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.
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