For Visitors to Nepal — the complete, up-to-date guide
Planning a trip to Nepal? Great — it’s one of the friendliest places for travellers. This guide collects everything you need to enter Nepal in 2025 (documents, fees, entry points, special cases, extensions, customs, overstay rules and practical tips) so you don’t have to hunt through multiple pages. I’ve used the official Department of Immigration pages and other up-to-date resources — links are cited at the end of each section.
Quick summary:
- Most nationalities can get a Tourist Visa on Arrival (15 / 30 / 90 days). Fees: USD 30 (15-day), USD 50 (30-day), USD 125 (90-day).
- Pre-apply online (recommended) up to 15 days before arrival to speed up the process.
- Indian nationals: do not require a visa; special free movement arrangements apply (ID required).
- SAARC nationals (except Afghanistan): may be eligible for a gratis (free) 30-day tourist visa once per visa year.
- Maximum tourist stay: cumulative 150 days per calendar year (extensions possible).
Who needs a visa?
- All foreign nationals except Indian citizens need a visa to enter Nepal. Indian citizens travel under the Indo-Nepal Treaty with simpler ID requirements (passport, voter ID, etc.). Always carry a valid ID.
- Nationals of a few countries must obtain a visa from a Nepalese embassy/consulate before travel (check the Department of Immigration list if your passport is from Africa, some Middle Eastern countries, etc.). The Immigration site notes specific nationalities that require pre-arrival visas.
Visa types & official fees
Tourist (Visa on Arrival / e-visa registration) — official options and fees at entry points:
- 15 days (multiple entry) — USD 30.
- 30 days (multiple entry) — USD 50.
- 90 days (multiple entry) — USD 125. These are the standard on-arrival fees; some categories (SAARC citizens, children, NRNs, Chinese nationals etc.) can be exempt or have special rules.
Notes about currency & payment: The visa fee is set in USD. The Immigration FAQ suggests that US dollars (cash) are the most reliable; multiple major currencies are often accepted, and card payments may be possible at times, but card machines are not guaranteed — bring cash USD to avoid delays. If you pre-apply online, you will receive payment instructions (often via a nominated bank) and a barcode receipt to present on arrival.
How to pre-apply (recommended)
- Apply online via Nepal’s official visa application/registration portal (you can register for “visa on arrival” and get a barcode/receipt). You can apply up to 15 days before arrival. Print the receipt (or keep a clear screenshot).
- On arrival, proceed to the visa counter with your passport, printed online receipt (or fill kiosk/arrival form), passport photo (if kiosk not working), and payment. Using the online pre-registration prunes long queues.
What documents to carry
- Passport with ≥ 6 months validity from date of arrival and at least one blank visa page.
- Printed online visa receipt/barcode, or be prepared to use the arrival kiosks.
- One passport photo (kiosk usually takes a digital photo, but bring a spare 4×6 cm photo in case).
- Address in Nepal (first night’s hotel or host address).
- Cash (USD preferred) for the visa fee — smaller bills in decent condition.
Where can you get a visa on arrival?
Visa on Arrival is available at major international airports and many official land border crossings. Common points:
- Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) — main entry.
- Major land crossings with India and China (examples: Birgunj, Kakarvitta, Bheemdatta, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, Kodari) — but not every tiny border is staffed for VOA, so check crossing points in advance.
Special cases & exemptions
- Indian nationals: no visa required; they may use an Indian passport or other accepted ID (voter card, etc.) per the Indo-Nepal Treaty. Airlines and border officials may ask for ID.
- SAARC nationals (except Afghanistan): may be eligible for a gratis 30-day tourist visa once per visa year (check immigration notices for details).
- Children & some categories: some children or special nationality groups may receive gratis visas; check the Department of Immigration for up-to-date lists.
- Diplomatic/official passports: separate exemptions exist — check the “Visa Exemption” page on the Immigration site.
Extensions, multiple-entry and changing visa type
- Extending tourist visa: You can extend in Nepal at Department of Immigration offices (Kathmandu head office + some regional offices such as Pokhara, Birgunj, Kakarvitta). Total stay on tourist visa cannot exceed 150 days in a single calendar year. Extensions often require a minimum 15-day extension payment and specific forms.
- Extension costs / late fines: official material shows a visa extension normally involves a minimum USD 45 (for 15 days) and then USD 3 per additional day (check the current notice). If you apply after expiry you may be charged a late fine (e.g., USD 5/day is commonly quoted for late penalty) — the Immigration pages list late fees and penalties; always extend before expiry.
- Multiple-entry facility: you may get a multiple-entry visa or convert a single-entry to multiple-entry at the Central Immigration Office for an additional fee (official service pages show an additional USD ~20–25 for multi-re-entry facility). Confirm the exact amount before you travel.
Overstay penalties — IMPORTANT
- Don’t overstay. Overstaying the visa is a legal offence and can lead to fines, detention, deportation or a re-entry ban. Immigration guidance and travel advisories warn travelers to extend before expiry. The official pages set out extension and late fee amounts; common published figures are USD 3 per day (extension) and USD 5 per day (late fine) — final amounts and procedures are decided by Immigration at time of extension/exit. If you overstay, you typically must pay fines at the Immigration office before departure.
Customs, restricted & duty-free allowances
- Cash & currency: There are limits on amount of foreign currency to declare. Large amounts may need declaration — check customs rules. The Department of Customs and Nepal Tourism Board list duty-free limits (e.g., 1 L spirits, cigarettes limits, small amounts of gold allowed; precise allowances change so check before travel).
- Prohibited items: narcotics, certain biological materials, endangered wildlife products are prohibited. Always declare goods if unsure.
Health / COVID rules & travel insurance
- As of 2025 Nepal had lifted most COVID-specific entry rules (no routine PCR or vaccination proof required), but rules can change — check official Immigration or embassy pages shortly before travel. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors (especially if trekking).
Practical tips & common pitfalls
- Pre-apply online within 15 days of travel to skip long lines. Bring a printed receipt or a screenshot with barcode.
- Bring cash (USD) — many travellers report cards/ATMs are unreliable at immigration counters. Have small, clean USD notes for the exact visa fee.
- Carry passport photos even though kiosks often take digital photos — avoid delays if kiosks are down.
- Allow time at the airport during peak tourist seasons (Oct–Nov and Mar–May). The process is straightforward but queues can be long.
- Want to go to Tibet/India/Bhutan and return? Make sure you have a multiple-entry visa or convert your visa to multiple entry at the Central Immigration Office before leaving Nepal.
- Be honest and keep documentation (hotel bookings, return tickets) handy if asked by immigration.
If something goes wrong
- Contact the Department of Immigration (airport counter / central office in Kathmandu) — they handle visas, extensions and fines. For consular help contact your country’s embassy/consulate in Kathmandu. The Immigration site provides email/contact points for visa queries.
Useful official links (start here)
- Department of Immigration — Visa on Arrival / Tourist Visa / Fees & Documents (official). (Immigration.gov.np)
- Online visa application / pre-registration portal (Nepaliport / Immigration online). (nepaliport.immigration.gov.np)
- Arrival / FAQ pages (payment, documents, Indian nationals info). (Immigration.gov.np)
- Customs & duty information (Nepal tourism / customs pages). (trade.ntb.gov.np)
Final checklist for your arrival day
- Passport (≥6 months validity) + 1 blank page. (Travel.state.gov)
- Printed online visa receipt (barcode) or be ready to use kiosk. (nepaliport.immigration.gov.np)
- USD cash for visa fee (exact amount or close) — $30/$50/$125 depending on chosen duration. (Immigration.gov.np)
- One passport photo (spare). (Trek me Nepal)
- Address of where you’ll stay (first hotel/host). (Trek me Nepal)
- Travel insurance details, return/onward ticket and funds proof (recommended). (Tibet Travel and Tours – Tibet Vista)
Primary sources used: Department of Immigration (Nepal) — Visa on Arrival / Tourist Visa / Visa Fees & Documents / Online application pages; Arrival FAQs; and official arrival info pages.
