₹100 Notes Allowed for Travel to Nepal and Bhutan, 500 Rupee Notes also Allowed upto Rs 25,000 in Total Value, No Value Limit on Import and Export of Nepal Currency

The Reserve Bank of India has revised its rules on the export and import of Indian currency to and from Nepal and Bhutan, replacing the earlier directive issued in March 2019. Under the updated regulations, any person who is not a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh may now freely carry Indian currency notes of up to ₹100 denomination without any limit when traveling between India, Nepal, and Bhutan.

Additionally, such individuals may take out or bring into India notes above ₹100 denomination up to a maximum value of ₹25,000. The directive has been formalized through the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Amendment Regulations, 2025, published in the Official Gazette.

Authorised Persons have been instructed to inform their clients of the revised rules. The circular has been issued under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

 

[A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.18 dated December 8, 2025]

Sub: Export and Import of Indian Currency to or from Nepal and Bhutan

Attention of Authorised Persons is invited to A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 24 dated March 20, 2019.

2. On a review, it has been decided, in supersession of the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 24 dated March 20, 2019, to allow a person, not being a citizen of Pakistan or Bangladesh, to –

(i)   take or send out of India to Nepal or Bhutan, and bring into India from Nepal or Bhutan, currency notes of Government of India and Reserve Bank of India notes for any amount in denominations up to ₹100;

(ii) take out of India to Nepal or Bhutan, notes of denominations of above ₹100 up to a total limit of ₹25,000;

(iii) bring into India from Nepal or Bhutan, notes of denominations of above ₹100, up to a total limit of ₹25,000.

3. Authorised Persons may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers.

4. Necessary amendment has been notified as Foreign Exchange Management (Export and import of Currency) (Amendment) Regulations, 2025 [Notification 6(R)/(4)/2025-RB dated November 28, 2025], which has been published in the Official Gazette on December 02, 2025 (copy annexed).

5. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.