Nepal Tourist Visa on Arrival: A Step-by-Step Guide

For the majority of travellers, getting into Nepal is simple. Tourist visas are issued on arrival at Kathmandu's international airport and at the main land crossings, with no need to visit an embassy first. The process has a few steps that are worth understanding before you land. The details below reflect arrangements reported in 2026; immigration rules can change, so check the Department of Immigration's website before you fly.

Who can get a visa on arrival

Citizens of most countries are eligible. A small number of nationalities must apply at a Nepali embassy or consulate in advance; if you are unsure, check with the nearest mission. Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal but must carry accepted proof of identity.

The fees

Tourist visas are sold for three durations, priced in US dollars:

• 15 days: US$30

• 30 days: US$50

• 90 days: US$125

These have been stable for some years. Children under ten are generally exempt from the fee, with exceptions for certain nationalities, though they still need a visa. Citizens of some neighbouring countries receive concessions.

Choose the duration that covers your whole stay with a margin. If a flight is delayed or you decide to stay on, a longer visa costs less than an extension.

What you need

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with a blank page.

• The visa fee.

• A completed application form, which can be done online in advance or at the airport.

• The address of your first night's accommodation.

The process at Kathmandu airport

Step one: the form. You can fill in the tourist visa form on the immigration department's online portal within fifteen days before arrival. Submitting it produces a receipt with a barcode, which you should print or save on your phone. If you have not done this, use one of the self-service kiosks in the arrivals hall, which scan your passport and take your details. Doing it online beforehand saves time.

Step two: payment. Take your receipt to the bank counter in the hall and pay the fee. Cash in US dollars is the safest option; other major currencies are accepted. Card machines exist but have a reputation for being out of order, so do not depend on them. Bring clean, undamaged notes and, ideally, the exact amount. Keep the payment slip.

Step three: immigration. Join the queue for the desk matching your visa length. Hand over your passport, form receipt and payment slip. The officer places a visa sticker in your passport and stamps it.

At busy times, particularly when several long-haul flights arrive together in October and November, the whole thing can take an hour or more. At quiet times it takes fifteen minutes.

Arriving by land

Visas are issued at the main border posts with India and at the crossing from Tibet. The same fees apply. Facilities are simpler, so carry cash in US dollars and a passport photograph or two, and complete the online form beforehand if possible. Immigration offices at land borders keep fixed hours.

Extending your visa

Tourist visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu and at the immigration office in Pokhara.

• Extensions are charged per day, with a minimum period.

• Apply before your current visa expires. Start the application online, then attend in person with your passport and the fee.

• It usually takes a few hours on a working day.

• Tourists may stay a maximum of 150 days in a calendar year.

Overstaying

Do not. Overstaying incurs a daily fine on top of the extension fee, and longer overstays can lead to detention and a ban on returning. If illness, a cancelled flight or a blocked road makes you late, go to an immigration office as soon as possible with evidence.

Common mistakes

1. Arriving without cash and finding the card terminal down.

2. Buying too short a visa to save money, then paying more to extend.

3. A passport with less than six months' validity. Airlines may refuse boarding.

4. Forgetting the visa starts on the day of entry, not the day of issue of any paperwork.

5. Confusing a visa with trekking permits. They are separate documents from separate offices.

6. Using unofficial websites that charge a service fee for the free online form. Use the government portal only.

The short version

Fill in the form online before you travel, carry the fee in US dollar notes, choose a visa that comfortably covers your trip, and be patient in the queue. For most people, entering Nepal is one of the easier parts of the journey.