India has amended its immigration rules for certain non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced changes to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, through the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026.

Under the amended rules, eligible members of six non-Muslim communities who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, without valid travel documents, or whose documents have since expired, must obtain an appropriate visa to continue staying in the country. The provisions also introduce changes to travel document requirements for Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens. Certain Pakistani nationals and other foreign residents also receive exemptions under the amended rules.

The changes were notified on November 5, 2026, when the amendment was published in the Official Gazette.

Which Non-Muslim Communities Are Affected by India’s New Visa Rules?

India’s new visa rules apply to people from six religious communities who came to India because of religious persecution or fear of religious persecution. These communities are Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Christians, Jains, and Parsis. The changes cover eligible people from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, under either of these circumstances:

• They entered India without valid passports or other travel documents.
• They entered with valid travel documents, but those documents have since expired.

Earlier, these groups had exemptions from passport and visa requirements for entering and staying in India. The government has retained the exemption from passport and visa requirements for entry but now requires an appropriate category of visa for their continued stay in the country.

What Has Changed for Foreign Nationals?

The amended rules retain the exemption from passport and visa requirements for entry for eligible members of the six communities who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, because of religious persecution or fear of religious persecution.

However, they must obtain an appropriate visa after entering India to continue staying in the country. This means that exemption from passport and visa requirements for entry does not automatically exempt them from obtaining a visa for their continued stay.

People affected by this change should check their eligibility and visa status with the concerned immigration authorities.

How Are the New Visa Rules Linked to the CAA?

The new rules are connected to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019. The CAA provides a pathway to Indian citizenship through registration or naturalisation for eligible members of six non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, subject to the prescribed legal conditions.

However, the two provisions have different cut-off dates. Under the CAA, eligible people must have entered India on or before December 31, 2014, and meet the other statutory eligibility conditions. The updated visa rules cover certain people who entered India on or before December 31, 2024.

These dates are important because permission to stay in India and eligibility to apply for Indian citizenship are two different legal matters. The 2026 immigration amendment does not automatically grant Indian citizenship to anyone covered by its provisions.

India Changes Visa Rules for Some Pakistani Citizens

The government has also introduced passport-document exemptions for certain Pakistani citizens and other long-term residents who face difficulties renewing their foreign passports. However, these exemptions apply only to specific categories of people who meet the prescribed conditions.

The first category includes Pakistani citizens who originally entered India on or before December 31, 2009, with valid Pakistani passports and the intention of residing permanently in India. They must have been unable to renew their passports because they do not possess a Computerised National Identity Card issued by the Pakistani government.

The rules also cover certain male members of the Muslim community who were originally Indian citizens, migrated to Pakistan during the Partition period between August 15, 1947, and December 31, 1965, and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009. They must have settled in Kerala (Keralam) and meet specific conditions. These include:

• They must not have married while living in Pakistan.
• They must not have acquired any immovable property in Pakistan.
• They must have left family members who are Indian citizens in India when they moved to Pakistan.
• They must not return to Pakistan.
• They must not have any adverse reports from the police or security agencies.

Another category covers people of Indian origin who subsequently acquired Malaysian or Singaporean citizenship and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009. Their passports must have expired and must not be renewable because they do not meet the respective countries’ passport renewal conditions. They must also provide documentary proof of their Indian origin.

People who qualify under these categories are exempt from certain passport or travel document requirements for their continued stay. However, they must obtain an appropriate category of visa to continue living in India.

New Travel Rules for Indians Visiting Nepal and Bhutan

Indian citizens can still travel to Nepal and Bhutan without a passport by land or air. However, they must produce one of the identity documents specified in the government’s Visa Manual before an Immigration Officer. They must also provide any additional information requested by the officer.

Indians travelling to a third country through the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan border by land or air must carry valid passports. They must also enter or leave India through designated immigration posts. Travellers should check the applicable identity document and passport requirements before starting their journey.

What Are the Rules for Nepali and Bhutanese Citizens?

Nepali and Bhutanese citizens can still travel to India without passports by land or air under the applicable rules. However, they must produce one of the identity documents specified in the government’s Visa Manual before an Immigration Officer and provide any additional information requested.

There are also specific conditions for travellers arriving from or travelling to third countries. Nepali and Bhutanese citizens entering or leaving India from or to places other than Nepal or Bhutan must carry valid passports.

Those who have embarked at or transited through China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan must carry both valid passports and valid visas when entering or leaving India.

These provisions retain the passport exemption for direct travel between India and Nepal or Bhutan while specifying additional requirements for certain international journeys.

What About Tibetan Refugees and Other Groups?

The government has retained passport and visa exemptions for certain Tibetan refugees who meet the specified entry and registration conditions.

Tibetan refugees who entered India after 1959 but before May 30, 2003, with an Entry Permit issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu remain exempt from passport and visa requirements.

The exemption also covers Tibetans who entered India after May 30, 2003, with a Special Entry Permit issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu through an immigration post designated by the Central Government on the India-Nepal border. However, they must register with the concerned Registration Officer and obtain a Certificate of Registration under Rule 13 of the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025.

Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took shelter in India on or before January 9, 2015, also remain exempt from passport and visa requirements.

The amended rules provide exemptions for certain military personnel as well. Indian naval, military, and air force personnel entering or leaving India on official duty are exempt from passport and visa requirements. The exemption also covers their family members when accompanying them on government transport.

Foreign crew members of foreign military vessels visiting India for repairs can also qualify for the exemption if they obtain Military Ship Repair Permits from an Immigration Officer at the relevant immigration post and carry their military identification documents.

What Should Affected Residents and Travellers Do?

People from the six non-Muslim communities covered by the updated rules should check whether they need to obtain an appropriate visa for their continued stay in India.

Foreign nationals who have lived in India for many years should also review their travel documents and confirm their eligibility for the applicable exemptions and visa requirements with immigration authorities.

Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens should check the identity document requirements specified in the government’s Visa Manual before travelling. Those planning international journeys through Nepal or Bhutan should also verify the applicable passport and visa requirements.

India’s 2026 immigration amendment requires eligible members of six non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, to obtain an appropriate visa for their continued stay, while retaining their exemption from passport and visa requirements for entry. The amendment also changes travel document requirements for Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens and provides conditional exemptions for certain long-term foreign residents.

Travellers planning a trip can check Indian Eagle deals to compare fares and find affordable flights to India.

The post India Updates Visa Rules for Six Non-Muslim Communities from Three Countries appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.