What do I need to travel to India as a Nepali?

नेपालीलाई भारत जान के के चाहिन्छ?

Nepalis don't need a visa for India. Flying needs a passport or citizenship. You can carry up to ₹25,000 in ₹200 and ₹500 notes since Shrawan 2083.

Short answer

Nepali citizens don't need a visa to visit India, except when entering India from China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or Pakistan. To fly, carry your passport or your citizenship certificate. Since Shrawan 2083 Nepal Rastra Bank lets Nepali and Indian citizens carry up to ₹25,000 each in the newer ₹200 and ₹500 notes. Smaller notes follow the normal rules, and the old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes withdrawn in 2016 can't be carried at all. If you're flying from an Indian airport to a Gulf country for work, you need a travel NOC from the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi.

The details

Indian currency you can carry (from Shrawan 2083)

Notes	Rule
₹200 and ₹500 issued after 9 November 2016	Up to ₹25,000 per person, Nepali or Indian citizens
₹100 and smaller	Allowed under the normal rules
Old ₹500 and ₹1,000 withdrawn in 2016	Not allowed
Taking rupees to or from a third country	Not allowed for Nepali citizens

ID for flights

Traveller	Accepted
Nepali citizen	Passport or Nepali citizenship certificate
Indian citizen flying to Nepal	Passport or Indian voter ID

Common problems

Can I fly to India with just my citizenship?

Yes. The Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi says Nepali nationals need either a passport or a Nepali citizenship certificate to travel to India by air. Airlines can have their own rules, so check with yours before you fly.

Are ₹500 notes allowed now?

Yes, the new ones. From Shrawan 2083, Nepal Rastra Bank allows Nepali or Indian citizens to carry and exchange the ₹200 and ₹500 notes issued after 9 November 2016, up to ₹25,000 per person. Notes of ₹100 and below follow the normal rules. The old ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes are no longer legal tender in India and can't be carried or exchanged.

Can I take Indian rupees to a third country?

No. Nepal Rastra Bank doesn't allow Nepali citizens to take Indian rupees to any country other than India, or to bring them into Nepal from a third country.

I'm flying to Dubai for work from Delhi. What do I need?

A travel NOC from the Embassy of Nepal in New Delhi. It's needed only when Nepali nationals fly from an Indian airport to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Libya or Lebanon. You don't need one to fly home to Nepal from those countries through India.

I'm coming back from China through India.

You need an Indian visa if you enter India from China (including Hong Kong and Macau) or from Pakistan.

Can I bring goods back from India duty free?

Customs allowances for returning travellers don't apply to people crossing by land. Customs can let through personal items worth up to Rs 500.

Will my Nepali SIM work in India?

Activate international roaming with your operator before you travel and check its roaming rates and packs.

Sources

Verified

Checked against the official source on 13 Oct 2026.

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