Major relaxation in passport-visa rules by Centre, relief for some Pakistani citizens and minority refugees

The central government has provided relief in passport and visa-related rules for certain categories of foreign citizens living in India. Under the new amended order, special exemptions have been granted to some Pakistani citizens, select people of Indian origin, and people from minority communities who came to India due to religious persecution. Along with this, the rules related to identity documents for direct travel between citizens of India, Nepal, and Bhutan have also been clarified and simplified.

Separate eligibility conditions have been set for these exemptions in the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. This relief will not apply to all foreign citizens; its benefit will only be available to those who meet the categories and conditions mentioned in the notification.

Which Pakistani citizens will get exemption from passport renewal?

According to the new order, those citizens of Pakistan will be eligible for this exemption who came to India on a valid Pakistani passport on or before 31 December 2009 and intended to settle here permanently. If they are unable to renew their passport due to the lack of a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) issued by the Government of Pakistan, they will be exempted from the requirement of a valid passport or other travel documents to stay in India.

However, this exemption does not automatically grant Indian citizenship or the right to permanent residence. The concerned individuals will have to obtain a visa of the appropriate category to continue staying in India.

Relief for some people of Indian origin living in Kerala

Relief has also been given to a separate category of people in the notification. This includes men who were originally Indian citizens and had moved to Pakistan between 15 August 1947 and 31 December 1965 after the partition. They had left their families behind in India and returned to settle in Kerala on a valid Pakistani passport on or before 31 December 2009.

Some specific conditions have been set for this category. The concerned person must not have married while living in Pakistan, must not have purchased any immovable property there, and must have left behind Indian citizen family members in India. They will also have to give an undertaking that they will not return to Pakistan. Furthermore, there should be no adverse report from the police or security agencies against them.

It is worth noting that these conditions do not apply to those Pakistani citizens, but to this separate class of people who were originally Indian citizens and settled in Kerala.

Exemption for people of Indian origin who acquired citizenship of Malaysia and Singapore

The government has also provided relief to those people of Indian origin who later acquired the citizenship of Malaysia or Singapore. For this, it is necessary that they returned to India on a valid passport of these countries on or before 31 December 2009 and their passport has now expired.

If the concerned country is not reissuing their passport due to non-fulfillment of their passport renewal conditions, they may get an exemption from the requirement of a valid travel document to stay in India. For this, documentary proof of Indian origin will have to be provided.

The definition of a person of Indian origin has also been provided in the notification. This includes foreign citizens who have ever held an Indian passport or whose parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or great-great-grandparents were born in India and were permanently resident here. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and China are not included in this category.

Relief for minorities who came to India due to religious persecution

The government has also granted exemptions to six minority communities who took refuge in India from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan due to religious persecution or fear thereof. These include people from the Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities.

This exemption will be available to those who came to India on or before 31 December 2024. This also includes those who reached India without a valid passport or travel document. Additionally, those who had valid documents at the time of coming to India but whose validity expired later have also been given relief.

However, it will be mandatory for these people to obtain a visa of the appropriate category to continue staying in India.

Provisions for Sri Lankan Tamil and Tibetan citizens as well

Relief has also been given to registered Sri Lankan Tamil citizens who have taken refuge in India in the amended order. This includes those who took refuge in India by 9 January 2015 and are registered with an officer designated by the Central or State Government.

A special provision has also been made for Tibetan citizens. This includes those who came to India after 1959 and before 30 May 2003, who held an entry permit from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. Meanwhile, for those arriving after 30 May 2003, the condition of obtaining a special entry permit, entry through a designated border checkpoint, and registration with the concerned officer including obtaining a certificate has been set.

Travel rules between India-Nepal-Bhutan also changed

The government has also simplified the identity-related rules for travel between citizens of India, Nepal, and Bhutan by direct road or air route. Now, citizens of these countries will be allowed to show identity documents mentioned in the central government's visa manual instead of a regular passport under specified circumstances.

However, there are some limitations to this exemption. If Indian citizens are coming to India from a third country via Nepal or Bhutan or going there, they must hold a valid passport and use designated immigration checkpoints.

Similarly, if citizens of Nepal and Bhutan come to India via China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan or go there, it will be necessary for them to have a valid passport and visa.

This amendment by the central government has come into effect with its publication in the Gazette on 5 November 2026. Under this, while relief has been given to people of different categories, it is necessary to follow the dates, documents, and other conditions prescribed for each category.