Indians travelling to Nepal or Bhutan will need to follow updated identity-document requirements after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amended the country’s immigration rules. Under the Immigration
and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, Indian citizens entering India from Nepal or Bhutan, or travelling from India to either country by land or air, must produce an identity document specified in the government’s Visa Manual before an immigration officer. The amendment was notified on November 5, 2026, and also requires travellers to provide any additional information requested by immigration officials.
What Are The New Travel Rules For Indians Visiting Nepal And Bhutan?
The revised order maintains the exemption from the usual passport requirement for eligible Indian citizens travelling directly between India and Nepal or India and Bhutan. However, travellers must now establish their identity by presenting one of the documents listed in the Visa Manual. The requirement applies to journeys by both air and land.
Importantly, the amendment does not mean that any government-issued identity card can automatically be used as travel proof. Travellers should check the current Visa Manual or confirm the accepted documents with the relevant immigration authorities and airline before departure.
Do Indians Need A Passport If Travelling To A Third Country Via Nepal Or Bhutan?
Yes. The exemption is limited to travel between India, Nepal and Bhutan. Indians travelling to or returning from another country through the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan border cannot use this provision. They must carry a valid passport and enter or exit India through designated immigration posts.
What About Nepalese And Bhutanese Citizens Travelling To India?
The amended rules also apply to citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering or leaving India by land or air. They must produce one of the identity documents specified in the Visa Manual and provide any information requested by immigration officers.
However, Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling to or from a country other than Nepal or Bhutan must carry a valid passport. Those who have embarked at or transited through China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan must possess both a valid passport and a valid visa to enter or exit India.
What Should Travellers Do Before Their Trip?
Indians planning a holiday to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Paro or Thimphu should verify the accepted identity documents before booking or travelling. Keep the required original document accessible during the journey and check the latest instructions with the airline or immigration authorities. The key distinction is that visa-free travel arrangements remain in place for eligible journeys between the three countries, but travellers must still meet the prescribed identity-verification requirements.
