Kathmandu: Nepal has formally requested India’s approval to recognise its biometric National Identity (NID) card as an official travel document for cross-border journeys, alongside passports and citizenship certificates. The proposal has been forwarded to authorities in New Delhi through diplomatic channels for consideration.
At present, Nepali citizens travelling to India, particularly by air, must carry either a valid passport or an original citizenship certificate. Conversely, Indian citizens entering Nepal are required to present either a passport or an original voter identity card with a photograph. However, Nepal’s National Identity card contains comprehensive biometric information, including fingerprints, facial images, and iris scans, making it a highly secure, technology-friendly alternative.
The request comes as Nepal gradually makes the biometric NID mandatory for banking, land registration, passport issuance, and access to public services, with long-term plans to replace citizenship certificates entirely. According to Nepal’s Department of Immigration, introducing the biometric NID card for both air and land travel will streamline border management and provide greater convenience for cross-border travellers.
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