A big decision of the central government, minorities coming to India from these three countries are allowed to stay without a passport

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 passports. They can also stay in the country without a passport.

This order will apply to 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-Bhutan

The Home Ministry has issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025 on Monday. According to this order, people who came to India from Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet from 1959 to 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

In fact, in April this year, the government had passed a bill changing the passport rules that people coming to India without a passport can be jailed for up to 5 years, fined up to Rs 5 lakh, or both. But now some people have been given relief in this.

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