India has relaxed passport and visa requirements for several categories of foreign nationals living in the country, including certain Pakistani citizens, religious minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans, Indian media have reported.
The changes were notified by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs through the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, which was published in the Gazette on Thursday, according to The Indian Express.
Under the amended order, 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 lack a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) issued by Pakistan, the newspaper reported.
The exemption carries several conditions. Applicants must have left behind family members who are Indian citizens when they travelled to Pakistan, must not have married or acquired immovable property while in Pakistan, and must have no adverse reports from police or security agencies. They must also undertake not to return to Pakistan, according to the report.
The order also extends relief to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, after seeking shelter from religious persecution or fear of persecution, the report said.
The exemption covers those who entered without valid travel documents as well as those whose passports or other travel documents have expired. They must, however, obtain the appropriate visa to continue residing in India.
Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took refuge in India on or before January 9, 2015, are covered by the exemption. Certain Tibetans are also included: those who entered India using permits issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu between 1959 and May 30, 2003, or through special entry permits at designated immigration posts along the India-Nepal border.
The order also covers certain people of Indian origin who acquired Malaysian or Singaporean citizenship and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009, on passports issued by those countries that have since expired and cannot be renewed.
The exemptions do not automatically grant permission for indefinite residence. Foreign nationals covered by the amended provisions must obtain the appropriate visa to continue staying in the country, wherever required under the applicable rules.
