Travellers, take note! India now has new immigration rules for travel between India, Nepal and Bhutan, announced by the Ministry of Home Affairs in November 2026. These rules will impact your requirements to show ID cards, passports and more. Here’s what you need to know.
India Updates Immigration Rules For Nepal And Bhutan Travel
Travelling between India, Nepal and Bhutan will now require clearly defined identity documents. According to NDTV, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has amended the immigration exemption rules. From now on, Indian, Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens must produce specified documents when crossing borders by road or air.
Under the new rules, Indian citizens travelling to Nepal or Bhutan, or returning to India from either country, will be required to show any one of the identity documents listed in the Visa Manual. This applies to journeys by both land and air. The same rules also apply to Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens coming to or leaving India.
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Who Needs To Carry A Passport And Visa When Travelling?
According to NDTV, the exemption is limited to travel between India, Nepal and Bhutan. It does not cover Indian citizens using the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan borders to travel to another country. Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling to or from countries other than Nepal and Bhutan must also carry a valid passport from now on. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan travelling through China, Macau or Hong Kong must also carry a valid passport and visa to enter or exit India.
The revised order provides exemptions from passport and visa requirements for certain categories, including members of the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force travelling on duty, along with family members accompanying them. So, if you are planning to travel to Nepal or Bhutan, make sure to keep these new rules in mind to avoid any problems at the airport. It is always better to be prepared and check the latest travel guidelines before making your way to the airport.
Also Read: No Passport Needed In Nepal? Nation Plans New & Easy Travel System For Foreign Visitors
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