Nepal Visa Information

Assume you're wondering how to get a Nepal visa. In such case, the simplest method to bring it is at the Tribhuwan International Airport upon your arrival in Nepal, or at the immigration entry point if you are arriving through the Indian or Tibetan borders.

Notable are Nigeria, Ghana, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Cameroon, Swaziland, Iraq, Ethiopia, Liberia, Palestine, and others. Visas are not issued to citizens of certain countries at Nepal's immigration entrance ports.)

The Department of Immigration's Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), has been assisting travelers traveling to Nepal by offering visas upon Arrival. The 'On Arrival' visa procedure is quick and easy. During the peak tourist season, expect some lines. If you want to avoid the lines, you can get a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission stationed overseas ahead of your arrival. You have a choice.

If you got a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission, you must enter Nepal within six months of the date the visa was issued. Your entire stay in Nepal is calculated from the day you arrive.

Tourist visas are issued upon arrival at the entry and exit ports. They have a number of reentry facilities. The only way to enter Nepal is with a tourist visa. If you are visiting Nepal for reasons other than tourism (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and family), you must still get a "Tourist Visa." However, you must modify the type of visa from the Department of Immigration based on your purpose and duration of stay in Nepal by presenting the relevant documentation.

Please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA)  if you have not acquired Visa prior to boarding the plane.

•       1st  Step

o   Fill in ' Arrival Card '

o   Fill in Online ‘Tourist Visa ‘form ( you can fill it up  prior to your arrival  visiting our official website  Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport).  If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after.  If so, you will have to fill it up again.

•       2nd  Step 

o   Make payment  at the bank according to your visa requirement ( 15/30/90 Days)

o   Get the receipt

While you can use different modes of payments (at visa fees collection counter), we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.

On arrival visa fees  

15 days - US $ 30.00 for 15 days single/multiple entry.

 30 days - US $ 50.00 for 30 days single/multiple entry.

 90 days - US $ 125.00 for 90 days single/multiple entry.

•       3rd Step 

o   Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form,  payment receipts, and your passport

o   Hand in your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. He/she issues visa to you upon his/her satisfaction.

Visa Extension Fee

•       Tourist visa extension is done for a minimum of 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days.
•       In the case of a delay of fewer than 150 days, additional USD 5 per day is a late fine.

There is no visa fee applicable to the passport holder of member states of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) for 30 days. Indian nationals do not currently need a visa to enter Nepal.

If you wish for your tourist visa to be multiple entry an additional USD $20* is payable (90 day visa includes this fee but be sure to ask when paying that it's a multi-entry visa). Nepal visa fees may be paid for with USD or other convertible foreign currency equivalent thereto (Euro or GBP most common - however see note below for Visa on arrival). Additional non-tourist visas and fees:

•       Business visas start at USD $30 for one month - $300 for one year or $1000 for 5 years.
•       Student visas are USD $30/$75 per month.
•       Marital visas are USD $15* per month.

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of the following categories of Visa applicants:

•       Children below 10 years except for US citizens
•       Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year.  Afghan citizens are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of the Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with Department of Immigration to get you Gratis Visa 'On Arrival'.
•       Non Residential Nepalese(NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
•       Chinese Nationals

Officials from China, Brazil, Russia, and Thailand do not need Entry Visa based on a reciprocal visa waiver Agreement

Visas of all kinds including ‘Gratis’ issued at the Airport are Tourist Visas. Contact Department of Immigration for extending your visa or changing the category of your visa. Tourist Visa extension can be done from Immigration Office, Pokhara too. Non tourist visa extension can be done only at Department of Immigration (if eligible) for a period of maximum one year (except business visa).

Transit visa:

According to new visa rules, any foreigner can obtain transit visa on arrival to Kathmandu International Airport showing evidence of departure (plane ticket) in the period of 3 days from Kathmandu International Airport.

For Chinese Nationals

 As per the official circular of the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, China, Chinese nationals applying for a tourist visas to Nepal are being provided “gratis tourist visa” from Jan. 5, 2016, from the following Nepali missions in the People’s Republic of China:

•       Embassy of Nepal, Beijing
•       Consulate General of Nepal, Lhasa
•       Consulate General of Nepal, Hong Kong
•       Honorary Consulate of Nepal, Shanghai

For Indian Nationals

Indian nationals do not require visas to enter Nepal. As per the Nepalese Immigration, Indian Nationals Traveling to Nepal must possess any One of the following documents.

1.     Passport
2.     Driving License with photo
3.     Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency
4.     Ration Card with Photo
5.     Election Commission Card with Photo
6.     Identity Card issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu
7.     Identity Card with Photo issued by Sub- Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above his rank

Also, please check with your nearest travel agents for documents required by the Indian Immigration for Indians traveling to Nepal.

Some Important information to tourists: Don't or Do's:

•       A tourist may stay in Nepal up to 150 days in a visa year.
•       A tourist must extend his/her visa before the expiry of the visa validity period. A tourist who does not comply with these regulations may be liable for fine and other prosecution as provided in Immigration Act and Rules.
•       A Foreigner having obtained a tourist visa shall not be allowed to work with or without receiving remuneration.
•       A foreigner shall not be allowed to carry out any work other than that for which purpose s/he has obtained the visa.

Nepal visa extensions & fees

Visas can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a visa year (January - December). In other words you can stay in Nepal on a tourist visa for a maximum of 150 days per year.

Visa Extension costs are based on the following rate: USA $3 per day with a minimum extension of 15 days.

Visa extension fee for a period of 15 days or less = US$45.

Visa extension fee for a period of more than 15 days = US$3 per day.

 Visa extension fee for a period of more than 30 days = US $90 for 30 days.

Requirements for visa extension*: All visa extensions in Nepal are now being handled online, see below on extending your visa in Nepal.

Apply online: You may apply online for a Nepalese visa or extension - see the section further below for more information on applying online.

Transit visa for Nepal: Any foreigner can obtain a transit visa on arrival to Kathmandu International Airport showing evidence of departure (plane ticket) within the period of 3 days from Kathmandu International Airport.

Additional fees for visa extensions for Nepal: For those looking to extend their tourist visas do note that the USD$3 per day fee usually has an additional "express fee" added to the total charge. The exact "express fee" seems quite random but usually comes in at around USD$10.

You may apply for a multiple entry visa extension which costs USD$20 extra per visa. Previously there was a USD $5 cost for a transit visa for 5 days which may still be applicable.

Late fees are USD $5 per day.

Where to get a visa on arrival

The following entry points allow you to enter Nepal and obtain a visa on arrival. Please note that some of the remoter entry points may not always operate frequently. Entry points for visa on arrival in Nepal

Entry points to Nepal with immigration offices:

Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu

Immigration Office, Kakarbhitta , Jhapa

Immigration Office, Birganj , Parsa

Immigration Office , Belhia , Bhairahawa

Immigration Office, Nepalganj, Banke

Immigration Office , Mohana, Kailali

Immigration Office, Gadda Chauki, Kanhanpur

Immigration Office, Kodari , Sindhupalchwok

--- Countries not eligible for visas on Arrival in Nepal

1.     Nigeria
2.     Ghana
3.     Zimbabwe
4.     Swaziland
5.     Cameroon
6.     Somalia
7.     Liberia
8.     Ethiopia
9.     Iraq
10.   Palestine
11.   Afghanistan   ---

On arrival visa requirements

•       You will need one passport-sized photograph (or have your photograph taken digitally).
•       Applicable visa fee (US Dollar or Nepalese Rupee.)
•       Completed visa form. You should fill out the application form for visas available at the airport or immigration entry points (you can fill up the visa application form in advance online too https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online

•       Your passport must have 6 months of validity left.

 While Nepali immigrants say all major currencies are accepted USD & NPR are the safest bets.

 GBP & Euro would be next. If you do not have these currencies there is an ATM there. If the ATM is not working there is a currency exchange booth (you'll need to leave your passport with an official to go outside).

 If the ATM & the currency exchange booth are closed/broken/unattended then there will be money changers outside along with taxi men - you'll get a terrible rate but you should be able to change major currencies with them. Personally, I'd stick with having some USD.

On arrival visa procedure at the airport

• You must enter your travel details into visa application machines after you enter the immigration lounge at the international airport following arrival via plane.
• Queue first to submit your passport details into the Visa Machines and obtain a receipt.
• Move to the next queue where you submit your receipt & visa payment.
• If the passport visa machines are not operable then paper forms should be available.

Nepal visa application forms (no longer required) Please note that as of 2014 you can now apply online for an on-arrival visa so these forms are not necessary for most travelers anymore - see below for the previous online applications. The following forms are subject to change, and should be used as a guide and not as official papers. Please check with the Nepal Department of Immigration for the latest changes. Download via application forms » Application form for Diplomatic/Official/Tourist visa » Application form for Study/Non- tourist/Business visa » Application form for visa extension* (NOT NEEDED - please see below first)

Getting through Kathmandu Airports immigration queues

1.     Fill out your arrival papers on the plane once they are handed out (some airlines no longer hand these out)
2.     Upon departure from your plane push and shove like everyone else to get ahead first
3.     Arriving into the immigration lounge take note of the queues (Nepali passport holders / foreign passports), walk over to the ATM like electronic passport scanners kiosks to the left (try to find a working one first)
4.     Place your machine-readable passport ID page over the scanner on the lower left. Make sure the barcode bit of it is directly over the black part of the scanner. Let it scan … wait a bit … try again. If successful you need to confirm by pressing on the touch screen. You’ll be prompted to enter in your hotel details and length of stay. There are very annoying Nepali “Ward” and “District” codes to be filled out. I pressed “0000” for them all and it accepted it (Thamel is Ward 29 & District is Bagmati)
5.     The machine will then try to take a photo of you. Yes, you’ll probably have to duck and step around a bit. Keep pressing the unresponsive “take photo” button until it finally obeys and your photo is taken. Confirm all your details and collect the bit of paper it spits out
6.     If it’s a full flight and these passport scanners have long queues (in early 2019 many were broken and the staff did not know how to operate them) then it might be worth it to skip them and just queue at the regular counter.
7.     You can speed things up by applying online for a Nepal visa (read more about visas in Nepal)
8.     Walk up to the next counter which is at the end of the arrival hall or to the right of the passport machines. Hand over the slip of paper from the passport machines or from your online application along with your passport and with the required money (USA, RMB, Sterling or Euro – you’re safer with USD) for two or three colored receipts (there is an ATM in arrivals but it rarely works so don’t count on it)
9.     Turn to the right and there will be several kiosks for visas. Some are for 15/30 days others are for 90 days. Don’t queue at the wrong counter or you’ll be sent to another one down the row. Check first, then queue. There are little signs above them
10.   Hand over all your receipts and passport before confirming what type of visa you want. Get your sticker-like stamp. Leave to your left

Get your luggage back at the airport

1.     After immigration, you need to go down another escalator and take a right (rarely is it sign posted) and on an odd occasion through yet another security machine! Then finally to the baggage belts.
2.     You should have a small bar code (baggage code) and number stuck onto your ticket or passport that should match your luggage – don’t lose it!
3.     If in a group one person should remain back with all hand luggage while everyone else forms a protective circle and gets as close to the luggage conveyor belt exit window as possible
4.     If alone, make sure all your stuff is zipped up and barge in head first to get a clear view of where your bags should appear
5.     All the baggage trolleys are free to use. Don’t accept offers to carry luggage from everyone
6.     Do not be afraid to push back at the heaving mass of men, women and old people elbowing you anywhere they can while waiting for the luggage to appear. Give an inch and you’ll be jostled to the back in an instant!
7.     Be prepared for some close bodily contact with high odor people of all types
8.     When the conveyor belt starts to move stand your ground!
9.     If you see your bag appearing don’t move, it will/should get to you. Don’t panic when you see at least five people pick it up to see if it’s theirs. Even if you are the only person in the world with a bag covered in pink polka dots
10.   Grab your bag and allow the crowd to slowly push you to the back
11.   Move out to the main clearing and be prepared for a security man/woman to jump out. He wants to compare that ticket number which should match your bag ticket number
12.   If there’s electricity or the machine is working have your bag x-rayed on the way out

Changing money at Kathmandu Airport

There’s small forex near the first exit doors: wait for a little man to appear – he’s quite grouchy so don’t take crap from him

Ask him the rates. He will ask you how much you want to change. His minimum change is USD $50

For Nepal Visa Extensions

For Nepal tourist visa extensions you'll need  the following:

•  Fill out the online application form.
• Print the barcode receipt.
• Take a photocopy of your passport ID page
• Take a photocopy of your current Nepali Visa page.
•  Have the applicable visa fee.
• Go to your nearest immigration office.

 If you arrive at the Kathmandu or Pokhara immigration office without doing the above then you'll still need to do it all at  the office using passport scanning machines. There will be long queues. A staff member can help you fill it out the online application form.

 However there are only three machines in the Kathmandu  immigration office and not every staff member knows how to use them. Hopefully over time the process might actually develop into something helpful. Meanwhile I suggest you either get a visa on arrival, apply in your home country or for extensions be prepared for some frustrations!

 Ward Number for online Nepal Visa Application

 Wards are fixed areas within cities in Nepal. The most useful Ward for filling out the online visa application is Thamel which is ward 29.

For the street number - your hotel might have one online in their address. If not you can add in the numbers 1 or 2 which will be accepted as there is no hotel database linked to the online application. They are not taking hotel address mistakes that seriously at immigration. Otherwise just add in quasi-random numbers or street names until it accepts them.

For those who need to fill out the Nepali online visa form and are staying in Kathmandu then the following ward numbers will help.

•       Thamel is Ward 29.
•       Paknajol is Ward 16.

If you keep getting errors when filling out your online Nepal visa form then the likelihood is that it's not recognizing a street number. In this case remove the information you entered in the form and note the fields with "street numbers" which include your home address and Nepal hotel address. It's highly likely the error is there as they have two fields with similar names. If all else fails, don't worry you can still fill out a form on arrival at the airport or someone can help you at the immigration office.

Online Nepal Visa Application Form

• Fill out the applicable visa form here Online visa & tourist visa extensions for Nepal.
• Don't forget to bring the following to the immigration office or on arrival at the airport:
• The printed out slip after submitting the above form
• A photocopy of the ID page from your passport
• A photocopy of the last (current)

Nepal visa in your passport Nepal Immigration App

 In 2017 Nepal Immigration launched a new mobile app that provides tourists with visa information. It also allows tourists to apply for a visa online, gives visa information, apply for trekking permits and various information. Similar to the web system, it does not allow for online payments so all payments still need to be made in person.

Please note, the app does not work very well and you will probably be better off using the online webpage above.

Nepal Immigration App for Android

 Nepal Immigration for Apple OS (soon to be released)

Nepali Embassies & Immigration offices

Nepalese Embassies abroad:

Keep in mind Nepal is a small developing country. As such Nepal overseas embassies are not that great in number. You may need to telephone the embassy to ensure it is still active. Also do note that Nepal has a pretty open visa on arrival policy so depending on your purpose of visit do decide whether you need to visit an embassy or not.

 List of Nepal Embassies abroad

Nepal Ministry for Immigration contacts & opening hours:

Kathmandu - Nepal Ministry for immigration, Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal. Telephone: 977-1- 4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868

Pokhara - Ratna chowk, Pokhara, Nepal (just before the Y junction heading to the tourist bus park when coming from Lakeside.)Telephone: 977-1- 61-521167 / 521160 Office Hours Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. - 4/5 p.m. Visa Application Hours Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 Nepal Immigration Office Holidays:

Take note that Nepali immigration offices are closed on Saturdays and Government Holidays (airport arrival immigration is open 365 days a year). They do however stay open on many festivals dates so long as it's not a national holiday. They do close during the Dashain Festival for several days (usually held at the end of September or start of October (see this list of festivals in Nepal to get the latest date).

Other General Information

•       Entering in to Nepal or staying in Nepal without a valid visa is illegal.
•       Tourist visa can be obtained either through the Nepalese embassy or consulate or other mission offices in your nation or at the immigration entry points in Nepal listed above.
•       Visa once issued cannot be amended and the visa fees are non-refundable.
•       Nepal visa fees must be paid in cash (USD or other major currency). Credit card or cheque is not acceptable.
•       Visa charges are not applicable for children under 10 years of age, however, they must obtain a valid visa.
•       If you are obtaining a new passport or travel document, you are advised to contact the Immigration Department for the document transfer.
•       Always carry your passport and trekking permit while on trekking.
•       Some of the areas are restricted for filming. Therefore, be careful not to do the activities that are strictly prohibited.
•       Please respect the culture, tradition and sentiments of Nepalese people. Do not perform any activities that would hurt their sentiments.
•       Do not perform any activities that would lead to moral turpitude.

Nepal Visa FAQs

Where can I extend my tourist visa? Either in the Kathmandu or Pokhara immigration offices mentioned above.

How long does it take to extend my tourist visa? Same day and usually within the hour

Which office is better for extending a tourist visa in Nepal? Pokhara immigration office is a lot easier to reach than the Kathmandu office. It's also a lot faster to process your application in Pokhara.

 I'm going trekking and my visa will run out in the middle of the trek? Make sure you apply for your tourist visa extension before you go trekking