Nepal

Professional Immigration Services: Comprehensive Nepal Visa Framework

If you're planning to explore Nepal's magnificent Himalayas, conduct business in Kathmandu, or pursue academic opportunities, understanding visa requirements is crucial for seamless entry. Nepal maintains a highly accessible visa policy, welcoming international visitors through visa-on-arrival facilities at Tribhuvan International Airport and designated land border crossings, as well as an online Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) pre-registration system.

Key Traveler Categories Requiring Nepal Visas:

• Tourism Visitors: Trekking, cultural exploration, adventure tourism, mountaineering, visiting friends and families
• Business Professionals: Commercial activities, conferences, investments (all travelers must initially enter on tourist visas and convert visa category after arrival)
• Academic Researchers: Educational programs, cultural studies, Buddhist and Himalayan studies
• Transit Passengers: Specific duration requirements

Tourist Visa on arrival is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for purposes other than tourism, you should still obtain a tourist visa to enter the country, then change the visa category as per your purpose and length of stay from the Department of Immigration by producing required documents. Tourists obtaining visas on arrival may stay no more than 150 days in any given calendar year. Visas are issued in 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day increments, and may be extended at Department of Immigration offices.

Our expert team specializes in transforming complex immigration processes into clear, actionable strategies. Whether you're pursuing professional opportunities in this strategically located South Asian nation or seeking personal growth through Nepal's rich cultural heritage, we provide end-to-end guidance tailored to your unique situation.

Authoritative Reference: Nepal Department of Immigration (Updated January 2026)

The answer depends on your nationality and travel purpose. While Nepal offers visa-on-arrival and visa-free access to many countries, most travelers will need to obtain a visa before or upon entry.

Visa-Free Entry

Indian nationals enjoy complete visa-free access to Nepal for unlimited duration. Indian citizens are required to produce a passport or election card (Voter ID issued by Election Commission) sufficient enough to prove their Indian nationality. Chinese nationals holding official status do not need an entry visa based on a reciprocal visa waiver agreement.

Visa-on-Arrival Countries

Nepal provides visa-on-arrival at immigration offices at entry and exit points, including Tribhuvan International Airport and land borders. The visa on arrival is available for citizens of most countries, including:

• United States, Canada, Australia - 15, 30, or 90 days
• European Union countries - 15, 30, or 90 days
• United Kingdom - 15, 30, or 90 days
• Japan, South Korea, Singapore - 15, 30, or 90 days

SAARC citizens from countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival once in a given visa year.

Visa Required in Advance

Nationals of designated countries are requested to acquire a visa prior to their arrival from nearby diplomatic missions (embassies or consulates) of Nepal Government. Some nationalities including Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland, Syria, and Zimbabwe are not eligible for visa on arrival in Nepal and need to apply for a visa at a Nepalese embassy or consulate. These nationals will not get on arrival visa unless they have an official letter issued from Ministry of Home Affairs Nepal.

Passport Requirements

Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival in Nepal and should have at least one blank page for visa stamping. Nepal does not accept handwritten passports for entry and departure, requiring a valid Machine Readable Passport.

Transit Rules

Transit visas are valid for a maximum of 24 hours and cannot be extended. If you plan to leave the airport transit area during your layover, you will need to obtain the appropriate visa authorization for Nepal.

Always verify current requirements through the official Nepal Immigration website or your nearest Nepalese embassy before travel, as policies can change.

Nepal offers multiple visa categories designed to accommodate diverse travel purposes, from short-term tourism to extended business engagements. Understanding the specific visa type requirements ensures smooth application processing and appropriate legal status during your stay.

Tourist and Visitor Visas

Tourist Visa on Arrival is the only entry visa to Nepal. Tourist visas are available in 15-day (multiple-entry) and 30-day (multiple-entry) durations, as well as 90-day increments. All tourist visas bear multiple re-entry facility.

Tourists may stay no more than 150 days in any given calendar year, and visas may be extended at the Department of Immigration offices. Tourist visa extension is done for minimum 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days.

Business and Commercial Visas

If you are coming to Nepal for a business meeting, you will need to get a Tourist visa as an entry visa on arrival. The business visa is specifically designed for individuals who are visiting Nepal for long term business purposes. Business visas require government recommendations and company documentation, and the duration of stay depends on the length of the visa and the rules of the Department of Immigration in Nepal.

Student and Academic Visas

Study visa is issued to foreign students pursuing academic or non academic degree and research in Nepal upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Education. It is also issued to teachers or professors involved in academic work in Nepal upon recommendations from the concerned agencies of Nepal Government, issued for maximum of one year as per the recommendation or length of study. Applicants must show proof of admission and the financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses.

Employment and Work Visas

Only foreign nationals holding working visa are allowed to accept job and work in Nepal, issued by the Department of Immigration only upon the recommendation from line agency, Labour Permit from the Department of Labour and Work Agreement from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Foreign nationals undertaking paperwork and legal formalities for Work Visa with concerned institutions can stay in Nepal under Tourist Visas, with category of visa changing from Tourists to Non Tourist once all necessary paperwork is completed. Processing times commonly range from 4 to 8 weeks once all documents are complete, with short-term business or work visas processed more quickly, often in 2 to 4 weeks.

Transit and Special Categories

Transit visa is valid for a maximum of 24 hours and cannot be extended. Nepal Relationship Visa is issued to foreign-born family members of Nepalese citizens by the Nepal Department of Immigration. Residence visa is for retirees aged 60 and above, spouses of Nepalis, or large investors, with stricter document checks.

Processing Times by Visa Type

Tourist Visa: On-arrival processing at Tribhuvan International Airport typically takes 15-60 minutes, depending on queue length. Online pre-registration reduces processing time to 5-15 minutes compared to 1-3 hours for standard visa-on-arrival. Online application confirmations are valid for 15 days from submission.

Business and other visa types processed through Nepal consulates require 2-3 business days for standard processing. Embassy visa processing typically takes 1-4 business days.

Student Visa: Initial processing takes 7-10 business days, requiring educational institution verification.

Visa Fees and Costs

• 15-day tourist visa: 30 USD
• 30-day tourist visa: 50 USD
• 90-day tourist visa: 125 USD
• Business visa: 30 USD for one month, 300 USD for one year, 1,000 USD for five years
• Children under 10 years old are exempt from tourist visa fees

Application Locations

On-arrival: Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, and major land border crossings accept cash payments in USD or other major convertible currencies. Immigration officers typically refuse Nepali rupees and Indian currency at payment counters.

Online: Complete pre-registration through the official Department of Immigration portal before arrival to expedite processing.

Consulates: Nepal diplomatic missions worldwide process advance applications, with visas valid for entry within six months from the issue date.

Peak Season Considerations

High season during October-November and March-April can result in very long airport queues. Online pre-registration is strongly recommended during peak trekking seasons and does not cost extra.

Essential Documents

• Valid passport with 6 months or more validity and 2 blank pages
• Passport-sized photograph (or digital photo taken at airport)
• Completed application form (online or at arrival)
• Cash for exact visa fee in USD or other accepted currency
• Proof of accommodation and return flight itinerary (may be requested but not mandatory)

Validity and Extensions

Tourist visas are multiple-entry, allowing you to leave and re-enter Nepal during the validity period. Extensions are available for a minimum 15 days at 45 USD, with 3 USD per day charged for additional days. Maximum tourist stay is 150 days per calendar year (January to December). Overstay penalties are 5 USD per day for delays under 150 days.

Step 1: Determine Your Visa Category

Select the appropriate visa type based on your travel purpose: tourist, business, transit, or diplomatic. Tourist visas are available for 15, 30, or 90 days and are multiple-entry, while business visas require additional documentation including invitation letters from registered Nepalese companies.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

Compile essential documents including:

• Passport with minimum 6 months validity and at least one blank visa page
• Recent passport-sized photograph with light background
• Completed visa application form
• Supporting documents specific to visa category
• Payment in USD or other major currencies (EUR, GBP, AUD accepted)

Step 3: Complete Application Forms

Fill out the online application through the Nepal Department of Immigration website (nepaliport.immigration.gov.np) to receive a barcode receipt, print or save it, and bring it with you. On arrival, go to the visa counter, present your ETA receipt and passport, pay the fee, and get the visa. If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after. Alternatively, you can fill out the online Nepal Tourist Visa form using the Kiosk machines at the airport upon arrival. Double-check all information for accuracy before submission to avoid processing delays.

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit your application at:

• Nepalese embassy or consulate in your country
• Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, and Entry Points of Nepal
• Authorized land border crossings including Kakarvitta, Biratnagar, Birgunj, Belahiya/Bhairahawa, Gadda Chauki/Mahendranagar, and Timure

Step 5: Pay Visa Fees

Tourist visa fees remain $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), or $125 (90 days). Payment is accepted in US dollars or convertible foreign currency; international credit cards are also accepted, though credit card machines are more common in 2026, but network errors are frequent. Visa and Mastercard cards work sometimes, but unreliable machine connectivity causes payment failures. Always carry sufficient USD cash (pristine Series 2013+ bills) as primary payment method with credit cards as backup only. At land borders, U.S. citizens must carry U.S. cash to pay their Nepali visa fees. Credit cards or other currencies will not be accepted.

Step 6: Track Processing Status

The Nepal visa on arrival airport process typically takes 30-60 minutes during normal periods and 60-120 minutes during peak trekking seasons (September-November, March-May). Processing time depends on number of arriving flights, queue lengths at kiosks and payment counters, and immigration desk staffing. Off-season months (June-August, December-February) see fastest processing at 30-45 minutes total. For embassy applications, visa processing time is up to 2-3 business days. Complete online pre-registration before arrival to save 10-15 minutes by skipping kiosk queues.

Step 7: Collect Your Visa

Retrieve your processed visa from the submission location. Nepal e-visa is a pre-registration system, not a visa waiver. You must still obtain physical visa stamp in your passport at Kathmandu airport. Present your printed e-visa barcode receipt to immigration officer, pay visa fee (if not paid online), and receive visa stamp. E-visa simply speeds up the process—it does not eliminate the passport stamp requirement. Verify all details immediately and report any discrepancies before departure.