• Source:JND
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Passport Rules: The Union Government has made changes to the passport rules for minorities coming to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The Home Ministry said in an order on Tuesday that minorities coming to India from these three countries before December 31, 2024 to escape religious persecution will be allowed to stay in India without a passport or other travel documents.

This order will apply to people of 6 minorities - Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis - from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

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Rule Will Also Apply To Citizens Of Nepal And Bhutan

The Home Ministry on Monday issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order 2025. According to this order, people who came to India from Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet between 1959 and May 30, 2003 will have to register their names with the Foreign Registration Officer, after which they can also stay in India without a passport. However, these rules will not apply to Nepali and Bhutanese citizens coming to India from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Pakistan.

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Government Had Made Provision For Punishment

In April this year, the government passed a bill changing the rules of passport that people coming to India without passport can face jail up to 5 years, fine up to 5 lakhs or both. But now some people have been given concessions in this.

The Home Ministry on Monday ordered that strict action will be taken against those violating passport rules. Foreigners coming to India without a passport will have to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakh.