In a major India travel update, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced that citizens of Nepal and Bhutan will now enjoy visa-free travel to India. Effective September 1, 2025, they can cross into India without carrying a passport or visa, as part of the revised India immigration rules for 2025.
Who Benefits Under the New India Immigration Rules 2025
The exemption applies to Nepali and Bhutanese nationals, along with Indian citizens returning from these countries. It also extends to members of the armed forces on duty, their families traveling on government transport, and registered Tibetans holding special permits issued by India’s embassy in Kathmandu.
Additionally, the MHA clarified that religious minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh—such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians—who entered before December 31, 2024, may continue to stay in India without penalties under the new law.
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Where the India Entry Without Passport Applies
The provision for entry into India without a passport is limited to official land and air border points with Nepal and Bhutan. Citizens arriving from third countries—such as China, Hong Kong, or Pakistan—must still comply with standard India travel requirements and carry valid documentation.
Although passports are no longer required, travelers must carry alternative identity documents. Acceptable IDs include a citizenship certificate, a voter ID card, or a limited-validity photo ID issued by their diplomatic mission.
Children aged 10 to 18 may use a school ID if traveling with parents, while those under 10 need no ID.
Why Visa-Free Travel to India Strengthens Regional Bonds
This move restores the tradition of open borders, originally framed under the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship of 1950. Authorities hope it will enhance tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges, reaffirming India’s historic relationship with its neighbors.
Officials stressed that the policy is not without safeguards. In border states like Uttar Pradesh, new rules require all foreign nationals—including Nepalese citizens and Overseas Citizens of India—to fill out Form C.
Institutions such as hotels, schools, and hospitals must also report foreign guests, ensuring closer oversight under the updated India immigration rules for 2025.
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Countries Allowed to Enter India Without a Visa
By easing restrictions for Nepal and Bhutan, India is broadening the list of countries allowed to enter India without visa. The initiative underscores India’s push for stronger regional integration, reducing red tape while maintaining border security.
For Nepali and Bhutanese travelers, the change means smoother journeys, fewer bureaucratic hurdles, and a reaffirmation of shared heritage and cross-border unity.
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