Nepal Tourist Visa

A Nepal Tourist visa is mandatory for all international travelers traveling to Nepal in 2025. Except for Indian travellers (who have free entry), others must obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa either on arrival or via the official eVisa/ETA system (Nepal Online Tourist Visa Form).The

The Nepal Government allows tourists visas for 15, 30, or 90-day stays (multi-entry) up to a cumulative 150 days per calendar year. In this blog, we have explained the information regarding Nepal Tourist visa types, costs, requirements, extensions, and tips for travelers from different countries (the US, the UK, India, SAARC, etc).

How to apply for Nepal Tourist Visa?

All foreign travellers visiting Nepal must have a valid tourist visa unless exempt. Under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty, Indian visitors are allowed to enter Nepal visa-free. However, they have to show an Indian passport or voter ID with a photo.

Similarly, nations from the SAARC countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival once a year.

Other nationals can also easily obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or apply for a Nepal tourist visa online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa) before arrival. To get a visa, you must have a 6-month valid passport and a passport-size photo.

The best solution is to apply for the visas (ETAs) online and obtain them from Kiosks after your arrival. This way, you can save your time waiting in line and avoid crowding. You can apply for an online visa via the Nepali Department of Immigration eVisa portal.

The system requires you to fill out the visa application in advance, and then it automatically generates a receipt or barcode, which you must present on arrival to get visa stamps.

Nepal Tourist Visa fees must be paid after your arrival, and they accept all the major currencies. You can also pay via QR code.

Visa validity: Nepal tourist visas are issued for 15, 30 or 90 days. Travellers can visa up to a total of 150 days per year. Fines or detention may applied in case of overstaying beyond your visa without extension. The visa has multiple-entry which means visitors can exit and re-enter Nepal on the same visa up to its expiry.

Nepal Tourist Visa on Arrival vs Online

There are two ways of obtaining a Nepal Tourist Visa: on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport or an Online (eVisa/ETA) application before travel.

• Visa on Arrival: After your arrival, you must stay in line. When your turn comes, you have to fill out the arrival card and online Nepal Tourist Visa form using the Kiosk machines at the airport. Payment must be made at the bank and await the visa stamp. This is the traditional process. However, expect it to be longa nd crowded during peak trekking season.
• Nepal Tourist Visa Online (eVisa): To apply for a visa online, we suggest you apply 15 days before your arrival in Nepal. You can apply through the Nepal Department of Immigration website (the nepaliport.immigration.gov.np ETA portal). After filling the online form, you will receive a barcode receipt, print or save it, and bring it with you. On arrival, go to the visa counter, present your ETA receipt and passport, pay the fee, and get the visa. This can save time in the queue, but you still pay the same fees in person. (Note: even with ETA approval, visas are only issued upon arrival in Nepal.) 

Whether you apply for a visa online or after your arrival, all applicants must meet Nepal Tourist Visa requirements, which are a passport photo and a passport valid for 6+ months.

The visa type is the same, an “On-Arrival Tourist Visa,” regardless of application method. The Department of Immigration e-service portal also provides an online “Nepal Visa Online Check” and “Application Tracking” service (via Nepaliport) to verify visa status.

For official details or to start an eVisa application, visit the Department of immigration nepal tourist visa website or the Nepaliport eVisa portal.

Nepal Tourist Visa Cost and Fees

Nepal tourist visa costs are fixed by the Department of immigration. As of 2025, for visa fees, major currencies like US dollars or Pounds are accepted. You can also pay online. We still advise you to bring cash to avoid any issues. The visa fees are listed below:

1. 15-day visa: US$30
2. 30-day visa: US$50
3. 90-day visa: US$125

Pay at the visa counter in USD or other major currencies. All types of payment methods are accepted, but we still suggest you have cash too.

You can choose the visa stay days depending on your trip. For example, a 30-day stay is suitable for a honeymoon tour like the Destination Wedding Package or trekking trips like the Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, or Annapurna Circuit Trek. For a 30-day stay, the fee costs only $5o USD.

Likewise, if you want to extend your stay in Nepal, then you have to pay visa extension fees (see below).

Tip: Bring a cash while paying visa fees to stay on safe side.

Nepal Tourist Visa Extension

Travellers who want to stay longer or extend their stay in Nepal have to pay an additional amount and extend the visa before it expires. If you have a tourist visa, it can be extended up to a total of 150 days per calendar year. For the extension process, you have to visit the Nepal Immigration offices. Kathmandu (Dept of Immigration headquarters) processes all types of visas. Meanwhile, Pokhara, Kakarvitta, Birgunj, and Belahiya immigration offices only extend tourist visas.

How to apply for Nepal Tourist Visa Extension?

To extend the visa, you have to visit the authorized immigration office near you. You must carry your current passport and visa. During the process, you have to submit a visa extension application, photos, and a letter. You can pay the extension fee in all major currencies and in different modes. It is still best to carry cash. Since it takes more than one working day, we suggest you apply for extensions a few days before your visa expires.

Extension Fees:

• First 15-day extension: USD 45 (minimum)
• After the initial 15 days: USD 3 per additional day
• Late fee: USD 5 per day if you extend after your visa expiry (up to 150-day limit).

For example, if you are extending a visa for 30 days to 60 days, it will cost you $45 + (15×$3) = $90. However, if you want to extend the stay more than 150 days per year, it’s not allowed. If you did or overstayed, there may be risks of deportation.

For the latest rules and visa application or Nepal Tourist Visa extension online, check the Nepal Department of Immigration website or the Nepaliport portal. For approval, you can now simply apply for it on the online visa extension service via the Nepaliport site, where you can submit documents and pay online. Still, for finalization, you must visit the Immigration office to finalize, but it can streamline the process.)

How to get a Nepal Tourist Visa Country-Specific?

United States

Visa: Nationalities from the US must have a tourist visa to travel in Nepal. They can get a visa on arrival or apply online. Applicants must have at least 6 months of a valid passport with blank pages for a visa stamp. If you have applied online, you can just go to the visa counter for a visa stamp on your arrival. Otherwise, if you are getting on arrival, you have to queue up, fill the arrival card, and apply online via the Kiosk machines at the airport.

Land Entry: U.S. tourists can pay visa fees in U.S. cash or online at border checkpoints. Bring plenty of USD for fees if entering by land.

Visa Duration: They are granted up to 90-day visas on arrival. They are allowed to stay up to 150 days per year; if they exceed that limit, then they must extend or depart before that limit. Plenty of immigration and exchange services are available at the Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) entry point.

United Kingdom

Visa: British nationals also require a tourist visa to enter Nepal. Tourist visas are available from 15 days to 90 days. They have options to get a visa by applying online or on arrival. Even if it’s evisa, it still requires you to visit and collect a visa stamp on arrival. Though it will be time-saving. An alternative to evisa is getting on arrival by filling out forms and applying through the kiosk machines.

Application: Pounds are accepted both in cash and by card. It is best to carry cash as a backup. Most of the time, they accept Visa or MasterCard for the visa fee.

Extension: Extension can be made online or by going to the immigration office. Up to 150 days total in a year is accepted. In case of overstaying, fines may be applied. We recommend that you plan extensions early, before your visa expires.

India

Visa: All citizens of Indian can enter Nepal without a visa. They can travel freely without a Nepalese visa. Though at the border checkpoint or in the Airport, a government officer will ask for your Indian passport or government-issued photo ID (such as a voter ID). Similarly, they can also stay in Nepal indefinitely. Therefore, Indians do have to deal with the Nepal tourist visa process.

Other SAARC Countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka)

Visa: Travellers from SAARC countries get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival. This is limited to one issuance per calendar year. If the stay is beyond or exceeds 30 days, visa extension fees are applied. Though free, they still need to complete the visa-on-arrival process (i.e., fill forms at the airport), but they pay $0 for the first 30 days.

Countries that require to Acquire Visa Prior are: 

All the listed nationalities must get a visa before their arrival in Nepal. They can obtain Nepal tourist visa from Nepal Government embassies near to them.

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

Travel Tips and Common Mistakes

By following these steps and tips, your Nepal visa process should be smooth. Nepalese immigration officers are generally helpful; just be polite and patient.

1. Prepare Documents: Have your passport, Nepal Tourist visa application form (online or blank form), and any photos ready. While many offices can take your photo, it’s smart to carry 1-2 passport-size pictures in case (some land checkpoints might ask). Ensure your passport has ≥6 months’ validity beyond your entry date.
2. Online Form Receipt: If you apply online (ETA), print the confirmation or submission barcode. The visa counter will ask for it. Remember, the online form is only valid for 15 days. Do not submit it earlier than 15 days before your trip, or else it expires and you’ll need to reapply.
3. Exact Visa Fee: Before arrival, find out the visa fee you need (15/30/90 days). Bring the exact US dollar amount. If paying in another currency, check the counter’s exchange rate. Having exact change speeds up the process.
4. Cash/Currency: Bring USD in good condition (no tears, not too old), especially if crossing a land border. Kathmandu airport and big cities have ATMs and money changers, but outlying borders may only accept certain currencies.
5. Expect Lines: Busy seasons (fall trekking, spring) can mean long visa queues at Kathmandu airport. Consider applying online in advance to save time. Alternatively, if arriving via a less busy land border, the wait may be shorter.
6. Stay Within Visa: Calculate your intended stay in days carefully. For example, if you stay 31 days with a 30-day visa, you’ll owe late fees. It’s often safest to estimate generously or apply for the next higher visa duration to avoid overstaying. (The online form will ask how long you plan to stay; fill that in accurately.)
7. Visas for Transit: Nepal does not have a visa-free transit. Even if just transiting or staying at a hotel for a night, travelers from visa-required countries need a Nepal tourist visa.
8. Check Requirements: Because rules can change, always verify the latest visa requirements on the Nepal Immigration website or your nearest embassy before travel.
9. What to Avoid: Don’t forget your passport and photos; several travelers simply lose those documents. Fill online forms carefully; errors or missing fields can invalidate your application. Remember the 15-day validity of the online application.

Nepal Tourist Visa FAQs

Q: What are the Nepal tourist visa requirements?

A: You need a valid passport (≥6 months), a completed Nepal Tourist visa application form (on paper or online), and the visa fee. Optional but helpful: passport-size photos and proof of accommodation. Most travelers complete the visa card/online form and pay fees upon arrival. Indians do not need a visa.

Q: How to apply for a Nepal tourist visa?

A: You can apply on arrival by filling out forms at the airport/border and paying the fee, or online via the Nepal Department of Immigration’s eVisa/ETA portal (up to 15 days before entry). Both methods lead to the same visa issuance upon landing in Nepal.

Q: How much is the tourist visa for Nepal?

A: Visa fees (paid in USD) are roughly: US$30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, $125 for 90 days. (SAARC nationals get the first 30 days free.) Bring exact cash to avoid delays.

Q: Can I extend my Nepal tourist visa online?

A: Yes. Nepal offers online visa extension services through the Nepaliport portal. You can apply for extensions (up to 150 days/year) before your visa expires. However, you must still visit the Immigration office in Kathmandu or Pokhara to finalize the extension after approval.

Q: Are there countries whose citizens cannot get a visa on arrival?

A: Most nationalities can get on-arrival visas. Exceptions (for visa-on-arrival) include some African and Middle Eastern countries (e.g., Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, etc.) as listed by Nepal’s embassies. These travelers must apply at a Nepalese embassy in advance. All other tourists may use the on-arrival or eVisa process.

Q: I’m from India, do I need a visa?

A: No. Indian citizens have visa-free entry to Nepal under an agreement. Indians can enter with a passport or even a voter ID card. Visa rules do not apply to Indian nationals.

Q: What if I lose my passport or overstay my visa?

A: If you lose your passport, you should contact your embassy immediately to get a new document and then transfer your Nepal visa to the new passport via the Immigration Office. For overstays, you must pay fines ($5 per day late) before departing. Long overstays (over 150 days/year) can lead to detention and deportation. Always extend your visa before it expires.

Q: How can I check my Nepal visa status online?

A: After applying (online or at an embassy), you can check application status on the Nepali Immigration portal (“Visa Application Track” or “Visa Check”). This requires the submission number and personal details. Links are available on the Nepaliport website.

Q: What should I have ready at Kathmandu airport?

A: Passport, the completed Nepal tourist visa application form (or printed eVisa receipt), visa fee in cash, and (if required) passport photos. Be prepared to answer basic questions about your stay (where you will stay, how long, and the purpose). Using the eVisa receipt can speed up processing.

Q: Can I pay visa fees by card?

A: At Kathmandu airport, some counters accept credit cards for the Nepal tourist visa fee, but the machines can fail. It’s safer to have cash (preferably USD) ready as backup.