Big changes are coming from India for select foreign nationals living across the Palk Strait. The Indian government has relaxed standard passport and visa requirements for various groups, including Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans.
According to The Indian Express, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs officially notified these changes through the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, which came out in the Gazette on Thursday.
Relief for Sri Lankan Tamils and Tibetans
Under the revised rules, registered Sri Lankan Tamil citizens who sought shelter in India on or before January 9, 2015, are granted relief from the usual travel document and visa conditions.
Certain Tibetan nationals also gain exemptions. This covers those who entered India with permits from the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu between 1959 and May 30, 2003, or arrived later through special permits at designated posts on the India-Nepal border.
Other foreign nationals included
The relaxed rules also apply to Pakistani nationals who arrived on or before December 31, 2009, planning to settle, but cannot renew passports without a Pakistan-issued Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).
Religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, due to religious persecution or fear of it, are also covered.
In addition, exemptions extend to certain people of Indian origin who gained Malaysian or Singaporean citizenship and returned to India on or before December 31, 2009, with expired passports. Travel rules have also been made easier for Indian, Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling between their three countries.
