The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on February 19, 2024, issued an amendment to the existing KYC instructions for issuing mobile connections to citizens of Nepal and Bhutan visiting India
This has a reference to the instructions dated August 09, 2012 that provides that a foreign tourist visiting India is required to provide a copy of passport with valid visa stamp for obtaining mobile connection in India
The following has been amended namely: -
• it has been decided that for citizens of Nepal and Bhutan coming from their respective origin countries, the following documents may also be treated as valid proof of identity documents as an alternative to a passport:
o Nepalese/ Bhutanese Citizenship Certificate; or
o Voter Identification Card issued by the Election Commission of Nepal/ Bhutan; or
oLimited validity photo-identity certificate issued by Nepalese Mission/ Royal Bhutanese Mission in India.
•It states that In case a citizen of Nepal or Bhutan enters India from a place other than their respective origin countries, then he/she shall have to provide a copy of his Passport along with a valid visa stamp.
• The validity of mobile connection issued to such citizens of Nepal & Bhutan shall not exceed the maximum time permitted to them to remain in India or the validity of their visa, as the case may be. In addition to this, the validity of such connections shall also not exceed 3 months at a time even if the maximum time permitted to remain in India or the validity of the visa is beyond 3 months. No international roaming shall be permitted on such mobile connections.
• It further states that The SDR details of all foreign customers shall be shared with designated LEAs & DoT/LSAs on a monthly basis separately and the other terms & conditions of instructions dated August 09, 2012 shall remain the same.
[Notification No. 800-09/2010-VAS(pt)]
