Nepal- Visa requirements

Nepal- Entry and visitor visa requirements

The Immigration Act defines foreigner to mean any person from foreign country other than citizens of Nepal. Hence, foreigners, if desirous to enter into Nepal require valid passport and visa, except for Indian citizens.  In addition, there are some prescribed area of Nepal that requires permission (in addition to a visa) for trekking.

1. Visa

The term visa is defined to mean a permit issued by the Government of Nepal to a foreigner for entering into and staying in Nepal. Indian citizens do not require visa to enter or live in Nepal.

A visa for Nepal can be obtained on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu and at the border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border and Kodari on the Nepal-China border.

Outside of Nepal, A visa can also be obtained at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.

To renew a Visa you can go to the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.

The Act therefore empowers the Immigration Officers or any employee designated by the Director General may, at any time and in any place, examine the documents related with the entry, stay and departure of a foreigner and may take the documents pertaining thereto into his own possession.

2. Visa on arrival- ineligible countries

Foreign Nationals (except officials and diplomatic passport holders) of following 12 countries are requested to obtain Tourist visa from Nepalese diplomatic mission (Embassies and Consulates) prior to their departure to Nepal.

1. Nigeria
2. Ghana
3. Zimbabwe
4. Swaziland
5. Cameroon
6. Somalia
7. Liberia
8. Ethiopia
9. Iraq
10. Palestine
11. Afghanistan
12. Syria
13. Refugees with travel document

3. Entry points

As per Immigration Act, non-Nepalese citizen may enter into Nepal from various points of entry. Among them the Tribhuvan International Airport is the main point of entry and the only international airport in Nepal. An updated list of immigration offices can be found here in immigration website.

4. Tourist visa is the only entry visa

Visa on arrival Visas are ‘Tourist Visas’.  They normally bear multiple Re entry facility. Tourist Visa ‘On Arrival’ is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for the purposes other than Tourism (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families), you should still get ‘ Tourist Visa’ to get into the country.  However, you must change the category of visa as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal from Department of Immigration by producing required documents. For e.g. if you need to work in Nepal, you first enter Nepal as tourist visa and convert visitor visa to work visa.

An application for visitor visa normally requires following:

• Visa application can be made online here or can be made in airport on arrival.
• You require- A valid passport and one passport -size photo with a light background.
• Visa can be obtained only through payment of cash in the following currency: Euro, Swiss Franc, Pound Sterling, US Dollar, Australian Dollar, Canadian Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar and Japanese Yen.
• Credit card, Indian currency and Nepali currency are not accepted as payment of visa fees.
• On arrival visa fees are:15 Days – 30 USD; 30 Days – 50 USD; 90 Days – 125 USD. Fees can change, so refer immigration website for up-to-date info.

For further information, please refer immigration website here.