Nepal Tourist Visa

A Nepal Tourist visa is required for nearly all international visitors traveling to Nepal in 2025. Passport holders (except Indians, who have visa-free entry) can obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa either on arrival or via the official eVisa/ETA system (Nepal Online Tourist Visa Form). Tourist visas allow 15-, 30-, or 90-day stays (multi-entry) up to a cumulative 150 days per calendar year. Below is detailed information on Nepal Tourist visa types, costs, requirements, extensions, and tips for travelers from different regions (US, UK, India, SAARC, etc.)

Nepal Tourist Visa Basics Information

All foreign visitors to Nepal must have a valid tourist visa unless exempt. Indians enjoy visa-free entry under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty; an Indian passport or voter ID with a photo suffices.

Citizens of other SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival (once per calendar year). Nationals of most other countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or land borders, or apply Nepal tourist visa online for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa) up to 15 days before arrival. Applicants should ensure their passport has at least 6 months’ validity and at least one blank visa page.

Online visas (ETAs) and on-arrival visas both require a visa stamp at entry. The online system (via the Nepali Department of Immigration eVisa portal) allows you to fill out the visa application in advance, generating a receipt or barcode to present on arrival. In practice, both options ultimately require paying visa fees in U.S. dollars or NRS (only cash accepted) and waiting in the immigration queue.

Visa validity: Tourist visas are issued for 15, 30 or 90 days. You may extend your visa up to a total of 150 days per year. Overstaying beyond your visa without extension is a serious offense (fines and detention apply). Once granted, all tourist visas are multiple-entry, so you can exit and re-enter Nepal on the same visa up to its expiry.

Nepal Tourist Visa on Arrival vs Online

Nepal offers two main ways to get a tourist visa: on arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan Airport or major land crossings, or an Online (eVisa/ETA) application before travel.

• Visa on Arrival: Fill out an arrival card and visa application form at the airport or border. Pay the Nepal Tourist Visa fee (USD/ NRS) at the window, have your photo taken (if required), and await the visa stamp. This is the traditional method and works for most nationalities. Wait times can be longer during peak season.
• Nepal Tourist Visa Online (eVisa): Apply up to 15 days before arrival using the Nepal Department of Immigration website (the nepaliport.immigration.gov.np ETA portal). Print or save the confirmation receipt. 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.)

nepal tourist visa online

In either case, all applicants must meet Nepal Tourist Visa requirements (passport photo, passport valid 6+ months, etc.). 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 Fees and Cost

Nepal Rourist Visa costs are fixed by the Department of immigration. As of 2025, the fees are payable in USD or NRS cash. 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 cash. Airports and land checkpoints generally prefer U.S. dollars or Nepali rupees (old bills not accepted). ATMs and currency exchange are available at Kathmandu airport if needed. Credit cards may be accepted at some counters, but always carry enough USD (or other major currency like EUR/GBP) for your visa fee and extra incidentals.

For example, a 30-day stay (the common choice for honeymooners like Destination Wedding Package or trekking trips like Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp Trek, or Annapurna Circuit Trek) costs about $50. If you later decide to stay longer, the visa extension fees are additional (see below).

Tip: Pay the exact Nepal tourist visa cost in clean USD bills. Having small denominations helps avoid waiting for change.

Nepal Tourist Visa Fees

Nepal Tourist Visa Extension

If you wish to stay longer than your visa’s initial duration, you must extend before expiry. Tourist visas can be extended up to a total of 150 days per calendar year. Extensions are handled by the Nepal Immigration offices: Kathmandu (Dept of Immigration headquarters) processes all visa types, while Pokhara, Kakarvitta, Birgunj, and Belahiya immigration offices can do Nepal tourist visa extensions. (Smaller offices cannot extend visas.)

How to Extend?

Go to one of the authorized immigration offices with your current passport and visa. You will need to submit a visa extension application, photos, and a letter. Pay the extension fee in cash at the office. Processing can take a day or more, so apply at least 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, extending a 30-day visa to 60 days costs $45 + (15×$3) = $90. Extensions beyond 150 days per year are not allowed; overstaying that limit risks 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. (In fact, Nepal now offers an online visa extension service via the Nepaliport site, which lets you submit documents and payment online for approval. This e-service still requires a visit to the Immigration office to finalize, but it can streamline the process.)

How to get a Nepal Tourist Visa Country-Specific?

United States

Visa: U.S. citizens require a tourist visa for Nepal and can obtain it on arrival or apply online. U.S. passports must be valid for≥6 months with blank pages for a visa stamp. Upon entry, U.S. travelers may choose to get a visa at the airport or via the ETA portal beforehand.

Land Entry: Nepal’s travel state page notes that U.S. tourists crossing by land must pay visa fees in U.S. cash at border checkpoints. Only new US bills (post-2003, crisp condition) are accepted. Bring plenty of USD for fees if entering by land.

Visa Duration: Up to 90-day visas are available on arrival. U.S. travelers can stay up to 150 days per year, but must extend or depart before that limit. The recommended entry point is Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), where immigration and exchange services are readily available.

United Kingdom

Visa: British passport holders need a visa (tourist visa up to 90 days). Per the UK government travel advice, you “must have a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days.” The UK FCDO explicitly notes that visitors can apply online for an eVisa up to 15 days before arrival, then use the submission receipt to collect the visa on arrival. Alternatively, you can fill out visa forms/terminals upon arrival as usual and pay at the counter.

Application: UK travelers are advised to carry both cash and a card. The UK guide states you “can pay by card, but should have cash as a back-up, with US dollars being the preferred currency”. In practice, at Kathmandu airport, cards (Visa/MasterCard) are often accepted for the visa fee, but having USD on hand ensures no delays.

Extension: British visitors may extend online via the Nepaliport site up to 150 days total. The advice warns that overstaying is a serious crime with fines or jail, so plan extensions early.

India

Visa: Indian nationals enjoy visa-free entry to Nepal under the 1950 treaty. No Nepalese visa is required at all. An Indian passport or even a government-issued photo ID (such as a voter ID) is sufficient for crossing from India. Indians may enter and stay indefinitely (there is effectively no limit). Therefore, Indians need not deal with the Nepal tourist visa process.

However, if an Indian prefers to carry a formal visa, they can still get a visa on arrival like any other foreigner, but it’s unnecessary. (Instead, Indian visitors usually just enjoy unrestricted travel. Same for persons of Nepali origin holding Indian citizenship.)

Nepal Tourist Visa Entry.

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

Visa: Citizens of these South Asian countries (except Afghanistan) receive a gratis (free) 30-day tourist visa on arrival. This is limited to one issuance per calendar year. Beyond 30 days, normal visa extension fees apply. Nationals of these countries 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.

Notable: Refugees or holders of certain travel documents from the region may need to apply for ETA in advance; check with a Nepalese embassy if in doubt. (Nepal’s Embassy in London lists specific nationalities that cannot get a visa on arrival, e.g., nationals of Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, etc, but most tourists will not be affected.)

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.