India relaxes immigration rules for Pakistani, Afghan minorities and other foreign nationals

New Delhi – The Union government has issued a directive to ease existing immigration procedures for selected groups of foreign nationals, specifically minorities from Pakistan and Afghanistan, along with other eligible applicants. The policy change is intended to simplify visa and entry formalities, allowing faster processing for individuals facing security or humanitarian concerns.

According to the announcement, the revised guidelines will reduce documentation requirements and shorten processing timelines for the targeted categories. Officials said the move aligns with India's broader commitment to humanitarian considerations and regional cooperation.

The Ministry of Home Affairs will oversee implementation, coordinating with foreign missions and relevant agencies to ensure the new rules are applied uniformly across entry points. No further details on the exact criteria or timelines were disclosed at the time of the statement.

Stakeholders are expected to seek clarification from the ministry as the revised framework rolls out, with the government indicating that additional guidance will be issued in due course.