A Guide to Obtaining Visa in Nepal

If you are thinking about travelling abroad, probably the first thing that hits your mind would be visa requirements and safety apart from the beautiful landscapes you are going to explore. So, here’s everything you need to know about obtaining visa in Nepal before planning your trip here.

As entering Nepal without visa is considered illegal, you can either get your visa on arrival on airport or entry points or you can get it from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed in your country. You need to visit Nepal before six months from the date of visa issued if you are receiving visa from your country.

Once the visa is issued, you can’t undergo any minor changes and the fee you paid won’t get refunded under any circumstances. So be careful while filling the form. Please carry your passport and trekking permit with you always as it is must while travelling/ trekking and you might encounter unnecessary legal hassles if you don’t.

What Documents You Need to Submit for Obtaining Visa in Nepal?

If you are taking visa on arrival at the airport or entry points, you need to submit following documents:

1. Fill the application form available at airport or immigration entry points
2. A valid passport with validity of at least six months
3. Applicable visa fee (To be paid in cash)
4. Two passport size photos (You are advised to take extra passport size photos as you may be asked later in filling some forms)

What are the Entry Points to Nepal?

If you are taking international flight, then Tribhuwan International Airport is the only entry point. However, if you are entering Nepal through India or China, you can enter Nepal through following points:

• Eastern Nepal: Kakarvitta and Jhapa
• Central Nepal: Birgunj and Parsa
• Northern Nepal: Kodari and Sindhupalchowk (Nepal-China Border)
• Western Nepal: Rupandehi (Belhiya and Bhairahawa)
• Mid-western Nepal: Banke (Jamuna and Nepalgunj)
• Far-western Nepal: Kailalai (Mohana and Dhangadhi) and Kanchanpur (Gaddachauki and Mahendranagar)

Note that you can’t receive visa from the immigration entry point and mandatorily enter Nepal via Tribhuwan International Airport if you are from following countries:

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Afghanistan
• Zimbabwe
• Somalia
• Cameroon
• Swaziland
• Iraq
• Ethiopia
• Liberia
• Palestine

How Much Does it Take to Obtain Visa in Nepal?

Your visa fee depends on how long you are staying here and which country you are from:

• If you are from India, you need not obtain visa to visit Nepal, no matter how long you want to stay here. However, Indian nationals travelling through air above the age of 10 are required to show valid identification certificate (passport, citizenship or any other government-approved certificate).
• If you are from other SAARC countries, you will get free visa for up to 30 days. After that, you will be charged applicable visa fees same as nationals of other countries.
• USD 25 or equivalent convertible currency for 15 days
• USD 40 or equivalent convertible currency for 30 days
• USD 100 or equivalent convertible currency for 90 days

How to Extend Visa in Nepal?

Of course, you would like to spend few more days in the luring atmosphere of Himalayas. You will be charged USD 45 or equivalent convertible currency if you are extending visa for less than 15 days. After 15 days, you will be charged USD 3 or equivalent convertible currency per day. However, you can extend your visa only for the maximum period of 150 days.

You need to apply online with your passport, one passport size photo and application form beforehand. If you are short of passport size photo, you can get 8 for just NRs. 200 (average) on every street of Kathmandu along with other cities. For further information on visa extension, you can visit the official website of Department of Immigration (www.nepalimmigration.gov.np) under VISA section.

Is There Any Provision Of Transit Visa in Nepal?

Of course, there is. If you have to land in Nepal airport or your flight is delayed for any reason, you need to obtain transit visa paying USD 5 or equivalent convertible currency. The transit visa will be valid only for 3 days.

Can We Switch Tourist Visa to Another Visa?

Several types of visas are provided in Nepal:

• Tourist visa
• Diplomatic visa
• Business visa
• Non-tourist visa
• Official visa
• Study visa
• Resident visa
• Non-residential visa
• Transit visa

You can easily switch your tourist visa to other visas fulfilling the relevant visa requirements. As it may take time, we suggest you to initiate process before 3 months of the due date of your tourist visa.