India Revises Travel Guidelines for Nepal and Bhutan: Check Passport and ID Requirements

Nepal and Bhutan Travel Rules Updated: New Identity Proof Requirements for Indian Travellers Explained

Indian nationals travelling to Nepal and Bhutan will have to pay closer attention to their travel documents following a fresh amendment to the country’s immigration regulations. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has revised the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2026, specifying the identity documents that Indian citizens must present while travelling between India and the two neighbouring countries.

The amendment, notified on November 5, 2026, requires Indian travellers entering India from Nepal or Bhutan, as well as those travelling from India to either country by air or land, to produce an identity document prescribed under the government’s Visa Manual.

Passengers may also be asked to provide additional details if required by immigration officers during the verification process.

What Documents Do Indians Need to Travel to Nepal and Bhutan?

The revised regulations retain the existing exemption from the standard passport requirement for eligible Indian citizens travelling directly between India and Nepal or Bhutan.

However, travellers must now establish their identity using documents recognised under the Visa Manual. The provision covers journeys through both airports and land border crossings.

Travellers should note that the amendment does not make every government-issued identity card automatically acceptable. They must verify whether their documents meet the prescribed requirements before starting their journey.

It is advisable to check with immigration authorities and airlines to avoid difficulties during boarding or border clearance.

Can Indians Visit Other Countries Through Nepal or Bhutan Without a Passport?

No. The passport exemption applies specifically to eligible travel between India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Indian citizens travelling to a third country through Nepal or Bhutan cannot use the exemption. They must possess a valid passport and complete the necessary immigration formalities at designated entry and exit points in India.

This distinction is particularly important for passengers using Nepal or Bhutan as transit destinations for international travel.

New Requirements for Nepalese and Bhutanese Citizens

The amended order also specifies identity-document requirements for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering or departing India by air or land.

They must present an identity document listed in the Visa Manual and provide any additional information sought by immigration officials.

However, different requirements apply when citizens of these two countries travel to or return from destinations outside Nepal and Bhutan. In such cases, a valid passport is mandatory.

There are additional restrictions for those who have embarked from or transited through China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan. Such travellers must possess both a valid passport and a valid visa to enter or exit India.

What Should Indian Travellers Keep in Mind?

People planning trips to popular destinations such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Paro and Thimphu should check the latest documentation requirements before departure.

• A few important precautions can help avoid last-minute complications:
• Verify which identity documents are accepted under the latest Visa Manual.
• Carry the original prescribed identity document during the journey.
• Confirm document requirements with the airline before booking or boarding.
• Check the latest immigration instructions for land-border travel.
• Carry a valid passport if travelling to a third country through Nepal or Bhutan.

The revised order does not withdraw the existing travel exemption for eligible Indian citizens visiting Nepal and Bhutan. Instead, it reinforces the requirement for proper identity verification.

Travellers should therefore distinguish between visa-free travel and exemption from identity checks: not requiring a visa or passport for an eligible journey does not mean travelling without prescribed identification.