited through mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan must carry both a valid passport and a visa though.
