On 18 June 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2026. The amendment introduces definitional clarity, relaxes certain permit conditions, and significantly revises the list of protected areas. These changes have important implications for foreign nationals, OCI cardholders, and the tourism sector.
Key Points:
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This amendment modifies provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025.
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A major change is the formal inclusion of the term “Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder.”
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The definition is aligned with the Citizenship Act, 1955.
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This ensures clarity regarding the legal status of OCI cardholders within immigration regulations.
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The amendment introduces flexibility in permit procedures by allowing authorities to permit movement either with or without a permit, depending on the situation.
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The most significant feature of the amendment is the complete revision of the Third Schedule (Appendix) related to Rajasthan.
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The notification identifies protected areas across key border districts:
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Jaisalmer
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Bikaner
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Sriganganagar
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Barmer
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Phalodi
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Jalore
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Protected areas include:
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Entire tehsils (sub-districts), or
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Specific regions located west of major highways, such as NH-11, NH-62, and NH-68.
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Despite strict regulations, the Order provides several important exemptions:
⮚ National Highway Corridors: Areas along NH-11, NH-62, and NH-68 are excluded from restrictions.
⮚ Municipal areas of major towns are exempt, including:
○ Jaisalmer
○ Bikaner
○ Barmer
○ Sriganganagar
○ Phalodi
○ Pokaran
⮚ Popular tourist locations remain open, including:
○ Sam dunes
○ Kuldhara
○ Amarsagar
○ Khuri
○ Desert safari and camping sites
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Additionally, a 500-meter corridor along roads leading to these tourist spots is also excluded.
Read More: India overhauls Immigration Laws: Key Highlights from the Immigration and Foreigners Rules, 2025
[Immigration and Foreigners (Amendment) Order, 2026, published on 18-6-2026]
