Nepal Visa and Entry Guide

Who Needs a Visa for Nepal?

Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Nepal.

Many visitors enter on a tourist visa, including people traveling for:

• Holidays and sightseeing
• Trekking and mountaineering preparation
• Visiting friends or relatives
• Short cultural or spiritual journeys
• Short business meetings
• Exploratory travel before applying for another visa category

A tourist visa does not automatically permit employment, paid work, long-term study, journalism, research or formal volunteer work.

Travelers entering for purposes other than ordinary tourism may need to change to an appropriate visa category after entering or arrange additional authorization.

Nepal Tourist Visa Fees

The following standard tourist visa fees were current when this page was reviewed:

The visa period generally begins on the date you enter Nepal, not the date you complete an online form.

Choose the correct duration before paying. Visa fees are generally non-refundable after issuance.

Special exemptions, reciprocal agreements and gratis visas may apply to certain travelers.

Three Ways to Obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa

How Visa on Arrival Works

The exact layout and process may vary by entry point, but a standard visa-on-arrival process usually includes the following steps.

Step 1: Complete the Arrival and Visa Application

Complete the official tourist visa application before traveling or use an available kiosk or application facility after arrival.

You may be asked to provide:

• Full name as written in your passport
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth
• Passport issue and expiration dates
• Arrival date and entry point
• Purpose of travel
• Requested visa duration
• Address or hotel in Nepal
• Contact information
• A recent digital or passport-style photograph

Check every detail carefully. Your information should match your passport exactly.

Step 2: Save the Application Receipt

Save or print the submission receipt and barcode generated by the official system.

Online visa-on-arrival application receipts may be valid only for a limited period, so do not complete the application too far in advance.

Step 3: Pay the Visa Fee

Pay the fee for the 15-, 30- or 90-day visa.

Payment facilities may include:

• Online card payment through an official portal
• Bank or payment counters in the arrival area
• Accepted debit or credit cards
• Accepted foreign currency
• Other authorized electronic payment methods

Payment systems can occasionally be unavailable. Carrying suitable cash as a backup may prevent unnecessary problems.

Step 4: Proceed to Immigration

Present the following to the immigration officer:

• Your valid passport
• Your visa application receipt or barcode
• Your visa-fee payment receipt
• Any supporting documents requested

The immigration officer makes the final decision regarding entry and visa issuance.

Step 5: Check Your Visa Before Leaving

Before leaving the immigration area, check:

• Your name and passport details
• The date of entry
• The authorized length of stay
• Any entry or visa stamp

Ask an immigration officer to correct an apparent error immediately.

Documents to Carry

Immigration officers or airlines may ask for documents showing that you are a genuine temporary visitor.

Keep the following accessible:

• A passport with sufficient validity
• Your visa or online application confirmation
• A recent passport-style photograph
• Your first hotel or accommodation address
• An onward or return ticket
• Your travel itinerary
• Evidence of sufficient funds when requested
• Travel-insurance information
• Trekking or activity arrangements when relevant
• Invitation or contact information when visiting someone

Store copies separately from your original passport. Keep both digital and printed copies of important documents.

Passport Validity and Condition

Travel with a passport that has at least six months of validity remaining when you enter Nepal.

Your passport should also:

• Be in good physical condition
• Contain enough blank space for immigration use
• Match the information on your airline booking
• Not have been reported lost or stolen
• Be the same document used for the visa application

Airlines may apply their own document checks before allowing you to board.

Renew a damaged passport or a passport with insufficient validity before traveling.

Nationalities Not Eligible for Visa on Arrival

At the time this page was reviewed, citizens of the following countries were not eligible for Nepal’s standard visa-on-arrival facility:

• Afghanistan
• Cameroon
• Eswatini, also listed in some official materials as Swaziland
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iraq
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Palestine
• Somalia
• Syria
• Zimbabwe

Travelers from these countries should obtain a visa through a Nepalese embassy or consulate before traveling.

Additional procedures or Department of Immigration recommendations may apply in some cases.

Do not rely only on an airline employee, travel agent or unofficial visa website. Confirm requirements through a Nepalese diplomatic mission.

Traveling with a Refugee or Special Travel Document

Do not assume that a refugee travel document, certificate of identity or other non-standard travel document qualifies for visa on arrival.

Travelers using these documents should contact a Nepalese embassy or consulate before booking travel.

Ask the diplomatic mission to confirm:

• Whether Nepal recognizes the document
• Whether a visa can be issued
• Whether additional approvals are required
• Whether the airline will accept the document
• Which entry points may be used

Obtain the response in writing when practical.

Gratis Visas

A gratis visa is issued without the standard visa fee. Eligibility does not always remove the need to complete an application or present the required documents.

Children Under 10

Children under ten generally qualify for a gratis tourist visa.

Official immigration information identifies an exception for United States citizens in some child-visa arrangements. Families should verify the current rule before departure.

Children should travel with their own valid documents as required by their nationality and airline.

SAARC Citizens

Citizens of SAARC member countries, except Afghanistan, may generally receive a gratis visa for up to 30 days on their first eligible visit during a visa year.

Afghan nationals require additional advance arrangements and cannot rely on normal visa on arrival.

Chinese Citizens

Chinese nationals currently receive special gratis tourist visa treatment, subject to Nepal’s applicable immigration rules and annual maximum stay.

NRN Card Holders

Eligible Non-Resident Nepali card holders may receive a gratis visa after presenting a valid NRN card and passport.

NRN citizenship or previous Nepali nationality does not automatically remove the requirement to complete the correct immigration procedure.

Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders

Visa exemptions may apply to diplomatic, official or service passport holders from countries covered by reciprocal agreements.

These exemptions do not necessarily apply to ordinary passport holders from the same country.

Entry Rules for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens do not require a visa to enter Nepal.

They must still present acceptable evidence of Indian nationality.

Generally Accepted Documents

• A valid Indian passport
• An official Indian voter identity card issued by the Election Commission of India

Aadhaar cards, driving licences and ordinary PAN cards should not be relied upon as proof of nationality for entry into Nepal.

Indian Children

Indian minors traveling with their parents may be able to use approved supporting documents such as a birth registration certificate or student identity documentation, depending on age and travel circumstances.

Because airline and border requirements may differ, a passport is generally the least ambiguous travel document.

Traveling by Air

Indian travelers flying to Nepal should confirm accepted identification with the airline before departure.

An airline may require documentation beyond what might be accepted at a land border.

Traveling with Children

Children may require their own passport, visa or supporting identity documents.

Parents and guardians should carry:

• The child’s passport or approved travel document
• Visa documentation when required
• A birth certificate or evidence of relationship
• A consent letter when one or both parents are not traveling
• Custody or guardianship documents when relevant
• Contact details for the absent parent or guardian

Airlines and transit countries may have additional requirements for minors.

A child qualifying for a free visa may still need to complete the application and immigration process.

Entering Nepal by Air

International passengers may enter through Nepalese airports currently authorized to process international arrivals.

Active international routes can change according to airline operations, government approvals and seasonal demand.

Before Boarding

• Check your passport validity.
• Confirm visa eligibility.
• Complete the official online application when appropriate.
• Save your application receipt.
• Carry your accommodation address.
• Check transit-country requirements.
• Confirm that your airline ticket matches your passport name.

After Landing

• Follow signs for visa processing or immigration.
• Complete any required arrival declaration.
• Pay the correct visa fee.
• Proceed to the appropriate immigration counter.
• Collect your luggage after immigration.
• Complete customs procedures.

Entering Nepal by Land

Nepal has designated land-border immigration offices along its borders with India and China.

Foreign travelers must enter through an officially authorized immigration point that is open to their nationality and travel-document type.

Do not cross through an informal local route simply because local residents appear to use it.

Before Using a Land Border

• Confirm that the border is open to foreign nationals.
• Confirm current operating hours.
• Check whether visa on arrival is available there.
• Carry sufficient cash and a backup payment method.
• Confirm onward transportation.
• Allow time for both countries’ immigration procedures.
• Check whether regional permits are needed after entry.

Border rules may change because of security, weather, road conditions or diplomatic decisions.

Travelers entering from China or Tibet should pay particular attention to tour, permit and border-access requirements.

Transit Visa

Foreign travelers transiting through Nepal may be eligible for a transit visa allowing entry for up to 24 hours.

The current standard transit visa fee is USD 5.

You may need to present:

• A valid passport
• A confirmed onward air ticket
• Proof that you are transiting Nepal
• A completed transit visa application
• The required fee

A transit visa may be required when you leave the airport’s international transit area, collect luggage, change airports or enter Nepal during a long connection.

Confirm whether your airline transfers luggage through to the final destination.

Extending a Tourist Visa

Tourist visas can generally be extended inside Nepal, subject to immigration approval and the annual maximum stay.

The standard maximum tourist stay is currently 150 days within one visa year.

Current Extension Structure

• The minimum standard extension is generally 15 days.
• The first 15 days currently cost a total of USD 45.
• Additional days currently cost USD 3 per day.
• Additional charges may apply for multiple re-entry facilities.
• Late or overstay penalties may apply when the previous visa has expired.

Extensions are commonly processed through the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and the Immigration Office in Pokhara.

Apply Before Your Visa Expires

Do not wait until the final day when:

• A public holiday is approaching.
• You are outside Kathmandu or Pokhara.
• Your passport has limited validity.
• You plan to leave and re-enter Nepal.
• You need time to correct an application problem.

Documents Commonly Required

• Your original passport
• Your current Nepal visa
• An official online extension application
• Payment of the required fee
• Additional documents requested by immigration

Do Not Overstay Your Visa

Remaining in Nepal after your visa expires is an immigration violation.

Possible consequences include:

• Daily extension and late fees
• Additional immigration penalties
• Delays when departing Nepal
• Investigation by immigration authorities
• Deportation
• Restrictions on future entry

The current late or overstay fee is generally listed as USD 5 per day in addition to the applicable visa-extension charges.

Do not assume that you can simply pay a small fine at the airport. Serious or extended overstays may require additional procedures.

Contact the Department of Immigration immediately when illness, hospitalization, passport loss or another emergency may prevent timely departure.

Leaving and Re-Entering Nepal

Standard 15-, 30- and 90-day tourist visas are generally issued with multiple-entry access.

This can allow travelers to leave Nepal and return while the visa remains valid.

Before leaving Nepal, check:

• The visa’s remaining validity
• Your authorized total stay
• Your passport validity
• Whether an extension changed the re-entry conditions
• Whether your planned return falls within the same visa year
• Whether the neighboring country requires a separate visa

A Nepal visa does not provide entry rights to India, China, Bhutan or another country.

Tourist Visa, Work and Volunteering

A Nepal tourist visa does not authorize ordinary paid employment.

Foreign nationals generally require the appropriate work authorization and visa before legally working in Nepal.

Activities that may require additional approval include:

• Paid employment
• Long-term consultancy work
• Employment by a Nepalese company
• Teaching or training as part of formal employment
• Journalism or media production
• Academic research
• Formal study
• Volunteer placements through organizations
• Religious or missionary activity

Calling an activity “volunteering” does not automatically make it legal under a tourist visa.

Ask the host organization to explain which government approvals and visa category apply before committing money or beginning work.

Business Visitors

A short visit for meetings, discussions or exploring business opportunities may begin with a tourist entry visa, depending on the traveler’s circumstances.

Operating a business, investing, accepting employment or remaining in Nepal for long-term commercial activity may require a business, working or other non-tourist visa.

Before conducting formal business activity:

• Confirm the correct visa category.
• Check company-registration requirements.
• Obtain work authorization when applicable.
• Review tax obligations.
• Use qualified legal and accounting professionals.

Visa Requirements Are Separate from Trekking Permits

A valid Nepal visa does not automatically provide permission to enter every trekking or restricted region.

Depending on your route, you may also need:

• A national park permit
• A conservation area permit
• A TIMS card
• A restricted-area trekking permit
• A local government fee
• A licensed trekking guide
• Booking through a registered agency

Carry your passport, valid visa and required permits during the trek.

Read the Trekking in Nepal Guide

Lost or Stolen Passport

Report a lost or stolen passport promptly.

Recommended Steps

1. Report the loss to the local police.
2. Contact your embassy or consulate.
3. Apply for a replacement passport or emergency travel document.
4. Contact Nepal’s Department of Immigration.
5. Complete the required visa-transfer procedure.
6. Reconfirm airline bookings if your passport number changes.

A new passport does not automatically contain your old Nepal visa.

You may need an official visa transfer before departing or continuing your stay.

Keep digital copies of your passport identification page, visa and entry stamp in secure storage.

Damaged or Replaced Passports

Contact immigration when your passport is damaged, replaced or no longer usable while you are in Nepal.

Do not attempt to depart using a passport that has been cancelled or replaced without first confirming the visa-transfer requirements.

Carry both the old and new passports when instructed by your embassy or immigration authorities.

Customs and Baggage

Immigration and customs are separate processes. Receiving a visa does not exempt a traveler from customs rules.

Travelers may need to declare:

• Large amounts of currency
• Commercial goods
• Professional equipment
• Drones and specialized electronics
• Restricted medicines
• Weapons or prohibited items
• Plants, seeds or animal products
• Gold, silver or valuable goods above permitted limits

Customs allowances and declaration thresholds can change. Check the current rules before traveling with valuable, unusual or commercial equipment.

Antiques and Cultural Objects

Do not purchase or export genuine antiquities, archaeological objects or protected religious items without proper documentation and authorization.

An item being offered for sale does not prove that it can legally leave Nepal.

Bringing Medication into Nepal

Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging.

Also carry:

• A copy of the prescription
• A doctor’s letter for controlled or injectable medication
• The generic name of each medicine
• Only a reasonable personal quantity

Confirm current customs and health requirements before traveling with controlled drugs, strong pain medication, sedatives or large quantities of medicine.

Bringing a Drone into Nepal

Importing a drone and legally flying a drone are separate issues.

Drone use may require approval from aviation, security, local government, conservation or heritage authorities.

Restrictions may apply around:

• Airports
• Military and government locations
• National parks
• Conservation areas
• World Heritage Sites
• Border regions
• Religious ceremonies
• Private property

Do not assume that registration in your home country gives permission to fly in Nepal.

Traveling with Pets

Bringing an animal into Nepal may require veterinary certificates, vaccination records, import approval and customs or quarantine procedures.

Requirements may depend on:

• The species
• The animal’s country of origin
• Vaccination history
• Airline rules
• Transit-country rules
• Whether the animal travels in the cabin or cargo hold

Begin the process well before departure and obtain written confirmation from the airline and relevant Nepalese authorities.

Fraudulent Visa Websites

Nepal’s immigration authorities have warned travelers about fraudulent visa websites and unauthorized online payment services.

Protect yourself by:

• Using only official Government of Nepal domains
• Avoiding websites promising guaranteed approval
• Checking the domain before entering passport information
• Not paying unexpected processing charges to unknown websites
• Saving official receipts and confirmation numbers
• Contacting a Nepalese embassy when uncertain

A website appearing high in search results is not necessarily an official government service.

Before You Fly to Nepal

• Check that your passport has at least six months of validity.
• Confirm your visa-on-arrival eligibility.
• Apply in advance when your nationality requires it.
• Use an official immigration application portal.
• Save your application and payment receipt.
• Carry your first accommodation address.
• Check transit-country visa requirements.
• Carry an onward or return ticket.
• Confirm your airline baggage allowance.
• Purchase appropriate travel insurance.
• Make digital copies of essential documents.
• Carry a backup method for paying the visa fee.

Before Leaving Nepal

• Check that your visa remains valid through your departure date.
• Resolve any overstay before arriving for your flight.
• Confirm your flight and airport.
• Allow enough time for traffic and airport procedures.
• Carry your passport and visa documentation.
• Keep receipts for exchanged currency when relevant.
• Confirm customs requirements for valuable purchases.
• Obtain export documentation for restricted items.
• Confirm the entry requirements of your next country.

Common Visa and Entry Mistakes

• Assuming every nationality qualifies for visa on arrival
• Traveling with less than six months of passport validity
• Using an unofficial visa website
• Completing an online form too early
• Entering a passport number incorrectly
• Carrying no backup payment method
• Assuming a free visa requires no application
• Overstaying by one or more days
• Working or volunteering on a tourist visa without approval
• Confusing a visa with a trekking permit
• Using an informal land-border crossing
• Assuming Aadhaar is sufficient proof of Indian nationality
• Failing to transfer a visa after replacing a passport
• Booking a flight before confirming travel-document eligibility

Nepal Visa and Entry FAQ

Can I obtain a Nepal visa at the airport?

Many eligible foreign nationals can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at a designated international airport. Certain nationalities and travel-document holders must apply in advance.

How much does a Nepal tourist visa cost?

The current standard fees are USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days and USD 125 for 90 days.

Are Nepal tourist visas multiple entry?

Standard tourist visas issued on arrival or through Nepalese diplomatic missions are generally multiple-entry visas.

Can I apply online?

Yes. Nepal’s Department of Immigration provides official online application services. Make sure you use an official government portal.

Does completing the online form guarantee entry?

No. The immigration officer at the port of entry has final authority over admission.

Do Indian citizens need a Nepal visa?

No. Indian citizens do not need a visa but must carry approved evidence of Indian nationality, normally a valid passport or voter identity card.

Can I enter Nepal using an Aadhaar card?

Indian travelers should not rely on Aadhaar as the required proof of nationality. Use a valid passport or accepted voter identity card.

Do children need a visa?

Children who are foreign nationals generally still require immigration processing. Many children under ten qualify for a gratis visa, subject to nationality-specific rules.

Can I extend my visa?

Tourist visas can generally be extended inside Nepal up to the annual maximum stay. Apply before the existing visa expires.

Can I work in Nepal on a tourist visa?

No. Paid employment generally requires appropriate work authorization and a working visa.

Can I volunteer on a tourist visa?

Formal volunteering may require additional organizational and government approval. Confirm the legal requirements before participating.

Do I need a separate permit for trekking?

Possibly. Your Nepal visa does not replace national park, conservation, TIMS or restricted-area permits.

What happens if I lose my passport?

Report the loss, obtain a replacement document through your embassy and contact Nepal’s Department of Immigration for visa transfer.

Can I use a visa obtained from an embassy at any time?

A visa issued through a Nepalese diplomatic mission normally must be used within the permitted entry-validity period, commonly within six months of issue. Check the visa itself and the issuing mission’s instructions.

Read the Nepal Travel FAQ