Travel guide · Nepal
Nepal Visa for Indian Citizens
Indians need no visa for Nepal. Carry valid photo ID, cross the open border freely, and travel without a permit.
Indian citizens are the one nationality that needs no visa whatsoever to enter Nepal. Thanks to the open-border arrangement between the two countries, Indians can cross freely, stay without a permit, and even study or work — there is no application, no fee and no day cap of the kind other tourists face. The only real requirement is carrying acceptable proof that you are an Indian national.
The short answer
Travel with a valid passport (best for everyone, essential if flying) or an Indian voter ID card (EPIC) for land crossings. Walk or drive across at major points like Sunauli–Bhairahawa, Raxaul–Birgunj or Kakarbhitta, or fly straight into Kathmandu, and you simply clear a light immigration check. No visa sticker is issued and no fee is charged. As always, confirm current document rules before travel, since enforcement and accepted ID can change.
What to carry
Because Indians do not get a visa stamp, your identity document is your entry permit, so choose it carefully:
- Passport — accepted everywhere and the only safe choice when flying into Tribhuvan International Airport.
- Voter ID card (EPIC) — widely accepted at land borders but not for air travel.
- Children should carry a passport or be on a parent's; a birth certificate plus the parents' ID helps at land crossings.
Avoid relying on documents like a driving licence or Aadhaar alone, as acceptance is inconsistent and you could be turned back.
Crossing the border
By land, the busiest gateways are Sunauli (for Lumbini and Pokhara), Raxaul–Birgunj (for the Kathmandu Valley) and Kakarbhitta in the east. These crossings are simple but can be chaotic; keep your ID accessible and ignore touts. Once inside, getting between cities is easy — see our guide to getting around Nepal for buses, domestic flights and shared jeeps.
How this differs from other nationalities
Indians sit in a tier of their own. The next-closest group is fellow SAARC nationals, who get a free 30-day gratis visa rather than full visa-free movement, while everyone else buys a tourist visa. For the complete picture across passports, see our Nepal visa rules by nationality hub and the master Nepal visa guide.
Other practicalities
Indian currency is widely usable in Nepal, though ₹500 and ₹2000 notes are officially restricted — carry smaller denominations or exchange for Nepali rupees. There are no special health entry requirements for Indians beyond the usual recommendations. With paperwork a non-issue, you can jump straight to planning the trip with our suggested Nepal itineraries. Rules around accepted ID and currency do shift, so reconfirm the latest position with the Department of Immigration before you set off.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Nepal?+
No. Under the long-standing open-border arrangement between India and Nepal, Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter, stay, study or work in Nepal. You also do not pay any visa fee. You simply need to satisfy immigration that you are an Indian national by carrying acceptable photo identification.
What ID do Indians need to enter Nepal?+
A valid passport is the cleanest option, especially if flying in. For land crossings, an Indian voter ID card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission is also accepted. Some other government photo IDs may be accepted but rules are applied unevenly, so a passport or voter ID is safest. Confirm current requirements before you travel.
Can Indians fly into Kathmandu without a visa?+
Yes. Indian citizens can fly directly into Tribhuvan International Airport and clear immigration without a visa, but you must carry a valid passport or, in some cases, a voter ID card. Airlines and air-side immigration tend to be stricter on documents than land borders, so travel with a passport when flying.
Is there a stay limit for Indians in Nepal?+
There is no tourist-style day cap on Indian citizens the way there is for other nationalities, reflecting the special bilateral relationship. That said, immigration rules can change, so reconfirm before any long stay and keep your identity documents valid throughout.
