India relaxes visa, passport rules for Pakistani, Afghan minorities
What's the story
India has relaxed its passport and visa requirements for certain categories of foreign nationals residing in the country. The new rules, notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), include exemptions for certain Pakistani citizens, religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans. The changes were notified by the MHA through the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026.
Eligibility criteria
Exemption for certain Pakistani nationals
The amended order provides exemptions to several categories of foreign nationals, subject to specific eligibility conditions.
Certain Pakistani nationals who entered India on or before December 31, 2009, intending to settle permanently may be exempt from passport renewal requirements if they cannot renew their documents because they don't possess a Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) issued by Pakistan.
Minority relief
Exemption for religious minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh
The amended order also extends relief to members of six religious communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
These include Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, after fleeing religious persecution or fear of persecution.
The exemption applies to those who entered without valid travel documents or whose passports have expired. However, they must obtain the appropriate visa to continue residing in India.
Others
Order also provides exemptions to registered Sri Lankan Tamil
The amended order also provides exemptions to registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took refuge in India on or before January 9, 2015, and certain Tibetans who entered India using permits issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu between 1959 and May 30, 2003.
Certain individuals who acquired Malaysian or Singaporean citizenship and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009, using passports issued by those countries but have since expired and cannot be renewed, are also included.
Travel documentation
Alternative identification documents for India, Nepal, and Bhutan citizens
The Centre also revised documentation requirements for citizens of India, Nepal, and Bhutan traveling directly between the three countries by land or air.
Under the amended rules, citizens can use specified identification documents listed in the government's Visa Manual instead of standard passports.
However, standard passport and visa requirements will continue to apply when travel involves certain third countries.
Military exemptions
Additional exemptions included in the notification
The notification also provides exemptions for certain additional categories.
Indian armed forces personnel traveling on official duty are exempt from passport and visa requirements, along with their family members accompanying them on government transport.
Foreign military crew members aboard foreign military vessels visiting India for repairs are also exempt from passport requirements if they have Military Ship Repair Permits issued by immigration authorities and carry valid military identification.