The Ministry of Home Affairs, on November 4, 2026, issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, revising exemptions from passport, travel document and visa requirements for specified categories of Indian and foreign nationals.
The amendment revises entry and exit requirements for Indian citizens travelling to Nepal and Bhutan, as well as citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, subject to prescribed identity documents and travel conditions. It also provides exemptions for specified Indian armed forces personnel and accompanying family members, registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals, foreign crew of military vessels, eligible Tibetan nationals and minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, due to religious persecution or fear thereof. Further, specified categories of Pakistani citizens and persons of Indian origin holding Malaysian or Singaporean citizenship are exempted from passport renewal requirements for continued stay, subject to prescribed conditions and visa requirements.
The Amendment Order comes into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. The revised exemptions and conditions shall apply to the respective categories of persons subject to fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility requirements.
[Notification S.O. 6027(E)]
