How to come
to Nepal.
Practical entry information — tourist visas, fees, airports, and land border crossings. Nepal is one of the easiest countries in Asia to enter for most travelers.
Which group are you in?
Group A · No visa needed
SAARC nationals
- • India (no visa needed)
- • Bangladesh
- • Bhutan
- • Maldives
- • Pakistan
- • Sri Lanka
Just bring your passport. Indian nationals can also enter with an election ID card.
Group B · Visa on arrival
Most nationalities
USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, EU countries, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, and ~140 other nationalities.
Just arrive at Kathmandu airport (or any open border), fill the form, pay the fee in USD cash, get the visa.
Group C · Pre-approval required
Embassy visa first
- • Afghanistan
- • Cameroon
- • Ethiopia
- • Ghana
- • Iraq
- • Liberia
- • Nigeria
- • Palestine
- • Somalia
- • Swaziland (Eswatini)
- • Syria
- • Zimbabwe
Apply at the nearest Nepali embassy or consulate before travel.
Tourist visa fees
| Duration | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | USD 30 | Multi-entry tourist visa |
| 30 days | USD 50 | Multi-entry tourist visa |
| 90 days | USD 125 | Multi-entry tourist visa |
| Children under 10 | Free | When accompanied by visa-holding parent |
| Extension (each 15 days) | USD 45 | Apply at Department of Immigration |
Fees in USD cash preferred. EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, SGD, HKD, CHF, JPY, CNY also accepted at airport exchange counter.
Three ways to get your visa
On arrival — easiest
Most travelers do this. Land at Kathmandu airport, follow the "Visa on Arrival" signs.
- 1. Fill the arrival card on the plane
- 2. At the airport, use the kiosk to fill the visa application (or get a paper form)
- 3. Pay the fee at the bank counter (USD cash)
- 4. Take the receipt to the immigration counter
- 5. Visa sticker pasted in passport — done
Time: 20-40 minutes depending on queue. Bring 1 passport photo (or use airport photo booth).
Online pre-application
Skip the kiosk by pre-filling online up to 15 days before arrival.
Visit nepaliport.immigration.gov.np — fill the form, upload your photo, get a receipt. Show it at the airport along with payment to get your visa sticker faster.
Embassy/Consulate — for Group C
If you're from a country listed in Group C above, apply at the nearest Nepali diplomatic mission before traveling. Process takes 1-2 weeks. Required: passport (6+ months validity), application form, photos, fee, and sometimes return ticket and accommodation proof.
What to bring
- ✓Passport — valid for at least 6 months past your arrival date, with 2+ blank pages
- ✓Passport-sized photo — 1 photo for the visa (35×45mm recommended). Photo booths available at TIA if you forget.
- ✓Visa fee in USD cash — exact change preferred. Bank counter at airport accepts other major currencies but rate is not optimal.
- ✓Onward/return ticket — rarely checked, but airlines sometimes require it
- ✓Accommodation address — for the arrival card (any hotel name works)
By air — international airports
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
Kathmandu
Main international gateway. All visa-on-arrival processing.
Gautam Buddha International (BWA)
Bhairahawa
Limited flights from regional hubs. Visa-on-arrival available.
Pokhara International (PKR)
Pokhara
Newest international airport (2023). Limited flights currently.
By land — India border crossings
| Nepal Side | India Side | Region | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakarbhitta | Panitanki | East — Koshi Province | Bus from Siliguri/Darjeeling |
| Birgunj | Raxaul | Central — Madhesh Province | Train from Patna/Kolkata |
| Sunauli (Belahiya) | Sonauli | West — Lumbini Province | Bus from Gorakhpur |
| Nepalgunj (Jamunaha) | Rupaidiha | Mid-West — Lumbini Province | Bus from Lucknow |
| Mahendranagar | Banbasa | Far West — Sudurpashchim | Bus from Delhi |
| Dhangadhi | Gauriphanta | Far West — Sudurpashchim | Bus from Lucknow |
All India border crossings issue visa-on-arrival for Group B travelers. Open daily 6am – 10pm (varies). Indian/Nepali nationals cross freely.
By land — China border crossings
Rasuwagadhi (Kerung) ↔ Gyirong
North — Bagmati Province
Tatopani (Kodari) ↔ Khasa/Zhangmu
North — Bagmati Province
China-Nepal land crossings have restricted access. Most travelers from China enter Nepal by air via Kathmandu.
Beyond your visa — special permits
Your tourist visa lets you travel anywhere a Nepali could go — except a few zones. For trekking and some restricted regions, you also need:
- TIMS card — required for trekkers in most areas. NPR 2,000 individual / NPR 1,000 group, from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- ACAP — Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
- Sagarmatha NP Entry — Everest region. NPR 3,000.
- Restricted Area Permits — required for Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Manaslu, Tsum Valley, Kanchenjunga, Nar/Phu, Tibetan border zones. Must trek with a licensed guide and minimum 2 trekkers. USD 100-500 depending on region and duration.
Always verify current fees with Nepal Tourism Board (ntb.gov.np) before your trip.
Extending your stay
Tourist visas can be extended up to 150 days total per calendar year.
Apply at the Department of Immigration:
- • Kathmandu office: Kalikasthan, Anamnagar (near Putalisadak)
- • Pokhara office: Lakeside (much shorter queues than Kathmandu)
Extension fees: USD 45 for 15 days, USD 3 per additional day. Bring passport, photos, current visa.
Tip: extensions in Pokhara are typically faster (1 hour vs half-day in Kathmandu).
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