The Central Government has enacted the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, bringing substantial updates to India’s immigration landscape. Officially notified by the Ministry of Home Affairs under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, this order streamlines entry, stay, and exit processes for select categories by granting them relief from mandatory passport and visa requirements.
Who Benefits from the New Exemptions?
The order provides direct exemptions for several groups. Members of the Indian Armed Forces, when entering or leaving India on government transport, are now allowed to travel without valid passports or visas if they are on official duty. This exemption extends to their accompanying family members, thereby simplifying cross-border movements for military personnel.
The new rules also address regional integration and special diplomatic ties by exempting Indian citizens who enter by land or air over the Nepalese or Bhutanese borders. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan are allowed similar privileges for travel to India via their respective borders, with the exception of those coming from countries such as China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan, where standard document requirements still apply.
Humanitarian Relief and Special Shelters
Recognizing the complexity of migration driven by humanitarian needs, the 2025 order presents significant relief for minorities fleeing persecution. Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who took shelter in India on or before December 31, 2024 are exempt from the usual requirements, even if their travel documents are invalid or missing. Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who entered India up to January 9, 2015, are also granted exemption status under these new provisions.
Additionally, Tibetans already in India and registered with the relevant authorities can continue to reside without being subject to passport and visa restrictions, reflecting India’s continued commitment to protecting refugees and minority populations.
Diplomatic and Official Travelers
The order clarifies that foreigners holding diplomatic or official passports under recognized intergovernmental agreements are exempt from visa requirements. This extends to travellers from countries eligible for India’s visa-on-arrival program and foreign military personnel arriving on naval warships for exercises, goodwill visits, or humanitarian missions unless notified otherwise.
Carrier and Transport Industry Relief
A notable feature of the 2025 order is the easing of liabilities for transport carriers: airlines, rail, and road operators, bringing them welcome relief. These carriers are now exempt from penalties related to the carriage of certain categories of passengers, especially those who are either stowaways, arriving on diverted vehicles, or traveling with forged documents that require expert detection. Exempted passengers and holders of Temporary Landing Permits fall under this leniency, reducing administrative and legal burdens for international transporters.
Consolidating and Modernizing Immigration Rules
This sweeping notification supersedes older rules including the Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957, and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Order, 2007, aligning India’s immigration protocols with current realities and humanitarian priorities. The order, in effect since its gazette publication on September 1, is positioned as a forward-looking measure that consolidates exemptions while ensuring smoother operations for travellers, refugees, officials, and carriers alike.
The 2025 Exemption Order marks a milestone, signalling the government’s commitment to modernization and compassion within the national immigration system
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