Visa guidelines for Nepal

Planning a Trip to Nepal? Here is a simple guide on how to get your visa, including the visa-on-arrival process:

Visa on Arrival

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal that offers Visa on Arrival. Other border entry points also provide this service for those entering via land.

Process Overview

• The Visa on Arrival process is quick and simple but expect some queues during peak tourist season. To avoid queues, you can consider getting your visa from a Nepalese Diplomatic Mission abroad before arrival. But most of our guests take it on arrival.
• If you obtain a visa from a Nepalese Diplomatic Mission, you must enter Nepal within six months from the visa issuance date. Your total stay begins from the day you enter Nepal.

Visa Type

On Arrival Visas are Tourist Visas with multiple re-entry facilities. If visiting for purposes other than tourism (e.g., mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and family), still get a Tourist Visa and then change the visa category with the Department of Immigration as needed.

Steps for Tourist Visa on Arrival

1. Fill in the Arrival Card:
   • Complete the ‘Arrival Card.’
   • Fill in the online ‘Tourist Visa’ form either prior to your arrival via the Department of Immigration’s website or using kiosk machines at the airport. If completed online, bring the submission receipt with the barcode. It is valid for 15 days.
2. Make Payment:
   • Pay for your visa based on your length of stay (15/30/90 days).
   • Get the payment receipt.
   • Various payment modes are available, but it is advisable to carry some cash.
   • Visa Fees:
     • 15 Days – 30 USD
     • 30 Days – 50 USD
     • 90 Days – 125 USD
3. Proceed to Immigration:
   • Go to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts, and passport.
   • Hand in your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. The officer will issue your visa upon satisfaction.

Special Cases

Nationals of the following countries must acquire a visa before arrival from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions (Embassies/Consulates) and cannot get a Visa on Arrival without an official letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal:

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

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost to:

• Children below 10 years
• SAARC citizens (except Afghanistan) for up to 30 days once a year. Afghan citizens need a recommendation from the Department of Immigration.
• Non-Residential Nepalese (NRN) card holders
• Chinese nationals
• Officials from China, Brazil, Russia, and Thailand based on reciprocal visa waiver agreements

Additional Information

• While planning to travel to Nepal, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in the country. This is to ensure that you have a valid passport throughout your stay.
• All visas, including Gratis Visas issued at the airport, are Tourist Visas. For visa extensions or category changes, contact the Department of Immigration.
• Tourist visa extensions can be done at the Immigration Office in Pokhara. Non-tourist visa extensions can only be done at the Department of Immigration for a maximum of one year (except business visas).

By following these guidelines, travelers can easily obtain their visas and enjoy hassle-free entry into Nepal. For more information, visit the official website here – Nepal Department of Immigration.