Nepal is very welcoming to visitors, but its visa rules are precise and increasingly digital. Most travelers can obtain a visa on arrival, extend their stay in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and travel freely for trekking—as long as they respect the time limits, carry the necessary documents, and handle a few practical details, such as arranging cash and completing online forms.
Tourist Visa at a Glance
Primary purpose: Holiday, sightseeing, trekking, short visits to friends/family.
Not allowed: Any paid work or business activity.
Visa on Arrival (VOA) is available for citizens of most countries at:
- Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
- Designated land borders with India (Kakarvitta, Birgunj, Belahiya/Sunauli, Nepalgunj, Gaddachauki, Dhangadhi)
Basic requirements:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- At least one empty page for the visa sticker
- Visa fee in cash (preferably USD)
- Completed online pre-arrival form (highly recommended) or form at the airport/border
Countries not eligible for Visa on Arrival
Nationals of the following countries must obtain a visa in advance from a Nepali embassy/consulate and are usually not allowed VOA:
- Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (Swaziland), Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria
Airlines are instructed to deny boarding to travelers who do not hold a pre-issued visa in their passport.
Tourist Visa Fees & Duration
Standard Tourist Visa fees:
Visa Duration Fee (USD)Entry Type
- 15 days $30 Multiple entry
- 30 days $50 Multiple entry
- 90 days $125 Multiple entry
Special cases:
SAARC nationals (except Afghanistan):
- 30 days free (Gratis) – only for the first visit in a calendar year (January–December)
- Subsequent visits in the same year pay regular fees.
Chinese nationals:
- Gratis Tourist Visa for up to 150 days per calendar year under current reciprocal arrangements.
Important: Rules for gratis visas are diplomatic decisions and may change. Always check the latest information before traveling.
Maximum Stay: The 150-Day Rule
A foreign national on a Tourist Visa may stay a maximum of 150 days in total within a single calendar year (1 January – 31 December).
- This is a combined total, including all extensions and re-entries.
- Leaving Nepal and re-entering in the same year does not reset the count.
- After reaching 150 days, the traveler must leave and cannot re-enter on a Tourist Visa until the following calendar year.
Where & How to Get Your Visa
At Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
Best practice: Use the online pre-arrival form.
- Before travel (within 15 days of arrival):
- Fill out the online application (e.g., the “NepaliPort” system, as announced by the Department of Immigration).
- Print or save the barcode confirmation.
On arrival:
- Go directly to the payment counter with your barcode printout and passport.
- Pay the visa fee in USD or one of the other major currencies (USD/EUR/GBP/AUD).
Immigration desk:
- Present your passport, payment receipt, and barcode.
- Receive your visa sticker and entry stamp.
There are self-service kiosks in the arrival hall, but they can be slow or unreliable. Travelers who have the printed barcode usually move much faster through the process.
Cash vs. cards at the airport:
- Visa fees are officially payable in money; counters may not accept cards.
- ATMs near immigration checkpoints sometimes run out of money or experience connection issues.
- Safest option: Carry exact USD cash for your visa fee
ETA & Online Visa Payment via Nepali Gateway (Handled by Us)
- We share the official online visa form link with clear, step-by-step instructions.
- After you submit the form, our office completes the visa fee payment using a Nepali payment gateway on your behalf.
- Once the process is successful, we will send you a PDF confirmation (with a QR code or barcode) that you can print or keep on your phone to present upon arrival, ensuring a smoother experience.
Everything is processed through the official Department of Immigration system—you complete the form, and we handle the local payment and final confirmation PDF, so you don’t need a Nepali wallet or bank card.
Land Borders with India
Official entry points for foreign tourists include:
- Kakarvitta (Panitanki) – Eastern border (access from West Bengal/Sikkim)
- Birgunj (Raxaul) – Central trade hub, access from Bihar
- Belahiya / Sunauli – Popular route from Varanasi/Delhi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Nepalgunj (Rupaidiha) – Mid-Western access
- Gaddachauki (Mahendranagar) – Far-Western access from Uttarakhand
- Dhangadhi (Gauriphanta) – Far-Western access
Very important for overland travelers:
- Visa fees at land borders are usually “USD cash only.”
- Bills should be new (post-2003 design), clean, and not torn; old or damaged notes are often rejected.
- Indian Rupees are generally not accepted for official visa fees.
The Sunauli (Belahiya) crossing
Sunauli is busy and can feel chaotic:
- Indian and Nepali immigration offices are in different buildings separated by a short “no man’s land.”
You must:
- Get your exit stamp from India.
- Walk or take a rickshaw to the Nepali side.
- Fill the visa form (paper or kiosk, depending on availability).
- Pay your visa fee in USD and receive your Nepal visa.
There are no official “extra entry fees” or “road taxes” for pedestrians. Any unofficial “mandatory fee” requested by touts is a scam.
Land Borders with Tibet (China)
Northern border points are sensitive and heavily regulated:
- Rasuwagadhi (Kerung) – Important trade route, sometimes disrupted by landslides or floods. Tourist crossings usually require pre-arranged Tibet Travel Permits and group visas; independent overland travel is rare.
- Tatopani (Kodari) – Historically a major route; re-opened gradually with limited access and infrastructure still vulnerable to landslides.
- Korala (Mustang) – High-altitude crossing linked to Upper Mustang. Access typically requires an Upper Mustang Restricted Area Permit, which is costly and must be arranged through a registered trekking agency.
For most visitors, flying into Kathmandu remains the most convenient and reliable way to enter Nepal.
Extending Your Tourist Visa
Visa extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration (DOI) offices in:
- Kathmandu (Kalikasthan)
- Pokhara
- Airport immigration cannot extend visas.
Key points:
- Minimum extension: 15 days
- Fee: USD 45 for the first 15 days
- Beyond 15 days: USD 3 per additional day
- Late fine: USD 5 per day if you apply after your visa has already expired
The total stay—including extensions—cannot exceed 150 days in any one calendar year.
Special Visa Categories
These are only for travelers with specific long-term plans in Nepal. They involve more documents and approvals than a simple Tourist Visa.
Business Visa
- For foreign investors and business operators.
- Usually, you enter on a Tourist Visa first, then convert at the DOI.
Requires:
- Approved foreign investment from the Department of Industry
- Company registration & PAN/VAT certificates
- Proof of invested capital
- Fees are lower for higher investment amounts, and huge investments can qualify for a gratis Business Visa.
Student Visa
For university students, researchers, and those studying Buddhism/Himalayan culture.
Requires:
- Offer or admission letter from a recognized institution
- Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Education
- Proof of financial support (commonly around USD 3,000 per year)
- Process: Arrive on Tourist Visa → secure admission → get Ministry recommendation → apply at DOI.
Residential Visa
- A long-stay option for retirees and individuals with independent income.
- Financial requirements typically range from USD 20,000 (in a lump sum or as an annual income).
Additional documents:
- “No objection” letter from your embassy
- Medical and character certificates
- Renewal generally requires proof that you have spent that amount within Nepal during the previous year.
Marriage Visa
For foreign spouses of Nepali citizens.
Requires:
- Legally registered marriage (religious ceremony alone is not enough)
- Marriage registration certificate
- Nepali spouse’s citizenship
- Joint presence of both spouses at the DOI for application/renewal
- The fee is typically charged monthly, with an additional fee for multiple-entry rights.
Indian, Chinese & SAARC Nationals
Indian Citizens
- No visa required to enter Nepal.
- For air travel, accepted IDs typically include:
- Valid Indian passport, or
- Voter ID (Election Commission of India card)
- Aadhaar is not accepted as a travel document for flights.
- Children may travel with a passport, school ID, or birth certificate as per airline rules.
Chinese Citizens
- Eligible for a gratis Tourist Visa for up to 150 days a year, under current policy.
SAARC Citizens
- Citizens of SAARC countries (except Afghanistan) receive:
- A 30-day free tourist visa is available once per calendar year.
- Afghan nationals have stricter pre-approval requirements and usually cannot rely on VOA.
Trekking Permits & Your Visa
Your visa and your trekking permits must always match in terms of validity.
- Trekking permits cannot extend beyond the dates of your valid visa.
- For popular routes (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, etc.), you usually need:
- TIMS card (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
- Relevant park or conservation permits (e.g., Sagarmatha National Park, ACAP)
- For Restricted Areas (e.g., Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Manaslu):
- Permits are expensive and strictly controlled.
Often require:
- A minimum of two trekkers (no official solo permits)
- Application through a registered trekking agency only
- Higher daily permit fees (for example, Upper Mustang has a high fixed fee for the first 10 days, then a per-day charge)
Overstays & Compliance
Overstaying your visa in Nepal is a serious offense.
Short overstays:
- Fine of USD 5 per day plus the normal extension fee.
- Serious overstays (beyond 150-day annual limit or long delays):
- Possible detention
- Heavy fines
- Re-entry bans can stretch from one to several years.
Travelers with an expired visa are not permitted to depart directly from the airport. They are turned back at immigration and must visit the Department of Immigration to regularize their status, often leading to missed flights and additional costs.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Arrival
Complete the online visa form within 15 days of arrival and bring the printed barcode with you.
Carry enough USD cash for:
- Your visa fee
- Especially if you are entering by land border.
- Keep track of your total days in Nepal to stay under the 150-day annual limit.
- Ensure every hotel/lodge/agency properly registers your passport details in the government system when required.
- Keep photocopies or digital scans of:
- Passport photo page
- Visa sticker and entry stamp
- For trekking, ensure your visa covers your entire itinerary, including buffer days for unforeseen weather or delays.
