Centre Allows Religious Minorities From Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh To Stay In India Without Passports

New Delhi. Changes have been made in the passport rules for minorities coming to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Home Ministry issued an order saying that minorities coming to India from these three countries before 31 December 2024 do not need to show their passports. They can live in the country even without a passport.

This order will apply to people of 6 minorities - Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis - from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. If these people have come to India before 21 December 2024, then they can stay here without a passport.

The rule will also apply to citizens of Nepal and Bhutan

The Home Ministry on Monday issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025. According to this order, people who came to India from Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet between 1959 and 30 May 2003 will have to register their names with the Foreign Registration Officer, after which they can also stay in India without a passport. However, these rules will not apply to Nepali and Bhutanese citizens coming to India from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Pakistan.

The government had made provision for punishment

Actually, in April this year, the government passed a bill changing the rules of passport that people coming to India without passport can face jail up to 5 years, fine up to 5 lakhs or both. But now some people have been given concession in this.

The Home Ministry on Monday ordered that strict action will be taken against those violating passport rules. Foreigners coming to India without a passport will have to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh.