The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced a major change in travel rules, allowing citizens of Nepal and Bhutan to enter India without a passport or visa starting September 1, 2025. Issued under the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, the decision aims to promote cross-border tourism, strengthen cultural ties, and boost regional trade.
Key Travel Exemptions
According to the MHA, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering India by land or air directly from their own countries will no longer need to carry a passport or visa. The same exemption also applies to Indian nationals returning from Nepal or Bhutan. However, the rule has certain limitations. If Nepalese or Bhutanese citizens are entering India from any third country other than their own, except for China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan, they must still carry valid passports and visas.
Identity Requirements for Travelers
While passports and visas are no longer necessary, travelers must carry valid proof of identity to enter India. Acceptable documents include a citizenship certificate, a voter ID card issued by the country’s Election Commission, or a limited-validity photo identity card issued by their diplomatic mission in India. Children between the ages of 10 and 18 can use a school principal’s photo identity card if they are traveling with their parents, while children under 10 are exempt from carrying any form of identification.
Nepali and Bhutanese citizens must carry valid proof of identity when entering India, such as:
- Citizenship certificate
- Voter ID issued by their country’s Election Commission
- Limited-validity photo ID issued by their mission in India
Children requirements:
- Ages 10–18: School principal’s photo ID if accompanying parents
- Under 10: No ID required
Other Groups Covered Under the 2025 Order
The new order consolidates earlier exemptions and broadens its scope to cover additional groups. Members of the Indian Armed Forces traveling on official duty, along with their families, can enter without passports or visas if traveling by government transport. The exemption also extends to registered Tibetans who hold Special Entry Permits issued by Indian missions in Kathmandu. Furthermore, individuals from minority communities such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians who fled religious persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, or Pakistan before December 31, 2024, are eligible to stay in India even if their travel documents have expired. Sri Lankan Tamils who sought refuge in India before January 9, 2015, are also covered under the relaxed conditions.
Impact on Tourism and Connectivity
This move is expected to significantly benefit border regions and local economies by encouraging more tourists from Nepal and Bhutan to visit India without facing documentation barriers. By simplifying travel procedures, India hopes to strengthen cultural exchange, foster people-to-people connections, and boost cross-border trade. At the same time, the MHA has emphasized that security protocols remain fully in place to ensure safe and regulated travel.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025 marks an important step in making cross-border movement smoother for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan. By removing passport and visa requirements, while still enforcing strict identity verification and security measures, the Indian government aims to make travel easier, strengthen bilateral relations, and promote tourism-driven economic growth across the region.
