The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified new exemptions for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, allowing entry into India without a passport or visa, and for minority communities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, Christians) from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India fleeing religious persecution up to 31 December 2024.
The revised order consolidates earlier laws, sets strict penalties for immigration violations, and strengthens documentation and monitoring responsibilities for hosts and carriers.
In addition to scrapping passport and visa requirements, the new exemptions streamline travel for Nepal and Bhutan citizens entering India by land or air, as part of long-standing bilateral ties. Travellers may use a citizenship certificate, voter ID, or other valid proof instead of a passport, and minors have separate document allowances to ensure family travel remains hassle-free.
These changes aim to deepen people-to-people relations in the region and support easier tourism, education, and business exchanges.
Specific provisions have also been made for Tibetans who have entered India and are registered with the authorities, recognising their unique status and continuing India’s tradition of providing refuge to persecuted communities while maintaining proper documentation and rights management.
Major Provisions and Official Rationale
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which came into force on September 1, replaces four earlier laws and centralises immigration regulation. Under this framework:
- Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan may enter and stay in India by land or air without furnishing a passport or visa, maintaining historic open border policies. Their travel is still subject to general law and specific entry conditions.
- Religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, arriving before the cutoff date for reasons of religious persecution, are exempt from possessing valid documents. This directly responds to humanitarian advocates and closes gaps left by the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, updating protections to reflect new realities.
- Hospitality businesses, universities, hospitals, and transport carriers face stricter obligations to register and report foreign guests, enhancing traceability and legal compliance.
- Forging documents incurs severe penalties: a minimum two-year prison term and fines of at least ₹1 lakh, up to seven years and ₹10 lakh.
Officials have explained that the new order is designed “to fulfil humanitarian obligations, build on strong regional relationships, and maintain robust national security.” MHA spokespersons highlighted the Act’s commitment to transparent processes and efficient administration.
Context, Challenges, and Reactions
The new exemptions update the Citizenship Amendment Act, which only covered arrivals up to December 2014. Extending protection to those arriving by December 2024 reflects India’s ongoing willingness to shelter the persecuted amid changing geopolitical circumstances. While welcomed by rights groups and migrant advocates, the order also mandates robust oversight.
Carriers and foreign nationals face stricter checks, and other provisions address illegal entry, stay, and document fraud.
Concerns remain about integration, processing speed, and support for new arrivals. The government is balancing compassion with security, providing clear guidelines for authorities to identify, register, or deport individuals violating norms.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
India’s proactive immigration overhaul demonstrates a compassionate and practical commitment to coexistence, humanitarian protection, and regional harmony. Welcoming persecuted minorities and upholding borderless movement with Nepal and Bhutan reflects the country’s core values, but effective implementation and community support are essential.
Genuine integration and lasting peace will depend on local empathy, administrative efficiency, and civil society’s continued engagement.
