MHA's new directive: Nepal, Bhutan citizens not required to carry visa for entering India, as before

NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday announced a new directive allowing citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, and India to enter the country without the need for a visa or passport, easing the earlier requirement.

"A citizen of Nepal or Bhutan entering India by land or air over the Nepal or the Bhutan border does not require a passport or visa for entry into India," ministry of home affairs said in statement.

However, it listed down other documents required for the entry, including:

• Nepalese/ Bhutanese Passport; or
• Nepalese/ Bhutanese Citizenship Certificate; or
• Voter Identification Card issued by the Election Commission of Nepal/ Bhutan; or
• Limited validity photo-identity certificate issued by Nepalese Mission/ Royal Bhutanese Mission in India when deemed necessary.
• For children between age group of 10-18 years, photo ID issued by the Principal of the School, if accompanied by parents having valid travel documents. No such document is required for children below the age group of 10 years.

It further clarified that a Nepal or Bhutan citizen "must be in possession of a Passport" when entering India from a place other than Nepal/ Bhutan.

The provision also covers Tibetans who are already in India or those entering the country, provided they are registered with the designated officers and hold valid registration certificates.

It applies to those who entered after 1959 but before 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 came into effect, using the new Special Entry Permit from the embassy and passing through an immigration post on the Indo-Nepal border designated by the Centre.