SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Home Affairs
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Issued September 1 and published in the Official Gazette, the order consolidates and supersedes earlier exemptions, including the Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 1957, and the Immigration (Carriersβ Liability) Order, 2007. It introduces key travel and stay exemptions across several groups: Armed Forces personnel on duty (and their family on government transport), citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering through respective land or air borders, registered Tibetan entrants, and persecuted individuals from six minority communities (Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, Christian) who entered by 31 December 2024, all exempted from passport, visa, or travel document requirements. Additionally, carriers are granted relief from liability under defined circumstances, including transporting stowaways or passengers with forged documents. This landmark order streamlines India's immigration framework, reflecting the MHAβs intent to balance national security, humanitarian considerations, and operational efficiency.
Relevant question for policy stakeholders: How will this broad sweep of exemptions influence Indiaβs border management, asylum policy, and regional diplomatic posture over the medium term?
Follow the news here:
Central Government notifies Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025