Country guide · South Asia
Nepali citizens do not need an Indian visa or a passport to travel to India for treatment when they come from Nepal by land or air. The Bureau of Immigration only asks them to carry an identity document with a photograph, issued by the government, that shows their nationality. Different rules apply if you travel through a third country.
| Country | Nepal |
| Indian e-Visa (e-Medical) | No visa required for nationals, per Indian immigration rules — see sources |
| IndiaMedica edition | English |
Do Nepali patients need a visa for India?
No, in most cases. The Bureau of Immigration states that citizens of Nepal arriving in India from Nepal by land or air are exempt from passport and visa requirements. You must carry a government-approved photo identity document showing that you are a citizen of Nepal.
When is a passport needed?
A passport is needed when you enter or leave India to or from a country other than Nepal. For example, a patient who flies home through a Gulf airport would need a valid passport. The Bureau of Immigration adds a stricter rule for one group of routes. Nepali citizens entering India from China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan must hold a passport and an Indian visa.
Which identity document should you carry?
Carry the document you would use at the border and keep a copy with your hospital papers. A passport, where you have one, is the simplest choice for a hospital admission. Hospitals register international patients and will usually ask to see an identity document at admission. Ask the hospital’s international desk in advance which document it will accept for registration and billing.
What should a patient from Nepal prepare?
- Your photo identity document and one for each family member travelling with you.
- Recent reports, scans on CD or as DICOM files, and current prescriptions.
- A referral letter or summary from your doctor in Nepal.
- Any discharge summaries from earlier hospital stays.
- A short list of questions for the specialist, written down before the first consultation.
Does an attendant need any special paperwork?
A Nepali attendant follows the same visa-free rule as the patient. There is no attendant visa to apply for when you both travel from Nepal. The hospital may still ask for the attendant’s identity document and contact details. Choose an attendant who can stay for the whole admission and can help with medicines after discharge.
Is language support available?
IndiaMedica writes in plain English. Hospitals in large cities usually have an international patient desk. If you would like a Hindi- or Nepali-speaking coordinator, ask us when you send your reports. We will pass the request to the hospital.
How does IndiaMedica help Nepali patients?
Because there is no visa step, your planning can focus on the medical side. We review your reports free of charge and share them with suitable hospitals, with your consent. The treating specialist decides what treatment is suitable and how long you should stay. We help you plan arrival, stay and follow-up at home.
Questions people ask
Can I fly from Kathmandu to India without a passport?
The Bureau of Immigration says Nepali citizens travelling from Nepal to India by air do not need a passport or visa if they carry a government-approved photo identity document showing nationality. Airlines may set their own document checks. Confirm with your airline before you book.
What if I travel to India through another country?
Then you need a valid passport. If you enter India from China, Macau, Hong Kong or Pakistan, you also need an Indian visa. Plan a direct route from Nepal where you can, as it keeps the paperwork simple during a medical trip.
Does IndiaMedica charge Nepali patients for a case review?
No. The case review is free. Partner hospitals pay IndiaMedica a referral fee that we disclose. It never changes the price you pay the hospital, and it never decides which hospital we suggest.
Sources
- Bureau of Immigration: Visa-free regime and visa on arrival
- Bureau of Immigration: General guidelines
General information, not medical or legal advice. Rules change: confirm with the official source. How we write and check.