• Shankar Neupane
  • Updated on Jun 11, 2024

New and Updated Visa Regulations for Nepal in 2024? Getting a Visa to Nepal Travel?

New and Updated Visa Regulations for Nepal in 2024? Getting a Visa to Nepal Travel?

New and Updated Visa Regulations for Nepal in 2023? Getting a Visa to Nepal Travel?

Nepal, an Asian country, is renowned for its magnificent temples, diverse culture, and being the home to eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest, the tallest one. Besides trekking the Himalayas, Nepal offers a plethora of attractions for tourists. Exploring the numerous temples, immersing in the Nepalese culture, meeting locals, and browsing through bustling markets to find exquisite handicrafts are just some of the experiences to be had. To make things easier, the Nepalese government has simplified the visa application process, allowing most foreigners to obtain a visa upon arrival at the Nepal airport or land borders. This article provides comprehensive information about the Nepal visa, including its requirements, application process, fees, types, and answers to common queries.

Who Needs a Visa for Nepal?

Foreigners who plan to visit Nepal are required to obtain a visa, with a few exceptions. Here are the general guidelines:
  1. Nationals of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries, including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, do not require a visa to enter Nepal. However, they must have a valid passport or another acceptable travel document.
  2. Citizens of China (including Hong Kong and Macau) also do not need a visa to enter Nepal. However, they must obtain a "group visa" if traveling as part of an organized tour group.
  3. All other foreign nationals, including citizens from countries outside SAARC and China, must obtain a visa to enter Nepal. This includes tourists, business travelers, and individuals visiting for other purposes.

Nepal Tourist Visa

Foreigners visiting Nepal for tourist or leisure purposes must obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa. However, regardless of your reason for visiting Nepal, you will be issued a tourist visa upon your arrival. Then, depending on the reason you're in Nepal, you can change the category of visa from the Nepal Department of Immigration to match the purpose and duration of your trip.

For example, if you wish to work in Nepal, you will still enter the country with a Tourist Visa, but you must apply to the Department of Immigration to alter the category to a Work Visa; otherwise, you will be unable to work or stay in Nepal for an extended period of time.
 

 

Table of Contents

How to Get Nepali Visa?

Getting a visa for Nepal is a straightforward process, and there are two main methods to obtain it: Visa on Arrival, applying Online, and at an Embassy. When it comes to visa fees, various currencies are accepted, excluding credit cards, Indian rupees, and Nepali currency.
At the Embassy, you can pay the visa fee using any currency they accept. However, if you choose to obtain a visa on arrival at the airport entry point, it is preferable to pay in U.S. dollars. It's important to note that when crossing the border, only U.S. dollars are accepted as payment for the visa fee.

1. Nepali Visa On Arrival

Upon arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, you will need to complete an arrival card and have your photo taken. To save time, it is recommended to complete the arrival card online in advance, which can be done within 15 days before your arrival. If you choose to complete the process upon arrival, be prepared for a wait of over an hour with queues. This information aims to simplify the visa process for travelers entering Nepal, making it easier to plan your visit to this captivating country.

2. Nepali Visa At Embassy

To obtain a visa for Nepal, you can follow the traditional route of applying at the country's embassy. The processing time for pre-approved visas is typically around three working days, and the cost depends on the type of visa you are applying for. There are several options available, each with a different duration and corresponding fee.

For example, a 15-day visa costs US$30, a 30-day visa is priced at US$50, and a 90-day visa can be obtained for US$125. It's worth noting that all visas issued by the Nepal Immigration Office are now multiple-entry visas, allowing for more flexibility in travel.

The application process is relatively straightforward. You will need your original passport with at least one blank visa page, which should be valid for at least six months beyond your departure date from Nepal. Additionally, two passport-sized photos, a completed application form, and the required fee are necessary.

You can acquire the visa from any Nepali Embassy or diplomatic mission worldwide, not necessarily the one in your home country, as not every country has a Nepali embassy. If applying in a different country, you will need to provide proof of residency. It's important to note that the visa remains valid for six months from the date of issue.

3. Nepali Visa Online

Although it is not currently possible to apply for a Nepalese visa entirely online, you can fill out the application form in advance on the official website of the Nepali Office of Immigration (https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online). This online application must be completed within 15 days of your intended arrival in Nepal. During the application process, you will need to provide details such as the address of your hotel and upload a digital copy of your passport photo. After submitting the application, you will receive a confirmation receipt. Upon arriving in Nepal, you will need to present this receipt, along with your passport and the applicable visa fee, to the immigration desk. Once processed, you will be issued your Nepal visa.
 

Nepal Tourist Visa Requirements

To obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa, you will need to visit the Nepal Department of Immigration in Kathmandu if your purpose of travel is other than tourism. The specific documents required for a Nepal Tourist Visa are as follows:
  • Completed online and printed Nepal Tourist Visa Application Form.
  • Original passport with a validity of at least six months and at least two blank visa pages.
  • Photocopies of the personal information page of your passport.
  • Recent passport-size photographs of yourself (1.5 inches x 1.5 inches) with a white background. It's recommended to have multiple photographs for visa extensions, fee payments, or other purposes.
  • Proof of accommodation in Nepal, such as a hotel reservation or address details.
  • Valid return flight or travel ticket.
  • Proof of sufficient financial means, such as bank statements from the past three months.
  • Evidence of payment for the Nepal visa fee.

Please note that these requirements are specific to a Nepal Tourist Visa. Different types of visas may have additional or varying document requirements.

 

New Visa Fee Structure and Extension

Tourist Visa Fee

Updated Visa Fee

15 Days

US $30 for Single/Multiple Entry

30 Days

US $50 for Single/Multiple Entry

90 Days

US $125 for Single/Multiple Entry

Visa Extension(Within Valid Visa Period)

US $3 per day

Visa Extension(With Multiple Entries)

Additional US $25

Visa Extension(After Valid Visa Period)

Late Fee US $5 per day


After the documentation is submitted, you must pay the visa fee at the payment counter, which is US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, or US$125 for 90 days. Unless they are US citizens, children under the age of 10 are not required to pay for their tourist visas. Although most major currencies are accepted as payment, it is suggested to bring small bills.  Finally, enjoy Nepal and then proceed to the immigration desk with your arrival form, payment receipt, and passport.

About Visa Extension Fees

If you decide that you want to see more of Nepal's mountains and monasteries, you can renew your visa at the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara for up to 150 days in a calendar year (January to December).

  • To extend a tourist visa in Nepal, you are required to pay a minimum fee of USD 45 for a 15-day extension. For any additional days beyond the initial 15, an extra charge of USD 3 per day applies.
  • If you fail to extend your visa within 150 days, you will be subject to a late fine of USD 5 per day for the duration of the delay.

If you overstay your visa, you will be fined US$5 per day and may have difficulty accessing Nepal in the future. Allow several days between the finish of a hike and your international trip home in case of difficulties returning to Kathmandu from the trailhead.
 

After you enter Nepal with a Tourist Visa

All visitors from outside Nepal will be given a tourist visa. Then, if your trip is for a reason other than tourist or leisure (such as job, investment, or research), you can apply to the Nepal Department of Immigration to change the category of your visa, which also alters the length of your visa.
 


 

Shankar Neupane

Shankar Neupane

An engineering graduate from Tribhuvan University who was passionate about trekking, climbing, and mountain tourism began his adventure trip in the Himalayas when he was still a teenager. At last, he finds a way to make his interests and pastimes pay the bills. Shankar was very impressed by the snow-capped mountains, trekking, and climbing in the Himalayas because he grew up surrounded by the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu regions.

Call us on WhatsApp+977 9851074814OrChat with us