New Delhi, Sept 3,2025: The Government has issued new exemption rules under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, through a Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, has come into effect from September 1, 2025, and introduces significant changes to immigration policy, exemptions, and penalties.
As per the order, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan will not require a passport, visa or other travel documents to enter India through land borders shared with these countries or to return to their home nations from India.
However, They will not be entitled to any exemption if they enter India via China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan or travel from India to these countries.
Tibetan nationals who entered India after 1959 and before May 30, 2003, and are already residing in the country with proper registration and a valid Registration Certificate, will be exempt from the provisions of the new Act.
Tibetans who entered India after May 30, 2003, via the India-Nepal border with a special entry permit issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu will also be eligible for the exemption.
Individuals belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities who entered India from Pakistan, Afghanistan or Bangladesh due to religious persecution or fear of persecution on or before December 31, 2024, will be granted exemption under the new rules.
Registered Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who sought asylum in India by January 9, 2015, will continue to be exempt from the Act for the duration of their stay.
A separate Gazette notification outlines the roles of state and central governments in the implementation of the Act. While state governments will be primarily responsible for enforcement, the central government reserves the right to amend or revoke any state-issued orders.
All foreign nationals will be required to enter and exit only through designated immigration checkpoints.
The third notification has fixed the penalty amounts for violations of the rules and has also specified the names of the officials authorized to impose these fines. A fine of Rs 5 lakh will be imposed for entering India without valid documents.
For overstaying beyond the validity of the visa or permit — up to 30 days overstay is Rs 10,000 fine; 31 to 90 days overstay is Rs 20,000 fine; up to 180 days overstay the fine is Rs 50,000; up to 1 year overstay Rs 1 lakh fine and Rs 3 lakh fine for over 1 year overstay.
