Nepali Travelers Granted Access to Indian SIM Cards, Easing Communication Barriers

Nepali nationals traveling to India for various purposes will now find it easier to stay connected as they gain access to Indian SIM cards. This move comes as a relief to many who previously faced communication challenges due to the unavailability of local telecommunication services.

Nepal’s Ambassador to India, Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, announced the breakthrough, highlighting the inconveniences faced by Nepalis in obtaining Indian SIM cards in the past. Previously, mobile connectivity in India was only accessible to Nepalis upon presenting a passport with visa stamps, causing hurdles for travelers.

Ambassador Sharma, in his social media post, acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Communication (MoC) in swiftly processing requests for this service, addressing the technical obstacles encountered by Nepali citizens.

Great news! Nepali nationals can now obtain a SIM card on the basis of their passport, Citizenship Certificate, voter’s ID, or ID issued by the Embassy. Citizens of🇳🇵were denied a SIM card earlier due to technical reasons.

Our request was processed quickly by MEA and the MoC, 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/ohPLyApIv1

— Dr. Shankar P Sharma (@DrShankarSharma) February 20, 2024

The Indian Ministry of Communications has responded to this issue by amending the previous requirements, allowing Nepali citizens to acquire mobile connections in India using various identification documents such as passports, citizenship certificates, voter ID cards, or limited validity photo ID certificates issued by the Nepali mission in India. This provision extends to citizens of Bhutan as well.

However, the new guidelines come with certain limitations, as outlined by the Indian Communication Ministry. The validity of these SIM cards will be aligned with the duration of stay in India or the visa validity, with a maximum validity period of three months at a time, even if the permitted stay duration exceeds this limit. Additionally, international roaming services will not be supported, restricting Nepali citizens from making calls back home while in India.