South Asia draws millions of visitors every year, and each of its five main tourist destinations has its own distinct entry system — from a simple free-on-arrival stamp to a government-managed daily fee that covers accommodation and a guide. This guide walks through what to expect at each border and what to arrange before you fly.
Always verify before you travel. Entry requirements change without notice. The information below is a general overview only. Check the official government immigration websites of the country you are visiting, and consult your own government's travel advisory for the latest rules for your specific nationality. Never rely on a single source — including this one — for entry decisions.
India: the e-Visa system
India operates an extensive e-Visa programme that covers most visiting nationalities for tourism, business, medical visits and e-Conference purposes. For tourism, the e-Tourist Visa is available for stays of up to 30 days (double entry), 1 year or 5 years depending on the tier you apply for, with conditions varying by nationality.
Applications are made online at the official Indian government immigration portal before you travel — typically at least four business days before your arrival date, though applying a week or more ahead is safer. You receive a confirmation by email that you print or store on your phone; there is no physical visa label in your passport. The fee varies by nationality and visa type.
On arrival, e-Visa holders use designated immigration lanes at approved airports and ports; not all entry points are e-Visa-eligible, so check that your arrival point is on the approved list. A small number of nationalities are not eligible for the e-Visa and must apply for a traditional visa at an Indian embassy or consulate before travel.
India does not currently allow entry from Pakistan and Bangladesh at all land borders for most foreign nationals; cross-border overland travel is tightly restricted. If you are planning to enter from Nepal, Bhutan or Bangladesh, confirm which specific land border posts are open to foreign nationals before you arrive.
Nepal: visa on arrival and online
Nepal is one of the more straightforward entries in South Asia. Most nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at several major land border crossings. Visa on arrival fees are payable in US dollars, euros or a handful of other major currencies (cards are accepted at some counters but cash is safer). You will need a passport-sized photograph; the terminals at the airport have photo booths if you forget.
Nepal also offers an online visa application through the official Department of Immigration website, which allows you to pre-fill your details and obtain a visa number before you arrive, potentially speeding up the queue. Payment is still often completed on arrival at the airport, but the pre-registration makes the process smoother.
Standard tourist visas are available for 15, 30 or 90 days and can be extended inside Nepal at the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Indian nationals do not need a visa and can enter freely. A small number of other nationalities are not permitted to enter or face different rules — check specifically for your passport.
If you are crossing from India overland, the main approved land crossings for foreign nationals include Sunauli (from Varanasi), Kakarbhitta (from Darjeeling) and Kodari/Rasuwa (from Kathmandu-side Tibet — though this crossing is more often used for China crossings). See the Viamo visa guide for general guidance on checking visa eligibility.
Sri Lanka: the ETA
Sri Lanka requires most nationalities to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before arrival. The ETA is applied for online through the official Sri Lanka ETA website, typically processes within 24 hours (though it can take longer at busy periods), and must be obtained before you land — unlike Nepal, there is no visa-on-arrival system for most nationalities.
The ETA covers short-stay tourism visits of up to 30 days, extendable inside the country. Citizens of the Maldives and Singapore are exempt. Indian nationals have at times been offered a simplified or fee-waived ETA under bilateral arrangements, but this changes periodically — check current rules.
Sri Lanka has also periodically experimented with free ETA schemes for citizens of specific countries as tourism promotion measures; confirm what applies to your nationality at the time of travel. When you arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (Colombo) or Mattala airport, carry a printout or have the ETA approval on your phone.
Bhutan: the daily sustainable development fee
Bhutan takes a deliberately different approach to tourism. Rather than a simple visa fee, almost all foreign visitors (with the exception of Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals, who have their own simpler arrangements) must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) currently set at USD 100 per person per night for most nationalities, as part of the country's high-value, low-impact tourism policy. This fee is paid through a registered Bhutanese tour operator, and all foreign visitors must book their trip through such an operator.
The requirement to use a licensed tour operator means independent travel in the backpacker sense is not possible in Bhutan. Your operator handles all permits, guides, transport and accommodation as part of an all-inclusive package. The visa itself is issued electronically through the Tourism Council of Bhutan's system once your tour operator has confirmed your booking and you have paid the SDF deposit.
You must arrive with your visa clearance letter printed or saved; Bhutan's main entry point for air arrivals is Paro International Airport. The daily fee, the visa fee and the operator arrangement collectively make Bhutan the most carefully managed — and most expensive per-day — entry in South Asia. Allow several weeks for the full booking and visa process before travel.
Maldives: free on arrival
The Maldives operates one of the simplest entry systems in the world for tourists: most nationalities receive a free 30-day visitor stamp on arrival with no advance visa required. You need a valid passport, a confirmed return or onward flight, proof of sufficient funds, and a confirmed accommodation booking (in practice, your resort booking). The entry is straightforward and fast at Velana International Airport (Malé).
The Maldives restricts the importation of alcohol (it is illegal to bring it in), certain religious materials, pork products, and pornographic material. Israeli nationals have at various times faced travel restrictions to the Maldives; confirm the current position before booking if this applies to you.
One important practical note: most tourists in the Maldives stay in resort islands that require a speedboat or domestic flight from Malé — factor this transfer cost and time into your planning. The transfer can add one to two hours and a significant cost on top of your international flight.
Health requirements across South Asia
Health documentation requirements vary by country and by where you have been before. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required by India, Nepal and several other South Asian countries if you are arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. See the Viamo health and vaccinations guide for a general overview, and consult a travel health clinic before visiting South Asia — malaria prophylaxis, typhoid, hepatitis A and rabies vaccinations are worth discussing depending on your itinerary. India in particular has an extensive rail network that lets you cover large distances, but rural travel brings different health considerations from city stays.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a visa on arrival for India?
Most nationalities cannot get a traditional visa on arrival in India; instead, you apply online for an e-Visa before you travel. A small number of nationalities are not eligible for any e-Visa and must use an Indian embassy. Check the official Indian government immigration website for your specific passport.
How much does it cost to visit Bhutan?
Most foreign nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night, plus visa fees, on top of the cost of a mandatory tour operator package. Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals have different, more relaxed arrangements. Fees and policies can change; check with the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Do I need an ETA for Sri Lanka in advance?
Yes, most nationalities must apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorisation before arrival at Sri Lanka's airports. There is no on-arrival visa for most nationalities. The official ETA application is through the Sri Lanka ETA website.
Is the Maldives visa-free for most tourists?
Yes. Most nationalities receive a free 30-day visitor entry stamp on arrival, with no advance visa required. You will need confirmed accommodation, an onward or return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds.
Sources and further reading:
- India e-Visa: Government of India official immigration and visa website (indianvisaonline.gov.in).
- Nepal visa: Department of Immigration Nepal (immigration.gov.np).
- Sri Lanka ETA: Sri Lanka Department of Immigration and Emigration (eta.gov.lk).
- Bhutan visa and SDF: Tourism Council of Bhutan (tourism.gov.bt).
- Maldives entry: Maldives Immigration (immigration.gov.mv).
- Health requirements: World Health Organization; your own government's travel advisory.