Home Ministry relaxes passport, visa rules for foreign nationals in India

The Indian Home Ministry has recently relaxed passport and visa rules for several categories of foreign nationals residing in India, according to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026. This amendment applies to Pakistani nationals who entered India on or before December 31, 2009, with the intention to reside permanently.

These individuals are now exempt from standard passport renewal requirements if they cannot renew their travel documents due to the non-possession of a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) issued by Pakistan. They must, however, meet certain conditions, such as not having married while in Pakistan, not acquiring any immovable property there, leaving behind family members who are Indian citizens when going to Pakistan, and undertaking not to return to that country.

Additionally, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, due to religious persecution or fear of religious persecution, are also exempt from these rules. Lastly, the amendment streamlines travel and identification protocols for citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and India travelling between these neighbouring nations.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express - India's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.