Indian citizens travelling to Nepal and Bhutan will need to pay attention to revised identification and passport requirements following a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on November 5, 2026. The amendment to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, sets out the documents required when Indians cross into either neighbouring country by road or air. It also clarifies when the passport exemption does not apply, particularly for travellers using Nepal or Bhutan as transit points to reach other international destinations.
What Are The New Passport And ID Rules For Indians Travelling To Nepal And Bhutan?
The amendment, titled the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, was issued under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. It came into effect on November 5, following its publication in the Official Gazette.
Under the revised provisions, Indian citizens travelling to Nepal or Bhutan by land or air, or returning to India from either country, must produce at least one identity document specified in the government's Visa Manual before an immigration officer. Travellers must also provide any additional information requested by the officer.
The notification does not reproduce the complete list of acceptable identity documents. Travellers should therefore check the applicable requirements before departure rather than assume that every government-issued ID will be accepted.
For Nepal, the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu lists two acceptable documents for Indian nationals travelling by air: a valid Indian passport or an original Voter ID card bearing a photograph, issued by the Election Commission of India. Downloaded or printed online copies of the Voter ID are not accepted. The Embassy also explicitly states that Aadhaar, PAN cards, and driving licences are not valid substitutes for air travel to Nepal.
For Bhutan, the country's Department of Immigration states that Indian nationals can obtain an entry permit on arrival by presenting an original valid passport or Voter Identity Card. Other identity documents are not accepted under its published entry guidance.
When Is A Passport Mandatory For Travel Through Nepal Or Bhutan?
The passport exemption has an important limitation. It applies to Indians travelling between India and Nepal or Bhutan, not to those using either neighbouring country as a transit point to reach another international destination.
Under the amended order, Indian citizens departing for or returning from a country other than Nepal or Bhutan through the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan border must possess a valid passport. Their entry into or departure from India must also take place through designated immigration posts.
For instance, an Indian traveller taking a journey from India through Nepal to another country cannot rely on the identity-document exemption applicable to direct India-Nepal travel. A valid passport is compulsory for that international journey.
The amendment also specifies requirements for Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens entering or leaving India. They must produce an identity document listed in the Visa Manual and provide information requested by immigration officers. Those travelling to or from a country other than Nepal or Bhutan must carry a valid passport.
An additional condition applies to Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens who have embarked at or transited through China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan. They must possess both a valid passport and a valid visa.
What Should Travellers Check Before Departure?
The revised rules make it important to distinguish between direct travel to Nepal or Bhutan and journeys involving another international destination. Before booking tickets, Indian travellers should:
Carry an original passport or an eligible original identity document.
Check the entry requirements of Nepal or Bhutan, depending on the destination.
Avoid relying on Aadhaar, PAN cards or driving licences as substitutes for travel documents.
Carry a valid passport if travelling onwards to a third country through Nepal or Bhutan.
Use designated immigration posts when the itinerary involves entry into or departure from India on a third-country journey.
FAQs
1. What are the new travel rules for Indians visiting Nepal and Bhutan?
Under the MHA amendment effective November 5, 2026, Indian citizens travelling to Nepal or Bhutan by land or air, or returning from either country, must produce an identity document specified in the government's Visa Manual before an immigration officer.
2. Can Indians travel to Nepal by air without a passport?
Yes. The Embassy of India in Kathmandu lists an original Voter ID card bearing a photograph, issued by the Election Commission of India, as an acceptable alternative to a valid Indian passport for air travel to Nepal. Downloaded or printed copies are not accepted.
3. Is Aadhaar card valid for travelling to Nepal?
No. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu specifically states that Aadhaar, PAN cards and driving licences are not valid substitutes for a passport or original Voter ID for air travel to Nepal.
4. Can Indians enter Bhutan with a Voter ID card?
Yes. Bhutan's Department of Immigration states that Indian nationals can obtain an entry permit on arrival by presenting an original valid passport or Voter Identity Card.
5. Do Indians need a passport when travelling to another country through Nepal or Bhutan?
Yes. Indians travelling to or returning from a third country through the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan border must possess a valid passport. They must also use designated immigration posts for entry into or departure from India.
