Nepal offers one of the most straightforward visa processes in Asia, with visa-on-arrival available to citizens of most countries at Tribhuvan International Airport and all major land border crossings. Tourist visas cost USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days, payable in cash or card at immigration counters. Indian nationals do not require a visa at all, and several SAARC country citizens enjoy free or simplified entry.
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about entering Nepal in 2026, from the online pre-arrival form to extension procedures, so you can spend less time in queues and more time exploring the Himalayas.
Who Needs a Visa to Enter Nepal?
Almost every foreign national visiting Nepal requires a tourist visa, with a few important exceptions. Understanding which category you fall into saves considerable time at the border.
No visa required:
- Indian citizens — India and Nepal share an open border. Indians can enter freely with a valid passport, voter ID, or Aadhaar card. No stamp, no fee, no time limit.
- Chinese citizens — Granted free visa-on-arrival for up to 30 days as part of a bilateral agreement renewed in 2024.
Free SAARC visa (30 days): Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka receive a complimentary 30-day tourist visa on arrival. You still need to fill in the arrival card and queue at immigration, but no fee is charged.
Visa-on-arrival (most other nationalities): Citizens of over 100 countries — including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and most of Europe — can obtain a visa on arrival at any entry point.
Restricted nationalities: Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan must apply at a Nepali embassy before travel. Visa-on-arrival is not available for these nationalities.
How Does the Visa-on-Arrival Process Work?
The visa-on-arrival process at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has been significantly modernised. Here is the step-by-step procedure:
Step 1: Fill the Online Arrival Form (Before Your Flight) Visit Nepal's Department of Immigration website (online.nepalimmigration.gov.np) and complete the Online Arrival Form up to 15 days before your flight. You will receive a confirmation barcode. Print this or save it on your phone — it dramatically speeds up the process at the airport.
Step 2: Arrive at Immigration Hall After disembarking, follow signs to the visa-on-arrival counters. If you completed the online form, use the dedicated "Online Form" kiosks to scan your barcode and print your receipt. If you did not complete the form online, use the electronic kiosks in the hall to fill it in (expect 10-15 minutes extra).
Step 3: Join the Visa Payment Queue Proceed to the payment counters. Have your passport, printed form/receipt, and payment ready. Accepted payment methods include US dollars (cash), euros, pounds sterling, and major credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Other currencies are accepted but change is given in Nepali rupees.
Step 4: Receive Your Visa Sticker The officer will paste the visa sticker in your passport and stamp your entry date. The entire process typically takes 20-45 minutes depending on flight arrivals. During peak season (October-November), queues can stretch to 90 minutes.
What Are the Visa Fees and Duration Options?
Nepal offers three standard tourist visa durations:
| Duration | Fee (USD) | Multiple Entry |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | $30 | Yes |
| 30 days | $50 | Yes |
| 90 days | $125 | Yes |
Important fee notes:
- All tourist visas are multiple-entry by default, meaning you can leave and re-enter Nepal within your visa validity without paying again.
- Children under 10 years receive a free visa (but still need to go through the process).
- Payment in non-USD currencies is accepted at the prevailing exchange rate, but USD cash gets the cleanest transaction.
- Credit card payments may incur a small surcharge (approximately 3-4%).
Overstay penalties: If you overstay your visa, you will pay USD 5 per day for the first 30 days of overstay, and USD 8 per day thereafter. Repeated overstays can result in future entry bans.
Can You Extend Your Visa Inside Nepal?
Yes, tourist visa extensions are handled at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) or the Immigration Office in Pokhara. The maximum tourist visa duration is 150 days per calendar year (January to December).
Extension process:
- Visit the immigration office with your passport, one passport-size photo, and a completed extension form.
- Pay the extension fee: USD 3 per day for extensions beyond your initial visa.
- Processing typically takes 1-2 hours if you arrive early (office opens at 10:00 AM, submit before 1:00 PM).
Key restriction: You cannot stay in Nepal on a tourist visa for more than 150 days in a single calendar year. If you arrived in October, your maximum stay extends to the end of that calendar year plus a fresh 150 days from January.
What About Visa for Overland Travellers from India?
The India-Nepal open border policy makes overland travel remarkably easy. The main crossing points are:
- Sunauli/Bhairahawa — Most popular for travellers heading to Lumbini or Pokhara from Varanasi/Gorakhpur.
- Raxaul/Birgunj — Closest crossing to Patna, used for reaching Kathmandu via Narayanghat.
- Kakarbhitta — Eastern border crossing from Siliguri/Darjeeling, gateway to Ilam tea country.
- Nepalgunj — Western crossing, gateway to Bardia National Park.
- Mahendranagar — Far-western crossing from Uttarakhand.
For Indian nationals: Simply walk across with valid ID. No paperwork, no stamp, no fee.
For other nationalities crossing overland from India: Visa-on-arrival is available at all major border crossings. The process is the same as at the airport, but queues are typically much shorter. Carry US dollars in cash, as card machines are unreliable at land borders.
Do You Need a Visa for Trekking Permits?
Your tourist visa grants you access to most of Nepal, but certain trekking regions require additional permits:
- TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System): Required for most popular treks (Annapurna, Langtang, Everest). Costs NPR 2,000 for individuals, NPR 1,000 through an agency.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000 for foreigners, NPR 200 for SAARC nationals.
- Sagarmatha National Park Entry: NPR 3,000 for the Everest region.
- Restricted Area Permits: Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Manaslu, and several other areas require special permits (USD 500-700 for 10 days) and must be arranged through a registered trekking agency.
Your tourist visa must remain valid for the duration of your trek. If your visa expires while you are on a multi-week trek, you will face overstay penalties upon return to Kathmandu.
What Documents Should You Carry?
For the smoothest entry into Nepal, prepare these documents before your trip:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date.
- Passport-size photos — carry at least 4 (for visa, trekking permits, SIM card purchase).
- Online Arrival Form confirmation (barcode printout or screenshot).
- Hotel booking confirmation — immigration may ask where you are staying. Having a booking on BookGarum with a confirmation number makes this effortless.
- Return/onward ticket — not always checked but occasionally requested.
- Travel insurance document — strongly recommended, especially if trekking.
- USD cash — for visa fee payment and as backup currency.
What Are Common Visa Mistakes Travellers Make?
Avoid these frequent errors that cause delays and stress at Nepali immigration:
Mistake 1: Not filling the online form in advance. The kiosks at the airport work, but they are slow and queues build up. Complete the form at home.
Mistake 2: Carrying only large USD bills. The visa counter does give change, but having exact amounts (a $50 bill for a 30-day visa) speeds things up.
Mistake 3: Assuming credit cards always work. Card machines at immigration occasionally go offline. Always carry USD cash as backup.
Mistake 4: Forgetting passport photos. You need them for the visa form (if not submitted online), trekking permits, and SIM card registration. Passport photo booths exist at the airport but cost NPR 500 for 4 photos.
Mistake 5: Not checking visa validity before trekking. If your 30-day visa expires on day 25 and your trek finishes on day 35, you will owe overstay fees. Extend before departing for the mountains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival if I have an Israeli passport? Yes, Israeli citizens are eligible for visa-on-arrival in Nepal. There are no restrictions based on Israeli stamps in your passport either.
Is the Nepal visa a sticker or a stamp? It is a full-page sticker placed in your passport, plus an entry stamp. Make sure you have at least one blank page available.
Can I work or volunteer on a tourist visa? No. Working, including unpaid volunteering, technically requires a different visa category. However, enforcement for short-term volunteers is minimal. Long-term volunteers should apply for a non-tourist visa through a registered organisation.
What if I lose my passport in Nepal? Contact your embassy in Kathmandu immediately. You will need a police report from the Tourist Police office in Thamel, then your embassy will issue an emergency travel document. The Department of Immigration can issue an exit visa on the emergency document.
Can I enter Nepal multiple times on the same visa? Yes, all Nepal tourist visas are multiple-entry. You can cross to India or Tibet and return without purchasing a new visa, provided it has not expired.
Do I need a visa if I am just transiting through Kathmandu airport? If you are not leaving the international transit area and your layover is under 24 hours, no visa is required. For layovers over 24 hours or if you wish to leave the airport, you need a visa.
Plan Your Nepal Trip with BookGarum
Now that your visa is sorted, the next step is finding the right accommodation. Search verified hotels on BookGarum to find properties across Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, and beyond — all with genuine guest reviews, transparent pricing in your preferred currency, and instant booking confirmation. Whether you are planning a cultural city break or a Himalayan trekking adventure, BookGarum connects you with trusted hotels that make your Nepal journey seamless from arrival to departure.