Nepal tourist visas are available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport for citizens of most countries. The process is straightforward and has improved significantly with the introduction of online pre-registration.
Who needs a visa: Citizens of most countries require a tourist visa. Indian nationals do not require a visa for Nepal. Citizens of a small number of countries (currently including China, which requires an advance visa from Nepal's embassy abroad) must obtain their visa before travelling. Check Nepal Immigration's official website (nepal.gov.np) for the current country list.
Visa on arrival fees and process: USD 30 for 15 days (single entry), USD 50 for 30 days (multiple entry), USD 125 for 90 days (multiple entry). Payment accepted in USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CNY, AUD, SGD, Thai Baht and Indian Rupees. Credit and debit cards are now accepted at most TIA visa counters. Required at the counter: valid passport (minimum 6 months remaining), two recent passport photographs and completed arrival form. Processing typically takes 20–40 minutes.
Online pre-registration: Nepal Immigration offers online pre-registration at nepal.gov.np, allowing submission of details before travel and accessing the faster pre-registration queue at the airport.
Visa extension: Tourist visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (Maitighar). Cost: USD 3 per day. Maximum stay per calendar year: 150 days.
The easiest way to get a tourist visa for Nepal is by applying on your arrival, but you can also apply in advance. Here are the three current ways to obtain your Nepal visa:
a) Apply upon your arrival at Kathmandu’s international airport (TIA);
b) At any of the land border crossings open to foreigners (each has an Immigration office);
c) Apply at one of Nepal’s foreign consulates from abroad, in advance.
There are three options for the length of a tourist visa (for nationals of SAARC countries, the first 30 days is free):
a) 15 days - $25 USD
b) 30 days - $40 USD
c) 90 days - $100 USD
d) Multiple-entry - $20 USD (useful if going back-and-forth between Tibet/India)
You’ll find visa application forms in the arrivals’ hall, as well as electronic registration machines that read your passport, take your photo, and print out a completed form to submit to immigration. Just in case, be sure to have the following items handy:
a) One passport-sized photo with a light background;
b) Cash to pay the visa fee (USD is best, especially at land crossings, but you can also pay with EUR, CHF, GBP, AUD, CAD, HKD, SGD, and JPY);
c) A passport that is valid for at least six months.
Please note that the following nationalities cannot obtain a visa-on-arrival: AFG, IRQ, CMR, GHA, SOM, SWZ, PSE, ZWE, NGA, ETH, and LBR.
Expert tip: Fill out your disembarkation card on the plane so you can quickly move through the queue in the arrivals’ lounge.
Since 2014, you can apply for a tourist visa online within 15 days of your date of arrival in Nepal. You’ll need the address of your hotel and a recent digital version of a passport-sized photo that you can upload to the application. Once you’ve submitted the form, print out the confirmation receipt and show this to the Immigration officer upon arrival along with your passport and the proper amount to pay for your visa.
To apply online, click here: http://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/tourist-visa
You can extend your Nepal visa for up to 150 days at the Immigration Department in Kathmandu or Pokhara. It costs $30 for 15 days, and $2 per day after that. Usually the turn-around is the same day, and you’ll need to submit your passport, extension fee, one photo and the application extension form to complete the process.
1. It’s a good idea to bring 4-5 passport photos from home for your visa and trekking permit applications, and official documents;
2. Kathmandu's airport has bank counters where you can exchange currencies;
3. It also has a photo booth to create passport-sized photos, if you forgot to bring some;
4. Having a couple photocopies of your passport is always handy while traveling;
5. Bring extra USD cash and convert a small amount at the airport to pay for your taxi to Thamel, where you can convert the rest at a better exchange rate.
If you want to find out more about things to do, major places to visit in Nepal or need our assistance for planning your Nepal holiday, simply send us an email and we will get back to you right away.
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