The Indian government has announced measures to offer relief to religious minorities who have sought refuge in India from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. The Ministry of Home Affairs has declared that individuals belonging to minority communities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian) who entered India by December 31, 2024, due to religious persecution or fear thereof, will not be required to possess passports or other valid documents to remain in the country. This exemption extends to those with expired passports or those who arrived without any valid documentation.
This decision is a significant development under the newly implemented Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, bringing substantial relief to many, particularly Hindus from Pakistan who arrived after 2014, and who had concerns about their future and residency in India.
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, a new law in India, governs the entry and stay of foreigners. It mandates valid visas and passports for entry, with penalties including imprisonment and fines for non-compliance. However, it provides exemptions for those fleeing religious persecution from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived before 2015.
