How to Get NOC from the Indian Embassy in Nepal?

You're an Indian national. You're in Nepal. You have a flight booked to Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok, or literally anywhere that isn't India. You get to the airport. And the airline won't let you board.

Multiple travelers flying out of Kathmandu to Singapore and Hong Kong have reported being denied boarding because they didn't have this one document. People who flew the same route a year earlier had no issue, because enforcement has tightened.

That document is the Third Country No Objection Certificate, or NOC. And if you're Indian and flying from Nepal to any country other than India, you need it. Full stop.

This guide covers everything: what it is, who exactly needs it, how to get it, what documents to bring, how much it costs, and the real-world things forums and official sites don't fully explain.

What Is the Third Country NOC?

The Third Country NOC is an official certificate issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. It confirms that the Indian government has no objection to an Indian national traveling from Nepal to a third country. All Indian nationals require this certificate to travel to any third country from Nepal.

Think of it as a clearance letter. Nepal and India share an open border, which makes it easy for Indian nationals to enter Nepal without going through standard immigration channels. The NOC is the Indian government's way of ensuring that when you leave Nepal for a foreign destination, everything checks out.

Enforcement of this requirement has become noticeably stricter since early-to-mid 2024, primarily due to concerns around misuse of travel documents, human trafficking, and tax evasion. Airport immigration in Kathmandu is now significantly more vigilant about verifying this.

So if you've heard from someone that they flew out of Kathmandu without an NOC a couple of years ago, that experience may no longer apply.

Who Needs the NOC?

This is where a lot of confusion happens, so let's be specific.

• You need the NOC if you are:
• An Indian passport holder in Nepal flying to any country other than India
• A long-term Indian resident in Nepal traveling internationally
• An Indian national with permanent residency or a special visa in another country who is currently in Nepal

The NOC is mandatory for all Indian passport holders irrespective of permanent residences or special visas in third countries. So having a UAE residence visa or a Singapore PR doesn't exempt you. The NOC is still required.

You do NOT need the NOC if you are:

• An Indian air passenger transiting through Nepal without clearing immigration. So if you're connecting through Kathmandu but never step into the immigration hall, you're fine.
• Traveling directly from Nepal to India
• Traveling on a Diplomatic or Official Indian passport, or a United Nations passport.

Now, there's one gray area that real travelers have raised in forums. What if you flew from, say, Dubai to Kathmandu, and you're now flying back to Dubai? The route is A to B back to A, not A to B to C.

Travelers who verified this directly with Kathmandu airport immigration officers were told that if you're returning to the same country you came from, the NOC is not required. But here's the problem: the Indian Embassy has not been transparent about this on their website, and written inquiries to the embassy have gone unanswered according to multiple forum users. The official advisory on the embassy website makes no mention of this A-B-A exception. 

The practical advice? If there's any doubt about your route, get the NOC. Missing a flight because of a document dispute is a much worse outcome than spending half a day at the embassy.

What Documents Do You Need for the NOC?

Bring all of this. Don't assume you can get photocopies at the last minute.

If you are registered with the Indian Embassy in Nepal:

• Original passport plus photocopies of the first and last pages
• Original Indian Registration Certificate plus a photocopy
• Copy of your confirmed flight ticket
• Valid visa or travel permit for the destination country
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• NPR 3,100 in cash for the consular fee

For Indian nationals not registered with the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, a copy of your passport page displaying your latest immigration stamps is required instead of the Registration Certificate.

A few practical notes here. Bring cash in Nepali rupees. The embassy does not run a digital payment system for this. Also, double-check that your destination country visa is still valid when you apply, not just when you travel. The officer reviewing your documents will check both.

How to Get the NOC: Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare your documents at home

Go through the document list above and make sure you have originals and photocopies ready before you leave. There are copy shops near Lainchaur if you forget something, but sorting it in advance means you're not scrambling before you even walk in.

Step 2: Go in person to the Indian Embassy, Kathmandu

The application process requires in-person submission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. There is no online or postal option for this. The Consular Section is at Lainchaur, Kathmandu. Based on real traveler accounts, consular working hours are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 12:30 PM. The embassy website doesn't prominently display these hours, which is a fair criticism. 

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu organizes an Open House for Indian nationals on the first Wednesday of every calendar month in the Consular Wing Hall from 10:30 to 11:30 AM. If you have general questions before applying, this is a good time to show up and ask.

Step 3: Submit your documents at the consular counter

Hand over your complete document set. The officer will review everything. The NOC is issued after an interview and due examination of documents. The interview is typically brief, just a few questions about your travel purpose and destination. Go in relaxed and be straightforward with your answers.

Step 4: Pay the fee

The consular fee for issuing the Third Country NOC is NPR 3,100. Pay at the fee counter and keep your receipt.

Step 5: Come back to collect after three working days

Applicants must submit their documents in person within three working days from the date of departure to get the NOC. Three working days is the processing window, not three calendar days. Weekends and public holidays don't count. If you submit on a Monday, your NOC won't be ready before Thursday at the earliest. 

Step 6: Collect and verify

When you receive the NOC, check the spelling of your name, your passport number, and your destination country before you leave the counter. Errors are uncommon but possible.

Can You Get the NOC Online?

No. There's no online application, no email submission, no WhatsApp process, nothing of that sort.

Multiple travelers have tried contacting the embassy by email and phone and received no response. The only way to get the NOC is to physically show up at the consular section.The Embassy of India does have an online appointment booking system for various consular services. It's worth checking whether this applies to NOC applications at indembkathmandu.gov.in before your visit, as the embassy has been improving its digital infrastructure. But walk-ins during consular hours remain the standard practice for most applicants.

One more thing worth saying clearly: the embassy does not recognize or receive applications through any agents, education consultants, or middlemen. Applications submitted through third parties will not be entertained. If someone tells you they can "arrange" the NOC for an extra fee, that's not how this works.

How Much Does the NOC Cost?

The official consular fee is NPR 3,100. That's it. No service charge, no facilitation fee, nothing extra paid to the embassy.

Some older sources online still quote NPR 2,940. The current official advisory on the embassy website states NPR 3,100. Always verify at indembkathmandu.gov.in before your visit, since fees can change.

How Long Does It Take to Get the NOC?

Three working days. That's the standard timeline and there's no expedited or urgent option.

Plan accordingly. If you're flying on a Friday, your ideal submission window is the Monday of the same week at the latest. If there's a public holiday in between, push your submission earlier.

In practice, some travelers have received their NOC in two working days during quieter periods, but that's not guaranteed and you shouldn't plan around it.

A sensible buffer is to apply five to seven working days before your travel date. This protects you if there's a document issue on your first visit, or if the embassy has a high volume week.

What Happens If You Don't Have the NOC?

Failure to present the NOC will result in the airline denying you boarding. This isn't a theoretical risk. Qatar Airways has issued an official advisory about this. IndiGo has it listed in their visa information for Nepal. 

Once denied boarding, your original flight ticket may become void, forcing you to rebook at additional expense. This can also lead to missed connecting flights and significant financial and logistical losses.

The NOC isn't bureaucratic paperwork you can talk your way around at check-in. Airlines have been briefed. Immigration officers have been briefed. The only safe option is to get it done before you go to the airport.

The A-B-A Route: What Real Travelers Say

This is worth a dedicated section because it keeps coming up.

The situation: You entered Nepal from, say, Malaysia. You're now flying back to Malaysia. Do you need an NOC?

According to multiple accounts from April 2024, Kathmandu immigration officers confirmed that if you're returning to the same country you departed from, the NOC is not required. The rule, as described by these officers, applies to travel from Country A to Nepal to a different Country C.

But. The official embassy advisory does not state this exception clearly. And the embassy has not clarified this in writing despite travelers writing to them.

The risk of assuming the A-B-A exemption is real. If an airline's ground staff applies the official rule rather than the immigration officer's interpretation, you could be denied boarding regardless.

The safest call: if you're flying back to the same country you came from and you have time, confirm directly with the airline and with the embassy consular section before your departure day.

Can You Get a Police Clearance Certificate from the Indian Embassy in Nepal?

Yes. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu processes Police Clearance Certificates for Indian nationals based in Nepal.

A PCC is completely separate from the NOC. It's typically needed for immigration applications, international employment, or background checks. The documents and fee differ from those for the NOC.

For current PCC requirements, check the consular services section at indembkathmandu.gov.in or visit the consular counter directly. Both the NOC and PCC require your physical presence.

How to Get NOC from Nepal Embassy in Delhi: Clearing Up the Confusion

This question appears in a lot of search results and causes genuine confusion. Let's sort it out.

The Nepal Embassy in New Delhi is a Nepali government institution. It handles documents and services for Nepali nationals and those dealing with Nepal-related matters while in India.

The Third Country NOC for Indian nationals leaving Nepal is issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. These are two completely separate institutions in two different countries with completely different functions.

If you're a Nepali national in India and you need an NOC to travel to a third country from India, you'd approach the Nepal Embassy at Barakhamba Road, New Delhi. That's a different process governed by different rules.

For Indian nationals in Nepal needing travel clearance to fly to a third country: the only relevant authority is the Embassy of India, Lainchaur, Kathmandu.

What About Registering with the Indian Embassy in Nepal?

If you're an Indian national who's been living in Nepal for more than six months, registering with the embassy is recommended.

Registration helps the embassy know you're present in the country, and it simplifies certain consular processes, including the NOC application. If you're registered, you bring your Indian Registration Certificate to the NOC submission. If you're not, you substitute it with a copy of your passport page showing your latest immigration stamps.

To register, Indian nationals fill out an online application form at indembkathmandu.gov.in/register.php, print it, and then submit in person at the embassy. It's a separate process from the NOC but worth doing if you haven't already.

Quick Reference: NOC from Indian Embassy Nepal 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I apply for the NOC before my travel date?

Apply at least five to seven working days before your flight. The minimum processing time is three working days, but the buffer protects you if documents are incomplete or the embassy has a busy week.

Is the NOC required if I'm flying from Nepal back to India?

No. The NOC applies to travel from Nepal to any country other than India. Flying directly back to India doesn't require it.

Can I apply for the NOC for a family member?

No. The application requires the passport holder to appear in person. No proxy submissions are accepted.

What if I forget one document?

Your application won't be processed. The officer will tell you what's missing and you'll need to return with the complete set, which resets your three-day processing window.

Does having a long-term visa or permanent residency in another country exempt me from the NOC? No. The NOC is mandatory for all Indian passport holders irrespective of permanent residences or special visas in third countries. 

Is there an appointment system for the NOC?

The embassy has an online appointment system for various services. Check indembkathmandu.gov.in to see if it applies to NOC applications before your visit.

What if my flight date changes after I've collected the NOC?

Contact the consular section directly. The NOC is issued for a specific travel date, so changes may require you to apply again.

A Practical Note Before You Go

The embassy website is, to be fair, not the most user-friendly. Working hours aren't prominently displayed. The A-B-A route question remains unanswered on the official page. And calling or emailing has a low success rate based on what travelers consistently report.

The best approach is simple. Go to indembkathmandu.gov.in for the latest official advisory before you visit. Prepare your full document set in advance. Show up early in the morning on a weekday. And build the three-day processing time into your travel planning, not as an afterthought.

This one document can determine whether you board your flight or spend money rebooking it. It's worth treating seriously.

The information in this guide reflects official advisories and traveler accounts as of 2026. Consular fees, hours, and document requirements can change. Always verify current details directly at indembkathmandu.gov.in before visiting.