Tourist visas in Nepal


Most nationalities can get either a 15/30/90-day visa when arriving in Nepal, either by flight or overland. However, if you apply in your home country for a Nepali tourist visa, you can avoid the queues at the airport - more details on this can be found further down on this page.

Tourist visas can be extended for a total of 150 days in one calendar year in Nepal. Extensions can only be done online within Nepal via the official Nepal immigration website prior to attending a physical immigration office within Nepal.

All Nepal tourist visas and extensions have a fee depending on the duration of the visa.

Full details on what countries are exempt, visa and extension fees, procedures, along with the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on getting a visa to Nepal can be found further down on this page.

Visa On Arrivals have no COVID restrictions anymore. More information below.

Nepal tourist visas & fees on arrival


* As of January 2023 on arrival visas are fully open with no quarantine or restrictions. There are, however, several things you need to ensure.

 

On arrival visa fees

 

Crossing a suspension bridge in Nepal
Crossing a suspension bridge in Nepal
  • 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.

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 .

* note: many of the above non-tourist visas have additional requirements that must be met. Please consult with Nepalese Ministry for Immigration for further information.


Full list of Nepali visa fees


All visa prices shown in this table are the latest fees from July 17th 2019.

Visa Type Visa Details Visa Fee in USD $
1. Tourist Visa (short) 15 Days (Multiple Entry) USD 30
2. 30 Days (Multiple Entry)   USD 50
3. 90 Days (Multiple Entry)   USD 125
4. Visa Extension (Within Valid Visa Period)   USD 3 per Day
5. Visa Extension (With Multiple Entry)   Additional USD 25
6. Visa Extension (After Visa Expiration)   Late fee USD 5 per Day
7. Study Visa New Visa or Visa Extension for students and their dependents (Degree Program) USD 30 per Month
8. New Visa or Visa Extension for students and their dependents (Non-Degree Program)   USD 75 per Month
9. Bhutanese students and their dependents   USD 15 per Month
10. Dependents of the students receiving waiver on visa fee as per MoU between Universities   USD 15 per Month
11. Foreigners and their dependants for teaching and research purpose   USD 50 per Month
12. Non Tourist Visa Foreigners with Nepali Origin USD 10 per Month
13. Journalists and their dependants   USD 15 per Month
14. Foreigners working in offices or project directly affiliated with GoN and their dependants   USD 30 per Month
15. Foreigner married with Nepali Citizen   USD 15 per Month
16. Relatives of foreigners having marital relation with Nepali Citizen   USD 25 per Month
17. Foreigners and their dependants working in organizations having contract between donor country and the Nepal Government and funded by the donor country   USD 50 per Month
18. Other foreigners working in Nepal   USD 75 per Month
19. Business Visa Foreigner and their dependants having an investment more than NRs 100 million (Multiple Entry Visa for duration less than a year) USD 20 per Month
20. Foreigner and their dependants having an investment more than NRs 100 million (Multiple Entry Visa for a year)   USD 200 per Year
21. Foreigner and their dependants having an investment more than NRs 100 million (Multiple Entry Visa for five years)   USD 500
22. Foreigner and their dependants having an investment equal to or less than NRs 100 million (Multiple Entry Visa for duration less than a year)   USD 35 per Month
23. Foreigner and their dependants having an investment equal to or less than NRs 100 million (Multiple Entry Visa for a year)   USD 400 per Year
24. Residential Visa New Visa with Multiple Entry facility USD 500
25. Visa Renewal with Multiple Entry facility USD 100 per Year

Source: Department of Immigration Nepal

Please note that for tourist visa extensions there seems to be an additional USD $10 approx "processing fee" when you are given a bill at the immigration office.

The information on the rest of this page is in regards to additional information about tourist visas in Nepal. Jump to the online tourist application form.

Be prepared

Always carry several passport photos when you arrive into Nepal. Not only will you need them for your visa but you'll also need them if you want to go trekking.

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

  1. TIA, Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu)
  2. Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
  3. Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
  4. Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
  5. Belahia, Bhairahawa (Sunauli)
  6. Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
  7. Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
  8. Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
  9. Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa

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Countries not eligible for visa on Arrival for Nepal

Nigeria Ghana Zimbabwe Swaziland
Cameroon Somalia Liberia Ethiopia
Iraq Palestine Afghanistan  

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On arrival visa requirements

  1. You will need one passport sized photograph (or have your photograph taken digitally).
  2. Applicable visa fee (US Dollar or Nepalese Rupee.)
  3.  
  4. Completed visa form.
  5. Your passport which must have 6 months validity left.

While Nepali immigration 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.

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On arrival visa procedure at the airport

Do read this blog post about arriving into Kathmandu international airport to get a feel on what to expect.

  1. You must enter your travel details into visa application machines after you enter the immigration lounge at the international airport following arrival via plane.

  2. Queue first to submit your passport details into the Visa Machines and obtain a receipt.

  3. Move to the next queue where you submit your receipt & visa payment.

Again, see this for Kathmandu international airport immigration step-by-step procedures.

If the passport visa machines are not operable then paper forms should be available.

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On arrival visa procedure at the border

Do read about how to travel overland into Nepal. Overland visa on arrival procedures will change slightly depending on each entry point. Generally speaking it's fairly straight forward.

  1. Fill the application forms.

  2. Submit the forms to the immigration counter with your passport photo and fees.


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, should be used as a guide and not 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)


Nepal online visa application & extensions


In 2014 Nepal launched an online visa application website. It allows you to apply online for a number of visas and extensions. However it doesn't make things easier and it is now mandatory for all extensions.

Application for online visa in Nepal

 

If you are arriving by air or land you might try to fill out the online application and print the barcode (receipt page you are given) - it means you don't need to do it at the airport on arrival.

Issues: Your application is only valid for 15 days. The online form has some mandatory questions that are near on impossible to obtain - e.g.. House number or Ward number for your address in Nepal - few buildings have this information and there are even fewer people that know it. You'll need to scan in or attach a passport photo of yourself.

Once you manage to complete the form all that happens is that you then need to print off a small slip of paper with basic details about your application and then present it to the immigration desk.

For Nepal Visa Extensions

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

  1.  Fill out the online application form.

  2. Print the barcode receipt.

  3. Take a photocopy of your passport ID page

  4. Take a photocopy of your current Nepali Visa page.

  5. Have the applicable visa fee.

  6. 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 application 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.

As of 2024 the app is not longer available. Be aware of fake apps.

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

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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).


Nepal Tourist Visa Fee Increase in 2019


On July 17th 2019 the Nepal increases tourist visa fees. 

The new Nepali Tourist Visa Fees in 2019 are:

  • 15 days - USD $30.00 for 15 days single/multiple entry.
  • 30 days - US $50.00 for 30 days single/multiple entry.
  • 90 days - USD $125.00 for 90 days single/multiple entry.

SAARC countries are given 30 days free entry and following this USD$ 3 per day.

Indian nationals are free as are Chinese (since 2015).

A full list of the current Nepal visa fees is above.

To make matters slightly complicated the Nepali government noted the new fees are for multiple entry tourist visas. Single entry visas will be replaced by multiple entry visas except for extensions which are now single entry only with an option to pay for a multiple entry visa extension.

The Nepali tourist visa fees are due to increase again in 2021. It is said Nepal will start charging reciprocal visa fees based on an applicants country fee to a Nepali tourist. You can read more about the new Nepal tourist visa fees and future fees.



Nepal Visa FAQ's


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!


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