Nepal offers visa on arrival to citizens of most countries in the world, making it one of the easiest Himalayan nations to visit. Indian nationals need no visa at all — just a valid government ID. For everyone else, tourist visas are available at the airport or land border crossings for fees ranging from USD 30 to USD 125, depending on duration. This guide covers every nationality, every entry point, and every document you need for a smooth arrival in Nepal in 2026.
Who Can Enter Nepal Without a Visa?
Citizens of India can enter Nepal without any visa, passport, or advance paperwork. This is a longstanding bilateral arrangement under the 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship.
Indian nationals need only one of the following:
- Aadhaar Card
- Voter ID Card (EPIC)
- Indian Passport (valid or expired within 10 years)
- PAN Card (accepted but passport-size photo required separately)
Indian nationals receive no entry stamp — you simply walk through immigration. At land borders like Sonauli/Belahiya and Raxaul/Birgunj, immigration officers may briefly check your ID but there is no formal processing.
Chinese citizens (PRC) also receive visa on arrival at no charge, for stays up to 30 days. This is a reciprocal arrangement and requires a valid Chinese passport. Chinese nationals must still complete the arrival form and have their passport stamped.
Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan are not eligible for visa on arrival and must apply at a Nepali embassy or consulate before travel. Check with your nearest Nepali diplomatic mission for current restrictions.
How Does the Nepal Visa on Arrival Process Work?
The visa on arrival process takes 15 to 45 minutes at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and slightly less at land borders. Here is the step-by-step process:
Step 1 — Fill the online arrival form: Visit Nepal's online arrival card system and complete the form before your flight. Print or save the QR code. This saves 10-15 minutes at the airport.
Step 2 — Arrive at immigration: Follow signs to the "Visa on Arrival" counters. Do not queue at the "Visa Holders" line — that is for pre-approved visas.
Step 3 — Use the kiosk machines: Scan your passport, confirm your online form data (or fill a new form at the kiosk), and select your visa duration. The machine prints a receipt.
Step 4 — Pay the visa fee: Proceed to the payment counter. Cash (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CNY, JPY, CHF) or card payments are accepted. Indian Rupees are not accepted for visa fees.
Step 5 — Collect your visa sticker: Hand your receipt, passport, and one passport photo to the immigration officer. Your visa sticker is affixed and passport stamped.
Documents required:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity, at least 2 blank pages)
- One passport-size photograph (can also be captured at the kiosk)
- Visa fee in cash or card
- Completed online arrival form (or fill at the kiosk)
- Return or onward flight ticket (rarely checked but technically required)
How Much Does a Nepal Tourist Visa Cost?
Nepal offers three standard tourist visa durations:
| Duration | Fee (USD) | Multiple Entry |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | 30 | Yes |
| 30 days | 50 | Yes |
| 90 days | 125 | Yes |
All tourist visas are multiple entry by default, meaning you can leave Nepal and re-enter within the visa validity period without paying again. This is useful if you plan a day trip to the Indian border towns or want to visit Lumbini from the Indian side.
Children under 10 years receive a free visa (gratis) regardless of nationality. You still need to complete the arrival form and have their passport stamped.
SAARC nationals (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) receive a free visa for 30 days. Beyond 30 days, standard fees apply for extensions.
Payment tips:
- Bring exact change in USD if possible — change can be slow
- Visa counters now accept Visa and Mastercard, but machines occasionally go offline
- Carry a backup payment method
- The 15-day visa is sufficient for most first-time visitors doing the classic Kathmandu-Pokhara-Chitwan triangle
Can You Extend Your Nepal Tourist Visa?
Yes. Tourist visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) or the Immigration Office in Pokhara.
Extension fees: USD 3 per additional day, with a minimum extension of 15 days (USD 45). The maximum tourist visa duration is 150 days per calendar year (January to December).
Extension process:
- Visit the immigration office (arrive by 10:00 AM to avoid queues)
- Fill the extension form (available on-site or download online)
- Submit your passport, one photo, and the fee
- Wait 30-60 minutes for processing
- Collect your passport with the extended visa
Overstaying penalties: USD 5 per day for the first 30 days of overstay, plus USD 2 per day after that. Overstaying also causes delays at the airport on departure and may affect future visa applications. Do not overstay.
Digital nomads: Nepal does not have a specific digital nomad visa, but the 90-day tourist visa extended to 150 days is the most common option for remote workers. There is no legal prohibition on remote work for foreign employers while on a tourist visa.
What Are the Land Border Entry Points?
Nepal has 13 official land border crossings with India and 6 with China (Tibet). Not all are open to foreign nationals. Here are the main crossings for tourists:
India-Nepal Border Crossings
| Crossing | Indian Side | Nepal Side | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonauli/Belahiya | Gorakhpur (UP) | Bhairahawa | Most popular. Gateway to Lumbini. 8 hrs to Kathmandu. |
| Raxaul/Birgunj | Raxaul (Bihar) | Birgunj | Nearest to Patna. 6 hrs to Kathmandu. |
| Kakarbhitta/Panitanki | Siliguri (WB) | Kakarbhitta | Gateway to eastern Nepal and Ilam tea country. |
| Nepalgunj/Rupaidiha | Rupaidiha (UP) | Nepalgunj | Western Nepal. Gateway to Bardia National Park. |
| Mahendranagar/Banbasa | Banbasa (Uttarakhand) | Mahendranagar | Far-western Nepal. Least touristy. |
| Dhangadhi/Gauriphanta | Gauriphanta (UP) | Dhangadhi | Alternative western crossing. |
Visa on arrival is available at all major crossings listed above. However, queues and facilities vary enormously. Sonauli and Raxaul have dedicated visa counters. Smaller crossings may have limited staff — arrive during office hours (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM).
China-Nepal Border
The Rasuwagadhi/Kerung (Gyirong) crossing is currently the only border open to foreign tourists travelling overland from Tibet. You need a Chinese visa, a Tibet Travel Permit, and a Nepal visa (obtainable at the Nepal side). This crossing is seasonal — often closed during monsoon (June-September) and occasionally during winter snow.
What Special Permits Are Needed Beyond the Visa?
A tourist visa allows access to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini, and most of Nepal. However, certain restricted areas require additional permits:
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System):
- Required for most trekking routes (Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, etc.)
- Fee: NPR 2,000 for SAARC nationals, NPR 4,000 for others (as of 2026)
- Obtain from: Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara
Restricted Area Permits:
- Upper Mustang: USD 500 for 10 days (minimum 2 trekkers with a licensed guide)
- Dolpo: USD 500 for 10 days
- Manaslu Circuit: USD 100 per week (Sept-Nov), USD 75 (Dec-Aug)
- Kanchenjunga: USD 200 for 4 weeks
National Park Entry Fees:
- SAARC nationals: NPR 200-500 per park
- Other foreigners: NPR 1,000-3,000 per park
- Chitwan, Bardia, Sagarmatha (Everest), Langtang, and Annapurna Conservation Area all charge separately
Pro tip: If you are booking a trek through a licensed agency, they handle all permits for you. For independent trekkers, allocate half a day in Kathmandu to collect permits before heading to the trailhead.
What Are Common Visa Mistakes to Avoid?
These are the errors we see travellers make most frequently:
Arriving without USD cash: If the card machines are down (common during peak season), you need cash. ATMs inside the airport charge high fees. Bring USD 50-130 in cash as backup.
Forgetting a passport photo: Kiosk machines can capture your photo digitally, but the quality is poor. Bring two passport-size photos from home for a smoother process.
Not completing the online form: The paper form process at the airport is significantly slower. Complete the online arrival card at least 24 hours before arrival.
Choosing the wrong visa duration: The 15-day visa is sufficient for a short trip, but if there is any chance you will stay longer, pay the extra USD 20 for a 30-day visa. Extending a visa requires a half-day trip to the immigration office.
Indian tourists carrying only Rs. 2,000 notes: Nepal does not accept Indian Rs. 500 (new) and Rs. 2,000 notes. Carry smaller denominations.
Assuming e-visa exists: Nepal does not offer e-visas. The "online form" is only the arrival card — you still collect the visa sticker on arrival.
Travelling on a damaged passport: Immigration officers in Nepal are strict about damaged passports. If your passport has water damage, torn pages, or a damaged cover, you may be refused entry.
How Should You Prepare for Arrival in Nepal?
To ensure the smoothest possible entry, here is your pre-departure checklist:
48 hours before travel:
- Complete the online arrival card
- Prepare USD cash for visa fee (exact amount preferred)
- Print or save two passport photos on your phone
- Check passport validity (6+ months) and blank pages (2+)
- Download offline maps of Kathmandu (Google Maps or Maps.me)
- Book your first night's accommodation — immigration may ask for hotel details
On arrival:
- Head directly to visa kiosks (skip the "visa holders" queue)
- Pay visa fee and collect sticker
- Withdraw NPR from the airport ATM (Nabil Bank and NIC Asia have the lowest fees)
- Buy a SIM card at the airport NCell or NTC counter (NPR 500 for 10 GB)
- Pre-book airport transfer or use the official prepaid taxi counter
Once you have cleared immigration, the adventure begins. Nepal welcomes over a million tourists annually, and the visa process — while occasionally slow — is straightforward.
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