Do We Need a Passport For Nepal?

Nepal is one of the most visited neighbouring countries of India. It is the home to the highest mountain peak, Mount Everest, and is also known to be culturally rich and diverse. Although India shares cordial relationships with the country, you still should know the legal requirements of being a Nepal tourist. 

The first and foremost thing that comes to mind is the need for a passport. In order to travel from India to Nepal, you should carry a passport. If you fulfill all the travel requirements, travelling to Nepal to explore its untamed beauty will be the best decision of your life.  

Why is Nepal the best country for a short vacation?

Before understanding the rules and regulations for a visa and passport for Nepal, let us take a quick look at what makes Nepal the perfect tourist destination for a short vacation.

1. Nepal is famous due to the diversity of its culture. Since the country had a monarchy,  you can still see glimpses of the royal heritage in some parts of the country.  On the other hand, certain areas have adopted modern culture and lifestyle. So, it’s evident that you will find both traditional and new-age cultural variations and richness in this country.
2. Lumbini and Kathmandu valley are two famous UNESCO-protected heritage sites in Nepal that attract hundreds of tourists annually. Apart from this, several Buddhist monasteries, temples from medieval times, stupas, and other incredible heritage sites in Nepal will keep you captivated.
3. The Nepalese culture is said to be polite, hospitable, and friendly. The people living in the country understand the values of harmony, peace, brotherhood, and so on. That’s why you will never feel out of place when you visit Nepal.
4. As a Nepal tourist, you can munch on some of the most amazing delicacies native to the country. Dal bhat, or steamed white rice with lentil Curry, is supposedly the country’s national food and is also quite popular. Apart from this, sel roti, gundruk, yomari, tongba, thukpa, wo-newari pancakes, homemade dumplings, piping hot soups, and so on are some of the best dishes you can try during your vacation too.
5. Apart from being culturally rich and welcoming, Nepal is the perfect place for an adventurous vacation. The first and foremost thing you can do in Nepal is visit the Mount Everest. Apart from this, you can go trekking up different mountains like Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, and so on.

Do you need a passport as a Nepal tourist? 

Nepal might be the closest neighbouring country to India and share the best diplomatic relationship. Still, every Indian traveling to Nepal should have proper travel documents. Many people think that being the closest country, there is no need to get a passport or visa. However, the government has changed travel rules to maintain security and prevent crime.

That being said, you have to carry a valid Indian passport authorized by the government when you want to travel to Nepal. Alternatively, you can also carry an election card issued by the Indian government if you do not have a passport. But an application should be submitted to the immigration office before you can enter Nepal.

What are the prerequisites of a visa for travelling to Nepal from India?

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. The Immigration Office, TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) under the Department of Immigration, facilitates Visa on Arrival to all tourists flying from India to Nepal. The ‘On Arrival’ visa issuance process is very quick and simple. Following are the steps to be taken care of:

1. Fill in the ‘Arrival Card ‘.
2. Fill in the online ‘Tourist Visa ‘form. This form can be filled out prior to arriving in Nepal by visiting the official website of the Department of Immigration.
3. If you fill it out from the website, you will get a Receipt with a barcode. Bring along a printout  for acquiring a visa. The receipt remains valid for fifteen days.
4. Pay the visa fee at the bank according to your visa requirement (of 15/30/90 Days)
5. Get the receipt.
6. Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form,  payment receipts and your passport.
7. Submit your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. 

Visa fees for Nepal tourist from India

The visa fees depends on the duration of your stay.

1. ₹2,500 for 15 days of travel timeline for multiple visits
2. ₹4,000 for 30 days of travel with multiple visits
3. ₹10,000 with multiple visits for 90 days

What are the consequences you can face for violating travel laws?

One has to face several legal and immigration consequences if the person doesn’t carry a passport while travelling to Nepal and a visa. Following is a brief glimpse of what you may have to go through if you still need to submit the concerned documents.

1. Entering the country without visa will lead to detention at the embassy. You will be allowed to enter the country only if you have got your visa approved on arrival.
2. Also, if you carry your Pan Card or Aadhar Card, you will be deported back to your country because these documents are not considered proof of nationality in Nepal.
3. If the passport is not renewed or the last two pages are not empty, your visa application for Nepal can get cancelled. 

How to spend your vacation carefree in Nepal?

The best time to visit Nepal varies according to how you want to spend your vacation. For instance, if you love snow and the cold weather of the mountains, the best time will be from November to February. But if you want to see the vibrant side of Nepal, March to mid-July will be a fantastic time to visit. Try not to choose the monsoon months as there are occasional floods and the roads usually get blocked.

Apart from this, you can also get the Niyo Global card to manage all your expenses in Nepal. Since it is accepted in more than 150 countries with multi-currency,  you won’t face any problem making payments online or by card swipe. There is no need to carry too much cash in an unknown land or wander around to find an ATM, all thanks to the built-in ATM locator feature  in the Niyo Global mobile app.

This card will help you monitor your transactions and give you security, as you can lock or unlock the card from the app in case you misplace it.

Conclusion 

Now that you know the rules and regulations for a Nepal tourist with Indian nationality, you shouldn’t delay submitting the visa application form at the embassy. It would be best if you submit the form before your travel to avoid any hassle at the immigration centre in Nepal. Also, carry a hard copy and photocopy of the Indian passport to prevent being stuck in any legal issue.