The Nepalese government has formally reached out to Indian authorities to request that its biometric National Identity (NID) card be recognized as a valid travel document for border crossings. Currently, Nepali citizens traveling to India—particularly by air—are required to present a passport or an original citizenship certificate. By proposing the NID card as an alternative, immigration officials hope to modernize the travel process, noting that the government is already moving toward phasing out traditional citizenship certificates in favor of these more secure, technology-integrated biometric cards.

According to the Department of Immigration, the proposal is currently under review in New Delhi following positive preliminary discussions with Indian Embassy representatives. Officials believe that adopting the NID card, which contains digitized fingerprints and facial data, will provide a more efficient and verified way to manage the visa-free movement between the two nations. As Nepal continues to roll out these cards to its citizens, this shift aims to simplify travel logistics for the thousands of individuals who commute between the two countries, potentially establishing a more organized and modern framework for bilateral transit.