MHA Tightens Border Rules: ID Now Mandatory for India, Nepal, and Bhutan Travel
The Ministry of Home Affairs amends immigration orders, requiring specific ID documents for citizens travelling between India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has introduced significant changes to the MHA immigration order amendment, specifically updating the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order. Under the new guidelines, citizens of India, Nepal, and Bhutan are now required to produce specified identity documents when travelling across the borders of these three nations.
New Identity Requirements for Travellers
According to the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) (Amendment) Order, 2026, the rules for land and air travel have been streamlined to ensure better identity verification. Here is how the new rules apply:
- Indian Citizens: Those entering India from or departing for Nepal or Bhutan must present any one of the identity documents specified in the Visa Manual to immigration officers.
- Nepalese and Bhutanese Citizens: Similarly, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan entering or exiting India via air or land must produce a specified identity document from the Visa Manual and provide all requested information.
When a Passport is Mandatory
The MHA has clarified that these exemptions from passport requirements are limited. A valid passport is strictly required in the following scenarios:
- Third-Country Travel: Indian citizens travelling to or returning from any country other than Nepal or Bhutan via the India-Nepal or India-Bhutan borders must possess a valid passport and use only designated immigration posts.
- Foreign Nationals: Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens travelling to or from any country other than Nepal or Bhutan must hold a valid passport.
- High-Risk Transit: Any Nepalese or Bhutanese citizen who has embarked from or transited through Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, or Macau must possess both a valid passport and a valid visa.
Special Exemptions and Humanitarian Provisions
The amended order also outlines specific categories of people who remain exempt from standard passport, travel document, and visa requirements:
Defence and Military Personnel
Exemptions are granted to Indian naval, military, and air force personnel who are entering or exiting the country on official duty. This exemption extends to their family members, provided they are travelling on government transport. Additionally, foreign crew members of military vessels visiting India for repairs under Military Ship Repair Permits are exempt.
Refugees and Minority Communities
The MHA has included several humanitarian exemptions:
- Sri Lankan Tamils: Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who sought shelter in India up to January 9, 2015.
- Tibetan Nationals: Certain Tibetan nationals who entered India through designated procedures and are registered with authorities.
- Persecuted Minorities: Members of minority communities—including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who entered India on or before December 31, 2024, due to religious persecution.
For the aforementioned minority communities, the exemption applies even if they entered without valid travel documents or if their documents have since expired. However, these individuals are required to obtain an appropriate visa category after entering India to ensure their continued legal stay.
Legal Framework
This amendment has been officially issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs utilizing the powers granted under Section 33 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.