India Revises Visa Rules for Non-Muslim Refugees from Neighbouring Countries
The Ministry of Home Affairs has amended the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, mandating that members of six non-Muslim communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who entered India by December 31, 2024, must obtain an appropriate visa for continued stay. This amendment, notified on November 4, 2026, retains previous exemptions from passport and visa requirements for Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians. Additionally, the amendment introduces a formal definition of the 'Visa Manual' and revises travel provisions for Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens. Long-term residents facing passport renewal issues, including certain Pakistani nationals and Partition-era migrants, are also required to obtain appropriate visas for their stay in India.
Published 2 days ago • 06 Nov 2026, 12:27 AM IST