New Delhi, Sept. 5, 2025 — The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a notification under the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, granting significant relaxations in travel document requirements for citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and certain minority communities from neighboring countries.

According to the notification, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering India through land or air routes will continue to be exempt from the requirement of furnishing a passport or visa. This exemption has been in place for decades owing to India’s special bilateral ties with both countries, and the latest order reaffirms the continuation of these privileges. The move is expected to facilitate smoother cross-border travel and strengthen cultural and economic exchanges between the nations.

Exemption for Persecuted Minorities

In addition to the provisions for Nepalese and Bhutanese nationals, the order also provides relief to members of minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan — specifically Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians. The exemption applies to individuals who were compelled to seek shelter in India due to religious persecution or a well-founded fear of such persecution.

The notification specifies that those who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, without valid documents such as passports or visas, or whose travel documents have since expired, will be exempted from the rule requiring them to hold valid passports and visas. This exemption ensures that such individuals will not face penal consequences solely due to lack of documentation, acknowledging the humanitarian circumstances under which they sought refuge.

Broader Implications

Officials noted that this exemption reflects India’s longstanding tradition of offering refuge to persecuted communities in the region. It is also seen as part of the government’s broader humanitarian approach to immigration, while simultaneously reinforcing India’s strong diplomatic ties with its closest neighbors, Nepal and Bhutan.

The Ministry has clarified that while these exemptions provide relief from passport and visa requirements, other immigration checks and security protocols will continue to remain in place. Carriers transporting such individuals may also be granted exemptions from certain documentation rules, as outlined in the order.

This move has been welcomed by policy analysts as a step towards easing humanitarian concerns while upholding India’s regional commitments. The order underscores the balance between maintaining national security and extending protection to vulnerable groups facing religious persecution in the subcontinent.