Centre amends immigration and foreigners exemption order for Nepal and Bhutan
Indian nationals and citizens of Nepal or Bhutan must now produce specific identity documents when travelling between India and these two nations.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Thursday notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, according to The Times of India. The new order introduces amendments to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025.
Under the amended rules, Indian nationals travelling to or returning from Nepal or Bhutan by air or land must produce one of the identity documents specified in the visa manual. They are also required to provide any information requested by an immigration officer.
The exemption does not apply to Indian citizens travelling to or from countries other than Nepal or Bhutan through the Indo-Nepal or Indo-Bhutan borders. Such travellers must possess a valid passport and use designated immigration posts.
Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering or leaving India must also produce an identity document from the visa manual. However, this exemption will not apply to those who have transited through or boarded a flight from China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan.
For those specific cases involving China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must possess both a valid passport and a valid visa. The order defines the visa manual as a document issued by the central government containing instructions on visas and immigration.
The order also lists several exempted categories, including members of the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force on official duty. Other exemptions include certain registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals, specific Tibetans, and members of minority communities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024.