India Withdraws 2017 Yemen Travel Restriction

The Ministry of External Affairs withdrew its notification dated 3 October 2017 on 12 July 2026, which had imposed special conditions on Indian citizens travelling to Yemen. The withdrawal order was issued under Section 19(d) of the Passports Act, 1967, and the new gazette notification was dated 10 July 2026.

Yemen and Indian Travel Advisory

Yemen has faced civil war and armed conflict since 2014, and India had imposed travel restrictions in 2017 because of the precarious security situation. The Ministry of External Affairs continues to advise Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Yemen, and it asks travellers to assess the local security situation before any unavoidable journey.

Legal Basis of the Withdrawal

Section 19(d) of the Passports Act, 1967 empowers the Government of India to regulate travel-related matters through official orders. The 2026 notification cancelled the earlier 2017 order that had placed special conditions on Indian citizens travelling to Yemen.

Advisory for Indian Nationals in Yemen

Indian nationals residing in Yemen have been advised to remain vigilant and restrict their movements because of the prevailing security situation. Indian citizens in Yemen or those planning to travel there have also been asked to register with the Embassy of India in Riyadh for communication and emergency assistance.

Important Facts for Exams

• Yemen is located in the south-western part of the Arabian Peninsula.
• The civil war in Yemen began in 2014 and has involved multiple armed groups.
• The Passports Act, 1967 is an Indian law that deals with passports and travel documents.
• The Embassy of India in Riyadh handles Indian consular matters for Yemen-related travel advisories.

Official Notification Details

The withdrawal notification was signed by Joint Secretary B. S. Mubarak of the Ministry of External Affairs. The earlier 2017 order had been issued on 3 October 2017 and applied special conditions to Indian citizens travelling to Yemen.