The Indian Home Ministry has issued a landmark order under the recently enacted Immigration and Foreigners (Citizenship) Act 2025. This order allows Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to stay in India without valid passports or travel documents.
The provision applies to those who entered India on or before December 31, 2024. It provides long-awaited relief to thousands of persecuted minorities who fled their homelands and settled in India.
For many, especially Hindus from Pakistan who arrived after 2014, this is a critical lifeline. They had lived in uncertainty, worried about deportation or legal action.
Continuation of Exemptions for Nepal and Bhutan
The order also extends the passport exemption policy for Nepal and Bhutan. Citizens from these two countries can continue to enter India by road or air without passports or visas.
Indian citizens traveling to and from Nepal and Bhutan under similar routes also remain exempt from passport requirements.
This reflects the historic ties and open-border policies that India shares with these neighboring nations.
Special Provisions for Defense Personnel
The Home Ministry clarified rules for Indian defense personnel. Members of the Navy, Army, or Air Force entering or leaving India on duty will not require passports or visas.
Their family members traveling with them in government vehicles will also be exempt from passport or visa requirements.
This ensures smooth movement of service members and their families during official assignments.
Clarification on Applicability and Exemptions
The order specifies that valid passports and visas are not required in certain conditions. Indian citizens entering from Nepal or Bhutan by road or air are exempt. Nepali or Bhutanese citizens entering India by road or air are also covered.
However, if they enter India from any other country, valid passports are required.
The Home Ministry also made clear that the exemption does not apply to people traveling from China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Pakistan directly. In such cases, passports and visas remain mandatory.
Inclusion of Tibetan Refugees
The order further applies to Tibetan refugees who have already entered India. Those who are registered with the concerned authorities and hold registration certificates will continue to be protected.
This ensures continuity of India’s long-standing policy of hosting Tibetan refugees since the mid-20th century.
Background: Citizenship Amendment Act and Immigration Act
This development comes after the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) last year. The CAA granted citizenship to persecuted minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2014.
The new Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 extends protections to those who entered later, up to 2024. Though it does not directly grant them citizenship, it legalizes their stay without valid passports or visas.
This staged approach highlights the government’s attempt to address humanitarian concerns while maintaining immigration control.
Why This Order Matters
The order is a major relief for thousands of refugees living in India without valid documents. Many had fled religious persecution and feared deportation.
For Hindus from Pakistan, the order ensures they can live without constant fear. Families that crossed the border after 2014 can now remain legally in India.
Social organizations working with refugees describe the decision as historic and life-changing.
Political and Social Reactions
The order is expected to spark political debates. Supporters say India has a moral duty to protect persecuted minorities in the region.
Opponents may argue that the law selectively favors certain communities while excluding others.
Nevertheless, the government has emphasized that this decision addresses historical persecution faced by Hindus, Sikhs, and other non-Muslim minorities in the three neighboring countries.
Community leaders have welcomed the move, saying it provides security and dignity to thousands of displaced families.
Legal and Administrative Framework
Under the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025, the Home Ministry has the authority to grant exemptions. By using this provision, the ministry has clarified the legal status of refugees who entered without documents.
Local administrations across states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Delhi will now be responsible for implementing the order.
Officials expect this will reduce legal conflicts and streamline the process of providing basic facilities to refugees.
Impact on Border States
States bordering Pakistan and Bangladesh will feel the greatest impact. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and West Bengal host large populations of Hindu and Sikh refugees.
For years, local authorities struggled to issue ration cards, school admissions, and health services due to lack of legal clarity.
With the new order, these communities will find it easier to access government services. Children will get school admissions, and families will feel safer building permanent homes.
How Refugees Are Affected
Refugee families living in makeshift settlements will benefit the most. Many lived in legal limbo, unable to secure jobs or enroll their children in schools.
Now, with their stay legalized, they can plan long-term futures in India. NGOs working with refugees say this order brings hope and stability to thousands.
International Perspective
Globally, India’s decision is being seen as a humanitarian measure. By extending legal protection to persecuted minorities, India is reaffirming its image as a refuge for displaced people.
At the same time, the exclusion of certain groups, particularly Muslims from the same countries, may attract criticism internationally.
Diplomatic observers believe India will defend its position by highlighting the history of persecution faced by non-Muslim minorities in these regions.
The Role of Registration and Documentation
The Home Ministry has stressed that refugees must register with local authorities. For Tibetan refugees, valid registration certificates remain mandatory.
This ensures that the government maintains proper records while granting exemptions. It also helps in planning resource distribution and monitoring refugee populations.
Future Path to Citizenship
While the order allows stay without passports, it does not provide citizenship. Refugees who entered before 2014 remain eligible for citizenship under the CAA.
For those who came later, up to 2024, the path to citizenship is still uncertain. The government may introduce future policies to address this gap.
For now, the order provides legal protection, but long-term integration remains an open question.
The Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 order by the Home Ministry marks a turning point in India’s refugee policy. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered before December 31, 2024, can stay in India without passports.
The exemption continues for Nepal and Bhutan citizens and applies to registered Tibetan refugees. Defense personnel and their families also benefit from clarified exemptions.
