Nepal Visa for Indians: What You Actually Need (2026)

Here’s the short answer if that’s all you need: Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal. India and Nepal have an open border agreement under the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which means you can walk across, drive across, or fly in without any visa paperwork at all. No stamps, no fees, no queues at an embassy.

That said, there are a few things you absolutely need to get right before you go — the right documents, the right currency, and an understanding of what “no visa” actually means in practice. This guide covers everything, based on what’s actually enforced at the border right now.

Which Documents Do Indians Need for Nepal?

You don’t need a visa, but you do need valid proof of identity and citizenship. Nepal accepts the following from Indian nationals:

• Indian Passport — The easiest and most universally accepted option. Recommended for anyone flying into Tribhuvan International Airport.
• Voter ID Card (with photo) — Accepted at land border crossings. Make sure it has your photograph — older cards without photos are typically rejected.
• Government-issued photo ID — A few other central government IDs are accepted at land borders, but these vary by crossing. When in doubt, carry your passport.

Why Aadhaar is NOT Accepted at Nepal Borders

This one catches a lot of travelers off guard. Aadhaar is not a travel document — it proves identity but not citizenship. Nepal’s immigration rules require proof of Indian citizenship, and Aadhaar doesn’t satisfy that requirement. Border officers at both land crossings and Tribhuvan Airport will turn you away if Aadhaar is all you have.

The same logic applies to PAN cards, driving licenses, and bank passbooks. These prove you exist as a person in India’s systems; they don’t prove you’re a citizen. Carry a passport or a valid Voter ID with photo. No exceptions.

What Documents Do Indian Children Need?

Children traveling to Nepal from India need one of the following:

• Their own Indian passport (recommended, especially for air travel)
• A birth certificate along with a parent’s valid government-issued photo ID

If you’re traveling with young children, a passport for each child is the cleanest option. Birth certificate + parent ID works at land crossings but can cause delays if officers want to verify everything carefully. Flying? Get the kids their passports before booking tickets.

Entry Points into Nepal from India

You have several options depending on where you’re coming from:

• Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu — The main entry point for air travelers. Passport required here; no other ID is accepted.
• Sunauli / Bhairahawa — The most popular land crossing for travelers heading to Pokhara or Lumbini. Well-staffed and relatively quick. Comes from Gorakhpur (UP) side.
• Raxaul / Birgunj — The busiest commercial crossing, connecting Bihar to central Nepal. Works well for Kathmandu-bound travelers coming from Patna or Muzaffarpur.
• Kakarbhitta / Panitanki — The eastern crossing, used by travelers coming from Darjeeling, Siliguri, or Northeast India. Entry point for the eastern Terai.
• Banbasa / Mahendranagar — The western crossing from Uttarakhand. Less crowded, useful if you’re coming from Dehradun or Bareilly.
• Nautanwa / Bhairahawa (alternate route) — Less busy than Sunauli, sometimes preferable during festival season when queues are long.

Land crossings are open 24 hours but processing is fastest between 7AM and 6PM. Arrive during daylight if you can — it’s faster, and the money changers and transport options are all active.

How Long Can Indians Stay in Nepal?

There is no fixed limit on how long Indian nationals can stay in Nepal. The open border agreement means there’s no 30-day or 90-day clock ticking on your visit.

However, if you intend to stay longer than 150 days in a calendar year, you are required to register with the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. This is a formality that most long-term residents handle, but short-term and even medium-term travelers (a few weeks, a month, a trekking season) don’t need to worry about it at all.

What About Non-Indian Nationals?

If you’re traveling with friends or family members who hold non-Indian passports, they’ll need a visa. Nepal offers a straightforward Visa on Arrival (VOL) at Tribhuvan Airport and at major land border crossings:

• 15 days: USD $30
• 30 days: USD $50
• 90 days (multiple entry): USD $125

Payment is accepted in USD, EUR, GBP, and most major currencies. They also take Indian Rupees, but check the current exchange rate being applied — it varies. Your non-Indian companions should carry passport photos and have their visa form filled out before reaching the counter to save time.

Citizens of SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) get free visas for varying durations — worth checking individually if relevant.

Indian Currency Rules You Need to Know

This is where a lot of Indian travelers get surprised at the border or at shops in Kathmandu. The rules on Indian Rupees in Nepal are specific:

• Accepted: INR notes of ₹100 and below (₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100)
• NOT accepted: ₹500 and ₹2,000 notes

This is a formal regulation, not just a preference. The Nepal Rastra Bank does not permit high-denomination Indian notes to circulate, and shops, hotels, and money changers will refuse them. Convert your large notes to NPR before crossing — either at an authorized forex counter in India, or carry enough smaller denomination Indian notes for immediate expenses.

The exchange rate hovers around 1 INR = 1.6 NPR, so your money goes a bit further once you’re there. ATMs in Kathmandu and Pokhara accept Indian debit cards (Visa/Mastercard), though you’ll pay a transaction fee.

Practical Tips Before You Cross

• Carry photocopies of everything. Keep a copy of your passport (photo page) and Voter ID separate from the originals. If something goes missing, the copy saves hours of hassle.
• Bring passport-size photos. Some border crossings and trekking permit offices still ask for physical photos. Carry 4-6 just in case.
• Land border mornings are busier. Festival season (Dashain, Tihar, Holi) sees long queues. Factor in 1-2 extra hours if you’re crossing during holidays.
• Register your SIM. Indian SIM cards work in Nepal on roaming, but a local Nepal SIM (NTC or Ncell) is cheap and has better coverage in remote areas. You’ll need your passport to register one.
• Keep your documents accessible. You’ll show them at entry, possibly at hotel check-in (standard across South Asia), and again if you’re getting trekking permits for Annapurna, Everest Base Camp, or similar routes.

If this is your first trip to Nepal, our guide on 10 things to know before your first trip to Nepal covers everything from altitude sickness to tipping culture — worth reading before you pack. And if you’re wondering why Nepal should be on your list at all, take a look at why Nepal is the best adventure for Indian travelers.

Ready to start planning? Browse our Nepal tour packages or explore all destinations to get a sense of what’s possible. For a custom itinerary, send us an enquiry and we’ll put something together based on your travel dates and interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Aadhaar card to enter Nepal?

No. Aadhaar is not accepted at any Nepal entry point — land border or airport. It establishes identity but not Indian citizenship, which is what Nepal’s immigration requires. Carry your Indian passport or a Voter ID card with photo.

Do I need a visa stamp or any entry permit as an Indian?

No visa stamp, no permit, no entry fee. You pass through immigration showing your document and that’s it. Some crossings don’t even have a formal checkpoint for Indian nationals — you’re essentially walking across. Tribhuvan Airport does have a dedicated Indian nationals lane that moves quickly.

Can I drive in Nepal with an Indian driving license?

Yes, for up to 15 days. Indian driving licenses are recognized in Nepal under a reciprocal agreement. After 15 days, you’d need an International Driving Permit (IDP). In practice, most Indian tourists rent bikes or hire drivers rather than self-driving, but the option is there for those who want it.

Can I carry Indian Rupees to Nepal? How much?

You can carry Indian Rupees, but only denominations of ₹100 and below. Notes of ₹500 and ₹2,000 are not legal tender in Nepal. There’s no fixed limit on the total amount of INR you can bring, but carrying over INR 25,000 equivalent without declaration can cause issues at some crossings. When in doubt, convert to NPR or carry USD as backup.

Is a passport mandatory for flying into Nepal?

Yes. If you’re flying into Tribhuvan International Airport, a valid Indian passport is required. Voter ID and other government IDs are only accepted at land border crossings, not at the airport. Book your air tickets only after your passport is confirmed valid and in hand.

What if my Indian passport is expired?

An expired passport is not accepted, regardless of how recently it expired. Nepal immigration requires a currently valid travel document. Get it renewed before your trip — passport renewal in India takes 2-4 weeks via Passport Seva Kendra, or 1-3 days with Tatkal processing if you’re short on time.