India's New 'Appropriate Visa' Rule for Six Non-Muslim Communities

India Non-Muslim Communities Appropriate Visa Requirement: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced a significant amendment to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, which makes it mandatory for members of six non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, fleeing religious persecution or the fear of it, without valid travel documents or whose documents have since expired, to obtain an “appropriate visa” for their continued stay in the country.

The amendment, notified on November 4, 2026, through the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, retains the exemption granted under a September 2, 2025 notification to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from the three countries from the requirement of possessing valid passports or travel documents at the time of entry into and stay in India.

Minority Refugees

According to officials, the amendment covers people who had to leave their respective countries due to religious persecution or fear of persecution and sought shelter in India on or before December 31, 2024, without valid passports or travel documents. It also includes those whose documents have since expired. The ministry said an “appropriate visa” is now required for these people to continue living in India.

Pakistani Nationals and Returnees

Certain Pakistani nationals who entered India on or before December 31, 2009, with the intention of residing permanently are exempted from standard passport-renewal requirements if they cannot renew their travel documents because they do not possess a Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) issued by Pakistan, reports PTI.

To qualify, they must not have married in Pakistan or acquired immovable property there. They must also have left behind family members who are Indian citizens when going to Pakistan, undertake not to return to Pakistan, and have no adverse reports from police or security agencies.

The exemption also covers certain male members of the Muslim community who were originally Indian citizens, went to Pakistan after Partition between August 15, 1947, and December 31, 1965, and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009, as per DD News.

A further category comprises 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. All three categories must obtain an appropriate visa category to continue their stay in India.

Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans

Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took shelter in India on or before January 9, 2015, are exempted from the general passport and visa requirements, as per PTI. Certain Tibetans are also covered. These include those who entered India on permits issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu between 1959 and May 30, 2003, or on special entry permits issued after that date through designated immigration posts on the India-Nepal border.

They must register with the concerned authorities and obtain a certificate of registration.

Nepal and Bhutan Travel

Indian citizens travelling directly to Nepal or Bhutan by land or air may present an identity document specified in the government's Visa Manual instead of a passport, subject to producing it before an Immigration Officer and providing any information sought. Similar provisions apply to citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering or exiting India.

The relaxation does not apply to Indian citizens departing for or returning from countries other than Nepal or Bhutan through the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan border. They must hold a valid passport and enter or exit only through designated immigration posts. Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens entering or exiting India after embarking from or transiting through China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan must hold both a valid passport and a valid visa.

Armed Forces and Ship Crews

Members of the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force travelling on official duty are exempt from passport and visa requirements, as are family members accompanying them on government transport. Foreign crew members of military vessels visiting India for repairs are exempt from passport requirements if they possess valid Military Identification Documents and obtain Military Ship Repair Permits from the Immigration Officer at the immigration post.

The notification also defines the Visa Manual, issued by the Central Government from time to time, which incorporates instructions relating to visas, immigration and other connected matters.