Nepal Visa Information

Nepal Visa Information helps travellers plan for entry requirements, visa fees, and border procedures before a Nepal tour. Rules can change with little notice. Nepal Visa Information here reflects widely published government and embassy guidance, plus major travel-advice sources that summarise current practice.

Nepal Visa Information matters most when travel plans include trekking, multiple cities, or overland entry. Nepal Visa Information also helps travellers avoid last‑minute problems at immigration counters and land borders.

Key points from Nepal Visa Information for 2026/2027:

• Most foreign nationals (except Indian citizens) need a visa to enter Nepal.
• Nepal visa on arrival equals a tourist visa and allows multiple re‑entry.
• Tourist visa fees remain US$30 (15 days), US$50 (30 days), and US$125 (90 days).
• Using the online pre‑arrival form can reduce time at immigration. Nepal Visa Information sources note a 15‑day window for online submissions.
• Visa extensions are processed through immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with a 150‑day limit per visa year.
• Trekking needs separate permits. Nepal Visa Information for trekkers must include TIMS rules, national park fees, and restricted‑area permits.

Nepal Visa Information at a glance

Nepal Visa Information begins with how Nepal handles entry visas. Nepal issues a tourist visa as the entry visa at airports and selected land borders for eligible nationalities.

Nepal Visa Information also highlights a practical reality: travellers often complete visa steps in the same airport hall or border office, where queues form quickly. Online form completion before arrival can help, even if travellers still pay and collect the visa at the entry point.

Nepal Visa Information checklist for smooth entry:

• Carry a passport with at least 6 months’ validity after entry, plus spare blank space for stamps.
• Prepare hotel details for the first night, since border control can ask for proof of accommodation.
• Carry travel insurance that covers medical care and emergency evacuation, since border staff can request proof.
• Carry cash in US dollars as a backup, even when card payment works.
• Plan visa length to cover trekking days plus buffer for weather and transport delays.

Nepal Visa Information works best when travellers treat the visa as one part of the entry plan, not the full plan. Trekking permits, park fees, and restricted‑area rules sit outside the visa system.

Nepal visa policy and visa types

Nepal Visa Information starts with one core rule: most foreign travellers need a visa, while Indian nationals do not. Nepal Visa Information also needs clear visa type language, since travellers often mix terms:

Tourist visa (including visa on arrival)
Nepal visa on arrival is a tourist visa. Nepal Visa Information sources describe visa on arrival as the main entry visa and note multiple re‑entry for tourist visas issued at entry points.

Business visa and work visa
Nepal Visa Information for business travel needs one practical warning. Travellers still enter Nepal on a tourist visa at the border when eligible, then change visa category inside Nepal through the Department of Immigration with sponsor documents.
Work activity is not allowed under a tourist visa. Nepal Visa Information targeted at business travellers should emphasize compliance with the visa category.

Transit visa
Nepal Visa Information defines a transit visa as a short-stay option for travellers who pass through Nepal and require up to 24 hours. Available guidance lists a transit visa fee of US$5 and a limit of 24 hours.

Nepal Visa Information often mentions another rule that affects trip planning: a visa year runs from January to December, and tourist stay limits apply within that year.

Nepal visa on arrival process at Kathmandu airport and the border

Nepal Visa Information often focuses on the visa-on-arrival route because travellers use it most. Visa on arrival works at major airports and selected land borders for eligible nationalities.

Where travellers get a visa on arrival

Nepal Visa Information sources list visa on arrival points that include:

• Tribhuvan International Airport
• Kakarbhitta
• Raxaul – Birgunj
• Sunauli – Belhiya (near Bhairahawa)
• Nepalgunj
• Mohana (Dhangadhi)
• Gaddachauki (Mahendranagar)
• Kodari
• Kerung – Rasuwagadhi

Nepal Visa Information also notes the expansion of airport options for tourist visa on arrival. Nepal Tourism Board lists visa-on-arrival availability at Pokhara International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport, in addition to the main Kathmandu airport.

Step-by-step process at the airport

Nepal Visa Information points travellers to two entry workflows: pre‑arrival online form or on‑site terminal/kiosk form.

Step one: complete the visa form
Nepal Visa Information guidance for UK travellers states that travellers can apply online for a visa on arrival up to 15 days before arrival, then use the submission receipt at the airport.
Nepal Visa Information also notes a strict timing detail from the embassy: the online application can remain in the system for 15 days, after which it will be automatically deleted. Form timing needs planning.
Travellers who do not use the online form can use the airport terminals and then join the visa queue.

Step two: pay the visa fee
Nepal Visa Information from UK travel advice states that card payments can work, but a cash backup in US dollars is helpful.
Nepal Visa Information from the Nepal Tourism Board also notes the acceptance of US dollars and other convertible currencies, as well as international credit cards.

Step three: reach the immigration counter and collect the stamp
Nepal Visa Information sources describe the final step as queuing at the immigration counter with a passport and the visa stamp receipt.

Typical waiting time and how to reduce it

Nepal Visa Information cannot guarantee a fixed wait time, as queues depend on flight schedules and staffing. Nepal Visa Information sources warn about long lines during peak season and encourage advance planning.
Reports from major border posts show multi‑hour waits can happen, especially at busy land entry offices.

Ways Nepal Visa Information helps travellers reduce wait stress:

• Submit the online form within the allowed window and keep the receipt ready.
• Carry exact or clean US dollar notes plus a working payment card.
• Keep first-night hotel details ready for quick answers at the counter.

Nepal Visa Information for overland entry adds one more practice tip: reach the border early in the day, since processing delays can affect onward buses and private transfers. Congestion reports at Belhiya show how quickly crowds build.

Nepal tourist visa fees, payments, and budgeting

Nepal Visa Information frequently ranks for “Nepal visa fee” searches because travellers want clear costs. Official tourism guidance lists tourist visa fees for multiple-entry options.

Nepal tourist visa fee breakdown

Nepal Visa Information commonly uses the standard fee set:

Nepal tourist visa duration	Nepal visa fee
15 days	US$30
30 days	US$50
90 days	US$125

Nepal Visa Information sources align on these fees, including national tourism guidance and embassy guidance for on‑arrival applicants.

Payment methods at entry points

Nepal Visa Information for payment planning includes two key messages:

• Card payments can work. Carry cash anyway. US dollars often work best as backup.
• Currency condition matters. Embassy advice warns against damaged or marked US notes in some contexts. Clean notes reduce rejection risk.

Nepal Visa Information also supports travellers who plan to pay in other convertible currencies, as the Nepal Tourism Board references their use alongside US dollars.

What budget needs to cover beyond the visa fee

Nepal Visa Information becomes more accurate when travellers budget for “visa plus permits.” A tourist visa covers legal entry and stay. Park entry fees, trekking permits, and restricted-area permits incur additional costs.

Nepal Visa Information for trekking budgets often includes:

• TIMS card fees by nationality group (SAARC vs others) when a route requires TIMS.
• National park or conservation area entry fees (often paid at entry points or at the tourist service centre).
• Restricted‑area trekking permit fees are often quoted in US dollars in blocks of days or weeks.

Nepal visa extension and overstay rules

Nepal Visa Information for longer stays matters most for trekkers, slow travellers, and multi‑region tour schedules. Nepal permits tourist visa extension through immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Where to extend a tourist visa

Nepal Visa Information points to two main extension locations:

• Department of Immigration in Kathmandu
• Immigration office in Pokhara

Nepal Visa Information sources also note that a tourist visa extension can run up to 120 days within a visa year, then allow an extra 30 days through the Department of Immigration, bringing the total to 150 days.

Minimum extension period and costs

Nepal Visa Information from Nepal Tourism Board states that a tourist visa extension starts with a minimum 15‑day extension costing US$45, then adds US$3 per day beyond the first 15 days.

Nepal Visa Information also adds a timing rule that affects the cost. Late extension (after expiry) triggers an additional US$5 per day delay charge for up to 150 days.

Overstay penalties and how to clear them

Nepal Visa Information should treat overstay as a serious risk, not a minor fee. UK travel advice calls overstaying a serious crime and notes the risk of significant fines or imprisonment. Nepal Visa Information from official tourism guidance also shows that late fines apply per day when travellers delay extension.

Practical steps from Nepal Visa Information to avoid overstay:

• Check the visa expiry date on the entry stamp before leaving the counter.
• Submit the extension plan early enough to avoid “late day” fees after expiry. Embassy guidance provides a clear example of a delay after expiry triggering a late fee for that day.
• Leave buffer days for trekking routes that may face weather delays, roadblocks, or flight cancellations. Guiding and permit rules can affect trek timing, too.

Nepal Visa Information for long stays should also specify the visa validity period. Tourists on a year-long visa cannot exceed 150 days in total.

Nationality rules and eligibility for a visa on arrival

Nepal Visa Information needs a nationality section because visa-on-arrival access does not apply to everyone. Nepal Tourism Board lists a “no provision of on-arrival visa” set of nationalities who need a visa before arrival, plus refugees with travel documents.

Nationals who must apply in advance

Nepal Visa Information sources list these nationalities as not eligible for visa on arrival:

• Afghanistan
• Cameroon
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iraq
• Nigeria
• Liberia
• Palestine
• Somalia
• Eswatini (Swaziland)
• Syria
• Zimbabwe
• Refugees travelling with travel documents

Nepal Visa Information for these travellers should advise early planning with the nearest Nepal embassy or consulate, as border denials can incur high costs and disruption.

SAARC rules and a gratis visa

Nepal Visa Information also covers regional visa benefits. Nepal Tourism Board offers a free tourist visa to SAARC citizens (except Afghan nationals) for up to 30 days when the traveller visits Nepal for the first time in a given visa year. Embassy guidance also notes that Chinese nationals may be eligible for a fee exemption for a tourist visa.

Nepal Visa Information includes one special case from official guidance: Afghan citizens can access a gratis visa on arrival only with a recommendation through the Department of Immigration.

Indian citizens and entry documents

Nepal Visa Information treats Indian entry rules as separate. Indian nationals do not need a visa to enter Nepal. Nepal Tourism Board lists acceptable identity documents and also notes that Aadhaar does not work as a travel document.

Nepal Visa Information advice for Indian travellers:

• Carry an accepted photo identity document listed in official tourism guidance.
• Keep entry and exit stamps safe when travelling by land, since domestic permits and hotel check‑ins can depend on proof of lawful entry. Systems like FNMIS also increase data checks across providers.

Land borders, trekking permits, and travel planning tips

Nepal Visa Information becomes more valuable when it covers land entry plus trekking reality. Many Nepal tours combine cultural cities with national parks and trekking routes. Visa rules and trekking permit rules interact, but they remain different systems.

Nepal visa for land border entry

Nepal Visa Information for overland travel often focuses on these major crossings:

• Raxaul–Birgunj (common for arrivals via Bihar)
• Sunauli–Bhairahawa/Belhiya (common for arrivals via Gorakhpur)
• Kakarbhitta (common for East Nepal and connections toward Darjeeling/Sikkim)
• Rasuwagadhi (common for road entry from the Tibet side via Kerung)
• Nepalgunj (common for West Nepal and road links toward the far‑west)

Nepal Visa Information should set expectations for travellers who cross by land. Border posts can face staffing and crowd issues, and media reports describe waits of several hours at busy posts.

Office working hours and planning for border crossings
Nepal Visa Information should treat office hours as variable by post and season. Nepal government offices commonly operate Sunday to Thursday and run shorter hours on Friday, with Saturday as a weekly holiday. Ministry office hours show that pattern.
Travellers gain safety and flexibility when crossing borders during daylight and include a buffer day in their plans, especially when onward transport depends on same‑day processing. Congestion reports at Belhiya support that buffer approach.

Special permits for trekking areas

Nepal Visa Information must clearly state one key idea: a visa does not equal a trekking permit.

Nepal Visa Information for trekking includes three main permit layers:

Tourist visa
A tourist visa covers only legal entry and stay. Visa on arrival provides multiple re‑entry.

TIMS card and licensed guide rules
Nepal Visa Information for trekking must reflect updated TIMS rules. Nepal Tourism Board states that revised TIMS provisions require a licensed trekking guide and a trekking agency-issued TIMS card for many protected‑area routes, effective from March 31, 2023.
Nepal Tourism Board lists the specific trekking regions and routes where that requirement applies, including major routes such as Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit, and Langtang.
Nepal Visa Information for 2026/2027 should treat that requirement as the planning baseline unless official local rules confirm an exception.

Restricted area permits
Nepal Visa Information for restricted zones must include special trekking permits. Nepal Tourism Board states that trekkers must obtain special trekking permits from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu for restricted areas, and it lists fee bands for major restricted regions such as Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo.

Nepal Visa Information for trekkers also needs park entry fees:

• National park and conservation area entry fees apply for many trekking regions and can be paid at entry points or at the tourist service centre.
• Sagarmatha National Park and Annapurna Conservation Area fees appear in official fee tables, separate from visa costs.

Online visa application system

Nepal Visa Information for online forms needs clear timing and document steps.

• UK travel advice states that the online application for a visa on arrival can start up to 15 days before arrival, and travellers then collect and pay at the airport using the submission receipt.
• Embassy guidance states that the online application remains active for 15 days before being deleted from the system, so travellers should not submit too early.
• Embassy guidance also recommends printing the receipt and presenting it to immigration authorities.

Nepal Visa Information for online forms should also remind travellers to keep their address details ready, as the online form often requests their residence address and Nepal address. Embassy guidance flags that requirement.

Travel insurance and health entry requirements

Nepal Visa Information should treat insurance and health rules as part of the entry plan.

UK entry guidance notes that border control can ask for travel insurance covering healthcare costs, including repatriation and other emergencies.
The Nepal government health guidance states that Nepal requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers aged 9 months or over who arrive from countries with yellow fever risk, including travellers who transit for more than 12 hours through an airport in a risk country. Nepal health guidance also lists several countries where a polio vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from them.
CDC travel health guidance lists routine travel vaccine recommendations by itinerary and risk, including hepatitis A, typhoid, and other vaccines depending on activities and duration.

Nepal Visa Information for trekking safety should still stress medical evacuation cover, since high‑altitude trekking can require expensive rescue support. UK travel advice emphasises the importance of insurance for healthcare costs and emergencies.

Updated Nepal Visa Information for 2026/2027

Nepal Visa Information changes in 2026 include stronger digital tracking and registration through the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS). Major Nepali media reports describe a phased rollout starting January 1, 2026, in star‑rated hotels in the Kathmandu Valley, with wider expansion planned from March 1, 2026, across hotels and travel service providers. Nepal Visa Information for travellers should treat FNMIS as a practical reason to keep details consistent across visa forms, hotel bookings, domestic flights, and trekking agency paperwork.

Nepal Visa Information FAQ

Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Nepal Visa Information sources confirm that visa on arrival operates as a tourist visa at major airports and listed land borders for eligible nationalities. Some nationalities must apply in advance.

How long does it take to process a Nepal visa?
Nepal Visa Information cannot guarantee a fixed time. Using online forms can reduce time, but queues still form at entry points. Reports from busy borders describe multi‑hour waits on peak days.

Can I extend my Nepal tourist visa?
Nepal Visa Information confirms extension options in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Official tourism guidance lists a minimum 15‑day extension and per‑day pricing beyond that, with a maximum 150 days in a visa year.

What happens if I overstay?
Nepal Visa Information sources warn that overstaying can trigger fines and legal trouble. Official guidance lists daily late fines for delayed extension, and UK advice labels overstay as a serious offence with potential large fines or imprisonment.

Do children need a visa?
Nepal Visa Information sources list several “gratis visa” cases. Tourism guidance lists a free visa for children under 10 years old (except for US citizens), as well as other categories such as SAARC first‑visit users in a visa year and Chinese nationals.

Do trekking permits replace a visa?
Nepal Visa Information states no. A tourist visa covers entry and stay. TIMS, park entry fees, and restricted‑area permits cover trekking compliance.