Nathu La, Lipulekh La checkposts designated as immigration posts for Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Friday designated Nathu La Check Post located in East Sikkim District and Lipulekh La Check Post in Uttarakhand as temporary immigration posts for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026.

The ministry's joint secretary, Sandeep N Mahatme, in an official note said, "In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 4 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 (13 of 2025), the Central Government hereby designates Lipulekh La Check Post located in the Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand State as an authorized Immigration Post on a temporary basis for entry into/exit from India with valid travel documents for the pilgrims of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra 2026."

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra will begin from July 20 when pilgrims will start their journey via the Nathu La route.


In another notification, the Centre has amended the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025, updating the list of protected areas in Rajasthan where foreign nationals may require special authorisation to travel or stay. The gazette notification, issued by the MHA on June 18, updated the schedule of protected areas across border districts of Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sriganganagar, Barmer, Phalodi, and Jalore.

The amendment also incorporates Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders into the regulatory framework by defining the category.

The revised schedule includes numerous tehsils in the districts located close to the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan.

The order exempts city limits of key towns, such as Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer and Sanchore, as well as major tourist destinations in the Jaisalmer region, such as Sam, Kuldhara, Lodrava, and Bada Bagh.