How Indian passport holders get a visa for Nepal: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Visa-free — unlimited stay (Indo-Nepal Treaty)
- Government fee: No visa fee — entry is free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship
- Processing time: No advance application — walk through the immigration counter on arrival
- Maximum stay: No fixed cap; Indians staying long-term should register with the Embassy of India in Kathmandu
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 100/100
Documents you'll need
- Indian passport (mandatory if arriving by air) valid 6+ months
- Voter ID Card issued by the Election Commission of India (accepted at land borders only)
- Birth certificate for minors under 18
- School ID card for accompanied children below 18
- Confirmed return / onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or local contact)
How & where to apply
Nothing to apply for in advance. Carry a valid Indian passport (or Voter ID issued by the Election Commission) and present it at immigration on entry. Travelling by air requires a passport; Voter ID alone is accepted only at the land border. Nepal Department of Immigration — Indian Nationals (official)
Transit & connections
No transit visa needed for any connection through Kathmandu (TIA) for Indian passport holders.
How Nepal compares in the subcontinent
With an ease score of 100/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. Nepal requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | Visa-free — unlimited stay (Indo-Nepal Treaty) | No visa fee — entry is free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship | No advance application — walk through the immigration counter on arrival |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | eVisa (ETA) — apply online before travel | Currently free for Indian nationals (the standard US$20 ETA fee is waived under Sri Lanka's active free-ETA scheme — reconfirm it is still in force). | Usually 24–48 hours by email |
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | No visa — Entry Permit + SDF ₹1,200/night | Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indians: ₹1,200 per adult per night, ₹600/night for children aged 6–12, free for children 5 and under (locked through August 2027). No separate visa fee. | Apply online at immi.gov.bt 5+ working days before travel to skip the airport queue, or get the Entry Permit on arrival at Paro or Phuentsholing. |
| 🇲🇻 Maldives | Free Visa on Arrival — 30 days | No visa fee. Green Tax: USD 12 per night at resorts/hotels/safari vessels, USD 6/night at guesthouses (children under 2 exempt). Hotels also bill TGST at 17%. | Granted on arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE) for all nationalities |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Sticker visa — apply at Bangladesh High Commission (free) | Government visa fee is waived for Indian nationals. BDVAC service charge of around ₹825 (₹699.50 + taxes) is payable separately. | Typically 5–14 working days; longer at peak times or during diplomatic slowdowns. Submission is in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC). |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
If you plan to fly onward to a third country from Kathmandu you must first obtain a Third Country No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu — apply at least 5–7 days before your onward flight. The NOC is not required when returning directly to India from Nepal. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.immigration.gov.np/en/page/information-for-indian-nationals-11
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Nepal?
Visa-free — unlimited stay (Indo-Nepal Treaty). If you plan to fly onward to a third country from Kathmandu you must first obtain a Third Country No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu — apply at least 5–7 days before your onward flight. The NOC is not required when returning directly to India from Nepal.
What documents do Indians need for a Nepal visa?
Indian passport (mandatory if arriving by air) valid 6+ months; Voter ID Card issued by the Election Commission of India (accepted at land borders only); Birth certificate for minors under 18; School ID card for accompanied children below 18; Confirmed return / onward ticket; Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or local contact)
How long does a Nepal visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: No advance application — walk through the immigration counter on arrival. Government fee: No visa fee — entry is free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Maximum stay: No fixed cap; Indians staying long-term should register with the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.
How do Indians apply for a Nepal visa?
Nothing to apply for in advance. Carry a valid Indian passport (or Voter ID issued by the Election Commission) and present it at immigration on entry. Travelling by air requires a passport; Voter ID alone is accepted only at the land border. Official source: https://www.immigration.gov.np/en/page/information-for-indian-nationals-11
Is a Nepal visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 100/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Nepal visa online or on arrival?
Nepal requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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