India Amends Cross-Border Travel Rules with Nepal and Bhutan

#GS-2 #Governance & Social Justice #Current Events #National #International #Border Security #Immigration Policy

Key takeaways

The Ministry of Home Affairs issued The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026 under the Foreigners Act, 1946 and Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.
Travelers crossing borders between India, Nepal, and Bhutan must present approved identity documents listed in the official Visa Manual.
Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must hold a valid passport and Indian visa if transiting through China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan.
Special passport exemptions apply to persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who entered India on or before December 31, 2024.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued The Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026.
This new order updates the previous rules from 2025 to better manage travel between India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

The Ministry of Home Affairs created this order using powers from the Foreigners Act, 1946 and the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920.
It updates the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025 by detailing clear rules, required documents, and special exemptions for border crossings.
The primary goal is to boost border security and stop people from third countries from entering illegally, while still allowing visa-free travel for genuine citizens.

Indian citizens travel-ing to or returning from Nepal or Bhutan by land or air must show a valid ID card listed in the government Visa Manual.
If an Indian citizen travels through these borders to or from any other third country, this ID exemption does not apply.
In those cases, travelers must carry a valid passport and cross only at official immigration checkpoints.

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan must show approved identity documents from the Visa Manual when entering or leaving India.
They lose this identity card exemption if they are traveling to or from a third country beyond India, Nepal, or Bhutan.
They must carry a valid passport and an Indian visa if their flight originated in or transited through China, Macau, Hong Kong, or Pakistan.

The order formally defines the Visa Manual as the central government official guide on immigration rules.
The government updates this document regularly to outline clear instructions and documentation steps for border control officers.

Members of the Indian Armed Forces on official duty and their families traveling on government transport do not need standard travel visas.
Registered Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who entered India on or before January 9, 2015 are exempt from normal passport requirements.
Foreign crew on government warships visiting India for repairs need only a valid Military Ship Repair Permit and military ID.
Tibetan residents who entered India between 1959 and May 30, 2003 with entry permits, or after May 30, 2003 with Special Entry Permits, receive exemptions.
Persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan who arrived on or before December 31, 2024 are also exempt from standard passport mandates.