≡-India Removes Visa and Passport Requirements for Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan to Encourage Tourism, Trade and Regional Connectivity – Viral of Today

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September 4, 2025India is making Neighbor Nepal and Bhutan travel much easier. From September 01, 2025, citizens of these two countries will no longer need a passport or a visa to enter India. Justifying the country’s recent approach, it is an added advantage for tourism, personal travel, and regional cooperation. Under the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, the relaxation is granted to travelers coming to India by land or air through designated border entry points with Nepal and Bhutan.The newly proposed policy will enable Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens coming directly to India from their countries to travel without a passport and visa. The same policy will apply to Indians who are coming from Nepal and Bhutan back to India. The relaxation does not apply to people coming from other countries who are travelling through India, except for China, Macao, Hong Kong and Pakistan.Identity verification with documents has been made easier.Passports are no longer required, though travelers from Nepal and Bhutan must bear identity documents. The following are accepted:Citizenship certificatesVoter cards issued in their country of originDiplomatic mission photo IDs which are of limited validity, and which are issued in the country of IndiaChildren between 10-18 are required to hold the school principal photo ID accompanied by a parent. Children below 10 years of age are not required to have identification.Eased Scope of ExemptionsThe 2025 order integrates prior exemptions of 1957 and 2007 and expands it to cover more categories of people. Spouses and immediate family members of Indian Armed Forces personnel traveling by Government means of transport are included. Also included are registered Tibetans who entered India from Kathmandu under Special Entry Permits issued by Indian Missions in Kathmandu.The exemption also includes refugees from the minority community and more, such as Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, who migrated to India from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh before December 31, 2024, irrespective of the validity of their travel documents. Registered Sri Lankan Tamils who were granted asylum in India before January 9, 2015, are surmounted. These relaxed provisions broaden the groups of people who travel more safely and easily.Effect on Tourism and Local EconomiesIncreased tourism from Nepal and Bhutan is a likely outcome of this policy. Issuance of passports and visas is a hindrance to a traveler going to India for sightseeing, attending a cultural program, or even for personal reasons. This policy will be a boon for the border areas of the country as it will enhance the local economy, the businesses, hotels, means of transport and the tourism industry in these regions.Increased travel with other countries will help in the exchange of culture, education, and business, thus enriching the socio-economic relations of India and its neighboring countries. India, by removing some travel formalities, is trying to encourage tourism but also promote border trade and connectivity.Security Measures Still in PlaceThough the conditions have been relaxed, there is no compromise on security. Some form of ID can be utilized as a means of verification concerning the traveler’s safety. On the other hand, it is a rule for all foreign travelers that they have to carry a passport and a visa; this means that the exemption is really only for Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens.The Order of Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) dated 2025 is a progressive development towards uninterrupted border travel. The Order permits tourists and traders from Bhutan and Nepal to cross border to India under less stringent documentation and pour to business visit. This will maximize the inter-country linkage and economic development, enhance cross border cultural interaction, and support seamless border control management.

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