The Union Ministry has declared that Aadhaar is not a valid identification document for Indians travelling to Nepal and Bhutan. Those travelling to Nepal and Bhutan must possess a valid national passport or a voter ID issued by the election commission. Notably, you don’t need a visa to travel to either of these countries.
This is significant as Aadhar has been recently made mandatory for a host of things.
The Aadhaar card, which has a 12-digit unique identification number and personal details like name and address, acts as a proof of identification and residence.
Additionally, to ease travel, persons over 65 and below 15 years can show documents with photographs to confirm their age and identity. These include PAN card, driving licence, Central Government Health Service (CGHS) card and ration card but not Aadhaar.
“Aadhaar (UID) card is not an acceptable travel document for travel to Nepal/Bhutan,” a communique issued by the ministry said.
Indians travelling to Nepal must have a valid ID card., noting that Nepal shares its borders with five Indian states. While those going to Bhutan by road are required to obtain an ‘Entry Permit’ on the basis of a valid travel document from the immigration office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.
Indians entering Bhutan by road are required to obtain an ‘Entry Permit’ on the basis of a valid travel document from the immigration office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.
Bhutan, which shares borders with Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and West Bengal, has about 60,000 Indian nationals, employed mostly in the hydroelectric power and construction industry. In addition, between 8,000 and 10,000 daily workers enter and exit Bhutan every day in border towns.
