For Indian citizens the crossing is simple: no visa and no immigration stamp, only a valid passport or voter ID that may be checked by Nepal's Armed Police Force or Indian Sashastra Seema Bal at the line. Our representative meets you at a fixed point in Sonauli, helps with porters if needed and walks with you through the arched gateway into Belahiya.
Foreign nationals must get an Indian exit stamp at the Sonauli immigration office and then a Nepal visa and entry stamp at the Belahiya immigration office, a few hundred metres apart. Nepal visas on arrival are issued here for most nationalities: 15, 30 or 90 days, paid in US dollars, with a passport photo and the online or paper form. Allow 30–60 minutes depending on queues.
If you arrive in an Indian car, the driver must obtain a vehicle pass at the Bhairahawa customs office before the car goes further into Nepal. We help with paperwork and suggest a fixed pick-up time. The whole crossing usually takes one to two hours, after which you continue to Lumbini in our Nepal vehicle or your own.
Good for
- First-timers
- Families
- Seniors
- Groups
Questions travellers ask
What documents do Indians need at the Sonauli border?
Indian citizens need a valid passport or an Election Commission voter ID card. Under current rules, children under 15 and adults over 65 can usually show another photo ID with proof of age, such as Aadhaar, PAN card or driving licence, and students aged 15–18 may use a school ID. Check current status before you travel.
Can foreigners get a Nepal visa at Belahiya?
Yes. Most nationalities can get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Belahiya: 15, 30 or 90 days, priced in US dollars, with a passport valid for six months and a photo. Some nationalities must apply in advance. Visa fees and lists change, so check current status before you travel.
How long does the Sonauli border crossing take?
For Indian citizens on foot, about 15–30 minutes including any ID check. Foreign nationals should allow 1–2 hours for Indian exit and Nepal visa formalities. Vehicles crossing with a customs pass can take one to two hours more, especially on weekends and during the festival season.
