Nepal Visa for Indians 2026

No, Indians do NOT need a visa for Nepal. Under the India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950), Indian citizens can enter, stay, work, and live in Nepal freely without any visa.

Absolutely no fee. Entry to Nepal is completely free for Indian citizens. No visa fee, no entry fee, no tourist tax. Just carry a valid ID and enter.

Departure tax at Tribhuvan International Airport is usually included in your airline ticket. Indians do not pay any additional visa or immigration fees.

Yes, Nepal is one of the cheapest international destinations. No visa cost, Indian currency accepted, budget accommodation from ₹500/night, meals from ₹200. A 5-day trip can cost ₹15,000-25,000 including transport.

Budget ₹2,000-4,000 per day. Carry ₹100 and lower denomination notes as larger notes are not accepted. ATMs available in cities. Credit cards accepted in hotels and restaurants in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

For flights: Valid Indian passport. For land borders: Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport. No visa application, no forms, no photographs needed. The simplest international travel process.

Yes, Indian citizens can enter Nepal at land borders using Aadhaar card. However, for air travel (flights to Kathmandu), a valid passport is mandatory as per airline requirements.

No, Indian citizens do not receive an immigration entry/exit stamp in their passport when entering Nepal. The process is seamless with no formal immigration procedure.

Major India-Nepal border crossings: Raxaul-Birgunj (Bihar), Sunauli-Bhairahawa (UP), Kakarbhitta (from Siliguri), Nepalganj-Rupaidiha (UP), Mahendranagar-Banbasa (Uttarakhand). All open to Indians.

Yes, Indians can drive to Nepal. Indian driving license is valid in Nepal. Major road routes: Delhi to Kathmandu via Sunauli (~1,200 km), Patna to Kathmandu via Raxaul (~400 km). Carry vehicle registration and insurance.

Passport is mandatory only for air travel to Nepal. At land borders, you can enter with Aadhaar card, voter ID, or any government photo ID. However, passport is recommended for better identification.

Children need passport for flights to Nepal. At land borders, children can enter with Aadhaar card or birth certificate. It is recommended to carry birth certificate regardless of travel mode.

Travel insurance is not required but strongly recommended, especially for trekking and adventure activities. Mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation insurance is essential for treks above 3,000m.

No, there is no requirement for a return ticket. Indians can stay in Nepal as long as they want under the bilateral treaty. One-way tickets are perfectly fine.

No, hotel booking is not required for entry. You can find accommodation on arrival. In tourist areas like Thamel (Kathmandu) and Lakeside (Pokhara), walk-in hotels are available from ₹500/night.

Accepted at land borders: Aadhaar card, voter ID, passport, government photo ID. Passport is the most reliable and universally accepted. Digital Aadhaar (mAadhaar) may not be accepted - carry physical copy.

There is NO limit on how long Indian citizens can stay in Nepal. Under the bilateral treaty, Indians can stay indefinitely - weeks, months, or years without any visa or permit.

Yes, Indian citizens can work in Nepal without a work visa under the bilateral treaty. However, some employers may require specific documentation. Government and security jobs may have restrictions.

Yes, Indian citizens can study in Nepal without a student visa. Many Indian students attend medical, engineering, and other colleges in Nepal. Direct admission process with Indian credentials.

Indian citizens cannot buy land or property in Nepal as per Nepali law. However, Indians can rent property and live in Nepal freely. Some investment options may be available through registered companies.

Yes, trekking permits (TIMS card) are required for most trekking routes regardless of nationality. Cost: ~$20 per trek. Arranged through trekking agencies or tourism board office in Kathmandu.

The India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship (1950) allows citizens of both countries to freely enter, reside, work, and carry on trade in each other's territory without any visa or permit.

You need at least one valid ID: passport (for flights) or Aadhaar/voter ID (for land borders). While the treaty allows free movement, identification is still needed for security purposes.

Yes, direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Varanasi, Bengaluru, and other cities to Kathmandu. Airlines: Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, Nepal Airlines, Buddha Air. Flight time: 1.5-3 hours.

Yes, Nepal is very safe and welcoming for Indian tourists. Cultural similarities, language overlap (Hindi widely understood), and large Indian presence make it extremely comfortable.

October-November (autumn) is the best time - clear skies, perfect weather, and festival season (Dashain, Tihar). March-April is second best for trekking and wildlife. Avoid monsoon (June-September).

Yes, Indian Rupee is widely accepted in Nepal. Exchange rate: 1 INR = 1.6 NPR. IMPORTANT: Notes of ₹200, ₹500, and ₹2,000 denomination are NOT accepted. Carry ₹100 and smaller notes.

Indian SIM cards work near the border but not reliably in central Nepal. Get a Nepali SIM (NTC or Ncell) at the airport or in Thamel for ₹200-500 with data. Wi-Fi available in hotels and cafes.

Must-do: Everest Base Camp trek, Annapurna Circuit, Pokhara lakeside, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Chitwan jungle safari, Lumbini (Buddha birthplace), paragliding in Pokhara, bungee jumping.

Yes, vegetarian food is widely available. Dal Bhat (rice and lentils) is the national dish and often vegetarian. Tourist areas have Indian, Italian, and continental restaurants with veg options.

Yes, Everest Base Camp trek does not require mountaineering skills. It is a challenging but doable trek for fit individuals. Requires 12-14 days, basic fitness, and proper acclimatization. Hire a guide for safety.

Yes, Nepal is a popular honeymoon destination. Pokhara lakeside, Nagarkot sunrise views, jungle resort in Chitwan, and boutique hotels in Kathmandu offer romantic experiences at affordable prices.

Major festivals: Dashain (Oct - biggest festival), Tihar/Deepawali (Nov - festival of lights), Holi (Mar), Indra Jatra (Sep), Buddha Jayanti (May). Festivals bring colorful celebrations and local cultural experiences.

Yes, Indians can volunteer in Nepal without any special visa. Many NGOs in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and rural areas accept volunteers. No work permit needed for Indian citizens under bilateral treaty.

Nepali food has similarities to North Indian cuisine but is distinct. Dal Bhat (rice, lentils, vegetables) is the staple. Momos (dumplings) are extremely popular. Indian restaurants are widely available in tourist areas.

Budget trek (self-guided): ₹2,000-3,000/day. Guided trek with porter: ₹4,000-6,000/day. Everest Base Camp trek (14 days): ₹50,000-1,00,000 total. Trekking permits extra (~₹1,500-2,000).

Above 3,000m: ascend slowly (max 500m/day), stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, carry Diamox (consult doctor), know symptoms (headache, nausea, dizziness). Descend immediately if symptoms worsen.

Yes, but you need a Chinese visa and Tibet permit (arranged through tour agency). Indians cannot enter Tibet independently - must join an organized tour. Popular route: Kathmandu to Lhasa.

UPI is not widely accepted in Nepal yet. Carry Indian Rupee cash (₹100 and smaller notes), withdraw Nepali Rupees from ATMs, or use international cards at hotels and restaurants in tourist areas.

Options: Tourist bus (6-7 hours, ₹500-1,000), domestic flight (25 minutes, ₹3,000-5,000), private car (5-6 hours, ₹5,000-8,000). Tourist bus is the most popular option for budget travelers.