Your Guide to Nepal Visa Requirements
With world-class trekking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting, historic cities, and abundant wildlife, it’s easy to understand why Nepal draws so many travelers from across the globe. Few countries fit so many thrilling landscapes—from the towering Himalayas to forested foothills and steamy lowlands—into such a small space.
Most Travelers Can Get a Nepali Visa on Arrival
Here’s the good news—most travelers will find the entry requirements for Nepal straightforward. Indian citizens do not need a tourist visa to enter the country, and most other tourists can obtain a 15-, 30-, or 90-day visa upon arrival. This includes visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, and most Western European countries.
Upon landing at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, you will need to fill in an arrival card and have your photo taken at one of the automatic registration machines. To save time, it’s advisable to complete this process online in advance (this must be done less than 15 days prior to arrival). If you wait until you land in Kathmandu, expect the process to take over an hour, involving a significant amount of queuing.
Once the necessary paperwork is completed, you must pay a visa fee of US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, or US$125 for 90 days at the payment counter. Children under the age of 10 typically do not need to pay for their tourist visas except for US citizens. Payment is accepted in various major currencies, but it’s advisable to bring small bills. Finally, proceed to the immigration desk with your arrival form, payment receipt, and passport, and enjoy your adventure in Nepal!
Crossing Into Nepal Overland
You can also enter Nepal overland through a series of border crossings in the Terai plains, including the bustling crossing at Sunauli/Bhairawa, which is accessible by bus from Delhi and Varanasi in India. You can still get a visa upon arrival at these land borders, but it’s wise to bring some passport photos, and you will need to pay the visa fee in cash in US dollars.
Getting a Visa in Advance Will Save Time
Even if you are eligible for a visa on arrival, the queues can be particularly slow at the Tribhuvan airport, especially during the October-November peak season. To save time, consider obtaining a tourist visa in advance from the Nepali embassy or consulate in your home country or the nearest embassy in a neighboring state.
If you secure a visa before traveling, you must enter the country within six months of the visa being issued; however, the 15-, 30-, or 90-day period begins upon arrival in Nepal. The Government of Nepal’s web portal has a full list of Nepali overseas missions.
Some Travelers Can Get a Free Visa
Reflecting Nepal’s friendly relations with neighboring states, Chinese citizens can obtain a free tourist visa, while Indian travelers can enter Nepal without needing a tourist visa. Citizens from many South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries can receive a complimentary 30-day visa for their first visit to Nepal within a calendar year. This applies to citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka; however, it does not extend to citizens of Afghanistan.
Other Travelers Must Get a Visa in Advance
Citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, and Zimbabwe need to obtain a visa from their nearest Nepali embassy or consulate prior to traveling. Refugees with travel documents from their host nation must follow the same process.
Travelers Can Pay Extra for a Multiple Entry Visa
While many travelers go from India to Nepal, it is possible to convert your single-entry Nepali visa into a multiple-entry visa for an additional US$25 at the Central Immigration Office in Kathmandu or the smaller office in Pokhara. This option is particularly useful if you plan to take a side trip to Bhutan or Tibet.
Should you enter Nepal from India and plan to return to India, ensure you obtain a multiple-entry visa for India—acquiring a new visa for India in Kathmandu can be a drawn-out and tricky process.
You Can Extend Your Visa for Up to 150 Days
If you find yourself wanting more time amid Nepal’s stunning mountains and monasteries, you can extend your visa at the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara, with an extension limit of 150 days in any calendar year (January to December). Extensions cost US$45 for the first 15 days, followed by US$3 per day thereafter until the 150-day maximum is reached.
It is crucial not to overstay your visa; failure to comply may result in fines of US$5 per day and could complicate future visits to Nepal. Therefore, plan to leave a few days between the end of your trek and your international flight to accommodate potential travel delays.
Apply for Work and Study Visas Well in Advance
If your aspirations include working or studying in Nepal, you’ll need to apply for a special class of visa, which requires meeting several strict criteria. The application process can be complex and time-consuming due to necessary documentation such as recommendation letters, bank statements, among others. For comprehensive information, visit the Department of Immigration’s website.
