Visa renewal in kathmandu

bigzeeee

I need to get a tourists visa as my current employment visa is going to run out in the next two months. I was hoping to cross the border into Nepal at Sunauli and then get a tourist visa on my way back into India. Is that possible or do i have to go all the way to Kathmandu to the Embassy there? If it's possible at Sunauli, then how long does it take?

Thanks a lot!

edwardseco

Never heard of a tourist visa at the border for India! Go to KTM and join the line.
Cheers..

indira

hy

i was wondering if atleast one can cross the border at sanuali and get back in india. i have a one year visa and my 180 days are about to expire.
and how long i need to stay on the nepal side.

thanks.

Amandar

I have heard that you can go to a place called Banbasa on the Nepal boarder which is not so far from Delhi. This is on the boarder and you just get your visa there, you do not need to go to Katmando, and you do not need to get a visa to enter Nepal, they just ask if you are just wanting to return to India.

I also heard you could do the same thing at Raksul boarder.

Please let me know what you find out, as I am going to have to do this very soon myself.

Darwish

Excuse me Amandar. Is there a consulate in Banbasa??!! Can you get an Indian visa there? I don't think so. If you HAVE still some indian visa but you must leave because of the 180 days rule, THEN you could use Banbasa or kakkarvita. Just stay 1 day, or 2 minutes. and go back, get a fresh indian stamp. Nepal offers a 3 days transit visa free of cost. (maybe 100Rs though)

I recommend you to use these border crossings and not the ones which connects to bandit area's (North eastern UP and BIHAR) Some people there LOVE to steal things from pour travalars.

edwardseco

Here is a thought. For your visa are we talking validity (time it can be employed in) or extent (length of stay)? I have a 10 year multiple entry and its 180 days at a time so I can do the border hop and return although you can also "tip" the border guards to say you did. If yours is the same nature you are in luck. If its says 180 day stay maximum for the validity of the visa you are screwed. Same if it says single entry. The one year vallas are what they are slowly (glacially) moving to instead of the 6 months start on issue types. Would love to see a scan of your visa. There is a chance you don't need to do the KTM thing depending..

Amandar

Hi Edwardesco,

Thanks for your response. I was really glad to hear of the dangers of using the Bambasa crossing, and that the information I had been given was not so safe. I am a woman traveling on my own so safety is real issue, so grateful to hear what you said. I will use the offical places.

Maybe you could help me with one quick thing. I am really new to all this. I live in Gujarat and work at a school and have a one work visa which will expire in May and then I want to travel. The school will not extend the visa, so I need to go and get a tourist visa. As I am from the UK, I understand I can only get a six month visa. Money is a little tight, Indian Salary, so I want to be as economical as possible. I was thinking of getting the train up to Nepal and then getting a 6 month visa extension.
1.Do I need a visa to go to Nepal from India, if I am just wanting to get a visa to go back to India.
2.I will be going probably via Delhi, where do you recommend getting the visa is it in KTM?
If you can help with either of these questions I would be grateful as you seem to have a knowlege of these things and I felt reassured reading your previous response.

If you are unable to reply, I thank you again for your feedback, has helped me start planning my post 'teaching' travel, which I am still a bit nervous about, so thank you I feel more confident about going to an ofical place.

edwardseco

You can train to Gorakhpur and then bus to the border. You can get a visa for Nepal either in Delhi or at the border, will be necessary in your case given the time requirements. Cost 30 USD (can pay in Sterling, a picture and possibly a copy of your passport. Then its a tough but scenic bus ride to KTM where it should take roughly 5 working days to get a tourist visa from the Indian embassy there. No other way I am afraid. However, tons of people take the visa run this way so you may well find company. Watch out for bus scams like paying for the ticket in advance..

Amandar

Thanks Edwardseco - that really helps and I feel a lot more relaxed having that information. Best Wishes, and happy traveling. Amanda

Darwish

Advance payment for bus is only one of the risky scams in hat god forsaken area of Gorakhpur!!! Be very VERY aware there at any times!!! there are always bandits out with the intention to grab some money fro you.

cool blue

I remember an Indian consulate was opened in Birgunj (across the border from Raxaul). We tried a number of times to find out if it would issue visas but when I left nepal (Late 2005) it still had not been clarified. Might be worth checking out. Good luck

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