India revises passport exemptions for border travel and residence

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, in New Delhi. It was dated 4 November 2026 and took effect upon publication on 5 November 2026. For Indian citizens travelling directly by land or air between India and Nepal or Bhutan, the order requires an identity document listed in the Visa Manual. An Indian citizen travelling to or returning from a third country through either border must carry a valid passport and use a designated immigration post.

The amended order also covers Nepali and Bhutanese citizens travelling between India and the two neighbouring countries, subject to identity checks and stated exceptions. It provides conditional exemptions for some other groups, including registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took shelter in India by 9 January 2015. For specified categories of long-term residents covered by the new passport exemption, an appropriate visa is still required for continued stay.

Facts to remember

• Order S.O. 6027(E) was published and came into force on 5 November 2026.
• Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, is the authority cited for the amendment.
• For qualifying direct journeys, the immigration officer may require a document listed in the Visa Manual and additional information.
• The order makes different provisions for direct travel, travel via a neighbouring border to or from a third country, and continued stay.

Background

The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, identifies cases in which particular requirements of the immigration framework do not apply. The 2026 amendment changes that order under statutory authority. Its conditions matter because permission to travel on an alternative identity document and permission to continue residing in India are separate questions. A passport exemption for residence does not necessarily remove the visa requirement.

Why it matters for exams

For CLAT, judiciary and UGC-NET Law, revise delegated orders and how statutory exemptions apply to particular groups and travel routes.