The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared that citizens of Nepal and Bhutan will no longer be required to carry a passport or visa to enter India. This directive applies to both land and air entry points from the two neighboring countries. The order comes after the implementation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Key Highlights of the Order

• Exemption from Passport and Visa: Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, as well as Indian citizens traveling from these countries, are exempt from carrying passports and visas.
• Applies to Land and Air Travel: The relaxed rule applies to entry into India via land or air routes from Nepal and Bhutan.
• Armed Forces Personnel: The exemption extends to members of India's naval, military, and air forces who are entering or leaving the country on official duty, along with their accompanying family members traveling on government transport.
• Exceptions: The passport and visa exemption does not apply to entries or exits from or to China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan. In these cases, a valid passport is required.

Additional Provisions

• Tibetans: The provision also extends to Tibetans who have entered and are residing in India, or who are entering the country, provided they have registered with the appropriate registration authorities and obtained registration certificates. This applies to those who entered India between 1959 and May 30, 2003 using a Special Entry Permit issued by the Indian embassy in Kathmandu, as well as those who entered after May 30, 2003 up to the date the Act comes into effect, using a new Special Entry Permit issued by the Indian embassy in Kathmandu and arriving through an immigration post on the Indo-Nepal border designated by the Central government.
• Religious Minorities: Certain religious minority groups from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan—including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who sought shelter in India due to persecution and entered the country on or before December 31, 2024, are also included, regardless of their travel document validity.
• Sri Lankan Tamils: Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took shelter in India by January 9, 2015, are also covered under this provision.

Rationale

This move is aimed at easing cross-border movement while ensuring that India's immigration regulations remain clear and inclusive for those with historical and humanitarian connections. The MHA's order provides clarity on the Registration of Foreigners (Exemption) Order for neighboring countries, detailing exemptions regarding visa and passport requirements.