Nepal Visa Requirements: How to Get a Visa on Arrival

For most international visitors, getting a Nepal tourist visa is straightforward but also Nepal visa requirements depend on the passport you travel with, many visitors can get a tourist visa on arrival. Many travelers can obtain a visa on arrival, either by completing the official online form before flying or by using an airport kiosk. Your passport must generally be valid for at least six months, and you should check your nationality’s visa-on-arrival eligibility before you travel on official immigration department website.

Here are the current tourist visa fees:

These are tourist visa fees. The immigration officer issues the visa at the point of entry after checking your documents and payment. Rules, eligibility and online services can change, so confirm your details with Nepal’s Department of Immigration before departure.

Do you need a visa to visit Nepal?

Most foreign visitors need a tourist visa to enter Nepal. Indian citizens do not need a visa. Some other travelers may qualify for a free, or “gratis,” tourist visa for a limited period; this is different from entering visa-free because a visa is still issued.

Visa rules depend on the passport you travel with. Before booking, check whether your nationality can receive a visa on arrival or must apply in advance through a Nepalese embassy or diplomatic mission.

Nepal visa on arrival: who can get one?

Many nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at designated immigration entry points. Travelers arriving by air may apply at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and other designated international airports. Visa-on-arrival services are also available at certain official land crossings.

The Department of Immigration lists nationals of the following countries as ineligible for a visa on arrival:

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Zimbabwe
• Eswatini, listed on some official pages as Swaziland
• Cameroon
• Somalia
• Liberia
• Ethiopia
• Iraq
• Palestine
• Afghanistan
• Syria

Travelers with passports from these countries should arrange a visa through a Nepalese embassy or diplomatic mission before travelling. If you hold an Iranian passport or a refugee travel document, contact the nearest Nepalese mission before booking: Nepal Tourism Board guidance has included additional restrictions for these cases.

Nepal tourist visa fees and stay limits

The standard tourist visa is available for 15, 30 or 90 days. Tourist visa fees are US$30, US$50 and US$125, respectively. These visas are multiple-entry, but the number of days granted still sets the limit on how long you may stay.

Your stay is counted from your date of entry into Nepal. A tourist visa can generally be extended in Nepal, but the total tourist stay may not exceed 150 days in one calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December.

How to get a Nepal visa on arrival

You can complete the official visa-on-arrival form online before travelling or use a kiosk at Tribhuvan International Airport. The online form is not the visa itself; it gives you a submission receipt to take to immigration.

Before you fly

• Open the official Nepal Immigration portal.
• Choose the visa-on-arrival application and enter the details exactly as they appear in your passport.
• Submit the form within 15 days of your arrival. The submission receipt is valid for 15 days.
• Print or save the receipt with its barcode.
• Carry your passport and have your first address in Nepal and travel details available in case an officer asks for them.

Use only official government portals. Nepal Immigration has warned travelers about fraudulent websites and unauthorized online visa-fee payments.

At the airport

After landing, follow the signs for arrival immigration and visa on arrival. If you have not completed the online form, use an available kiosk. Pay the visa fee at the designated bank or payment counter, then take your passport, form receipt and payment confirmation to the immigration desk. The immigration officer reviews your application and issues the visa.

Payment options can vary by location. Carrying enough cash as a backup is sensible, even if card payment is available. During busy travel periods, allow extra time for queues.

Can you apply for a Nepal visa online?

Yes. Nepal Immigration provides online services, but there are different application routes, so check which one applies to your trip.

Visa-on-arrival pre-application: Submit the form before travel, then complete payment and visa issuance at the entry point. The barcode receipt is not an approved visa.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or eVisa: If you use the Department of Immigration’s ETA/eVisa route, follow the current portal instructions for eligibility, documents, payment and approval. Carry the issued approval when you travel.

Visa through an embassy or mission: Travelers who need to apply in advance can use a Nepalese embassy or diplomatic mission. If a visa is issued by a Nepalese mission, you must enter Nepal within six months of its issue date.

Nepal visa requirements: passport and documents

For a tourist visa, prepare:

• A passport valid for at least six months
• A completed online application or the ability to complete it at an arrival kiosk
• The visa fee, unless you qualify for a gratis visa
• The online submission receipt or visa approval, depending on the application route

A passport photograph may be requested as part of an application. Follow the photo and document instructions shown on the official portal or provided by the Nepalese mission handling your application.

Keep your accommodation address and onward or return travel details accessible. They are useful for completing the application and may be requested, but do not treat them as substitutes for the passport and visa requirements.

Visa-free and gratis visa categories

The main distinctions for ordinary tourist travel are:

• Indian citizens: Do not need a visa to enter Nepal.
• SAARC nationals: Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka may receive a gratis visa for up to 30 days on their first visit in a visa year. Afghan citizens have separate conditions and need a recommendation from Nepal’s Department of Immigration for a gratis visa on arrival.
• Chinese citizens: Eligible for a gratis tourist visa under Nepal’s current provisions.
• Children under 10: Generally eligible for a gratis visa, except US citizens.

A gratis visa means the visa fee is waived; it does not remove the need to complete entry formalities. Check the Department of Immigration’s current terms before travel, especially if you have already visited Nepal in the same calendar year.

Entering Nepal by land

If you are travelling Nepal overland, enter through an official immigration crossing and make sure your passport is stamped or your entry is recorded. Nepal Tourism Board lists designated crossings on the India–Nepal and China–Nepal borders, including Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar and Kodari.

Border facilities and operating conditions can change. Before setting off, confirm that your chosen crossing is open to international travelers and can process the visa you need. Do not cross at an unofficial point.

Extending a Nepal tourist visa

You can apply to extend a tourist visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or the Immigration Office in Pokhara. The current fee is US$45 for the first 15 days of extension, followed by US$3 for each additional day. The maximum combined tourist stay is 150 days per calendar year.

Apply before your current visa expires. The Department of Immigration lists an overstay fine of US$5 per day; overstaying can also delay your departure. Confirm the current fee and required documents with the immigration office when you apply.

Before you travel Nepal: a quick checklist

• Check the visa rules for the passport you will use.
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months.
• If eligible for visa on arrival, submit the online form within 15 days of arriving and save the barcode receipt.
• If you need a visa in advance, apply through an official Nepalese embassy or mission.
• Carry the visa fee or confirm the official payment options for your entry point.
• If entering by land, use a designated immigration crossing.
• Keep a copy of your visa, passport details and travel information accessible during your trip.

Visa rules can change. Check the Department of Immigration’s official visa information before departure, particularly if your nationality has special conditions.

Check Nepal Travel Information for more information.

Frequently asked questions about Nepal visas