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NEW DELH: India has amended its passport and immigration rules, introducing specific exemptions for certain foreign nationals residing in the country, including Pakistani nationals, religious minority refugees, registered Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans.

The changes were introduced through the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on November 4 and published in the Official Gazette on November 5.

Under the amendment, Pakistani nationals who entered India on or before December 31, 2009, intending to settle permanently, are exempt from the requirement to maintain a valid passport if they cannot renew it because they do not possess a Pakistani Computerised National Identity Card.

The exemption also covers certain men originally from India who moved to Pakistan after Partition and subsequently returned to Kerala by December 31, 2009, subject to conditions including security clearance and restrictions on returning to Pakistan.

Members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India by December 31, 2024, after facing religious persecution or fearing persecution are also covered. They may have entered without valid travel documents or with expired documents but must obtain an appropriate visa to continue their stay.

Registered Sri Lankan Tamils who sought shelter in India by January 9, 2015, and certain Tibetan nationals who entered under specified permits and registration procedures are also included.

The order additionally covers certain people of Indian origin who acquired Malaysian or Singaporean citizenship and returned to India by December 31, 2009, with expired passports that cannot be renewed.

Separately, the amendment revises travel requirements for Indian, Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling directly between the three countries by land or air. Eligible travellers may use identification documents specified in India’s Visa Manual instead of passports, subject to immigration checks.

The exemptions do not apply in certain third-country travel situations. Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens who have travelled through China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan must carry valid passports and visas when entering or leaving India.

The amendment also provides exemptions for Indian military personnel travelling on official duty, accompanying family members on government transport and foreign military vessel crew members visiting India for repairs under specified conditions.

The revised order took effect on November 5, upon its publication in the Official Gazette.

The changes establish limited exemptions for specified categories and do not amount to a general relaxation of India’s immigration requirements.