Nepal Visa Guide 2026:
Tourist Visa, Cost, Online Apply & Extensions

Nepal Visa Overview

Nepal is one of Asia's most accessible travel destinations from a visa perspective. Citizens of most countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, or apply in advance through the online e-visa portal at nepaliport.gov.np. Nepal issues three standard tourist visa durations, with fees payable in major foreign currencies. The visa allows multiple entries within the calendar year and can be extended within Nepal at the Department of Immigration.

Countries With Free Nepal Visa

A small number of countries have special arrangements with Nepal that allow their nationals to enter visa-free or under simplified procedures. Indian nationals have always enjoyed an open border with Nepal under the 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship and do not require any visa or passport, a government-issued photo ID is sufficient.

SAARC member country nationals (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan) typically receive facilitated processing, though most still pay standard visa fees. Children under 10 from any country are generally exempted from visa fees. Always verify the latest status with the Nepal Embassy in your country before travel, as policies can change.

Visa on Arrival Process at Nepal Airport

The visa-on-arrival process at Tribhuvan International Airport is well-established and straightforward for most travelers. Allow 30–60 minutes for the process during peak hours. Kathmandu airport is the only international airport in Nepal handling international flights, though Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa (Lumbini) and Pokhara International Airport also handle some international routes and offer visa-on-arrival services.

1. Fill the Arrival Form: Collect a Tourist Visa Application Form from counters near immigration or fill it digitally at the kiosks provided. You need your passport number, home country address, Nepal accommodation details, purpose of visit, and passport-size photo. Many travelers now complete this online before arrival using the e-visa system to bypass this step entirely.
2. Pay the Visa Fee: Proceed to the visa fee payment counter. Pay in USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, CHF, JPY, CNY, or SGD, but not Nepali rupees at this stage. Payment is accepted in cash only at some counters; credit/debit card payment is increasingly available but not universally reliable. Obtain your official fee receipt.
3. Biometric Capture: At the immigration officer's counter, submit your application form and passport. Your fingerprints (all ten fingers) and a digital photograph are captured. You do not need to provide a printed photo if completing biometrics, the camera is built into the counter. The officer will check your entry record and previous visa history.
4. Collect Your Visa Stamp: The immigration officer stamps your passport with the visa. The visa sticker/stamp specifies the validity period and allowed entry type (single or multiple). Double-check the validity dates printed on your stamp before leaving the counter, errors are possible and easier to correct immediately. You may then proceed to baggage claim and customs.

Online Nepal Visa Application (e-Visa)

The e-visa system at nepaliport.gov.np allows travelers to apply for and receive Nepal tourist visa approval before arriving in the country. This is strongly recommended during peak season (October–November, March–April) when on-arrival queues at TIA can be very long. The e-visa approval is emailed as a PDF that you print and present at the immigration counter.

1. Visit nepaliport.gov.np: Go to the official Nepal e-visa portal and select "Apply for Tourist Visa." Create an account using your email address. The portal is the official government system, do not use third-party websites that charge additional fees.
2. Fill Personal Details: Enter your passport information exactly as it appears, name, passport number, date of birth, nationality, and expiry date. Upload a recent digital passport photo (JPEG, white background, under 500KB). Select your desired visa duration (15, 30, or 90 days).
3. Pay Online: Visa fees are payable via Visa/Mastercard credit or debit card. Payment confirmation generates an application reference number. Processing typically takes 1–3 business days.
4. Download Approval Letter: Once approved, download and print the e-visa approval letter. Present it alongside your passport at the immigration counter in Kathmandu. Immigration officers will verify and stamp your passport accordingly.

Nepal Tourist Visa Fees 2026

Nepal's visa fees are denominated in US dollars and are fixed regardless of the payment currency used. The exchange rate applied at the airport is typically close to the official rate. Children under 10 years of age from all countries are exempt from visa fees. Children between 10 and 15 pay half the adult fee.

Visa Extension in Nepal

Restricted Areas in Nepal: Special Permits Required

Work Permit and Long-Stay Options

A standard tourist visa does not permit any form of employment or income-generating activity in Nepal. Foreigners wishing to work, volunteer for extended periods, study, or undertake research in Nepal must obtain the appropriate permit or visa from the Department of Immigration and the relevant ministry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trekking Permits and TIMS: Nepal 2026

Beyond the standard tourist visa, anyone planning to trek in Nepal's national parks and conservation areas must obtain the appropriate trekking permits. These permits fund trail maintenance, conservation programs, and rescue services. As of 2024, the TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card has been replaced by a simplified permit structure in most national park areas, though some routes still require it. Always confirm current requirements before departure.

Nepal Land Border Crossings for Tourists

Nepal has several official entry points for foreign travelers arriving overland from India or China. Each crossing offers visa-on-arrival services identical to Kathmandu airport, though facilities vary significantly. India-side crossings are the most accessible for tourists entering from major Indian cities. China-side crossings (Tatopani and Rasuwagadhi) are subject to frequent closures and Chinese travel permit requirements.

Nepal Visa Extension: Step-by-Step Process

If you want to stay in Nepal beyond your initial visa duration, you must extend your visa before it expires. The Department of Immigration (DoI) in Maitighar, Kathmandu, is the primary office for extensions. Regional extension offices operate in Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Bhairahawa.

1. Visit DoI Maitighar before expiry: The Department of Immigration is open Sunday to Friday, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (4:30 PM in winter). Go at least 2–3 days before your current visa expires to avoid any last-minute complications. Do not overstay even by one day, the fine structure applies immediately.
2. Fill the extension form: Collect a Visa Extension Form at the DoI counter. Fill in your personal details, current visa details (date of issue, duration), intended extension duration, and Nepal accommodation details. You will also fill a Tourist Standard Form with your Nepal itinerary.
3. Prepare documents: Bring your original passport with the Nepal visa stamp, your hotel/guesthouse registration slip or a letter from your accommodation as proof of address in Nepal, one recent passport photo, and if extending for a trek, your trekking permit as supporting documentation.
4. Pay the extension fee: Extension costs USD 3 per day for extensions up to 30 additional days, and USD 5 per day for each day beyond 30 days of extension. Total stay cannot exceed 150 days per calendar year. Fee is payable in USD or NPR equivalent at the counter. A receipt is issued.
5. Collect your extended visa stamp: Processing is typically same-day or next working day during off-peak seasons. During October–November peak season, allow 1–2 working days. Your passport is stamped with the new expiry date of your extended visa.

Nepal Adventure Visa and Expedition Permits

Nepal is one of the world's premier mountaineering destinations, with eight of the fourteen 8,000-metre peaks located within its borders. Foreign climbers planning to summit these peaks require a separate Expedition/Mountaineering Permit issued by the Department of Tourism (DoT), Nepal, in addition to the standard tourist visa. Permit fees vary significantly by peak and season.

Travel Insurance for Nepal: What You Need

Travel insurance is not a legal requirement to obtain a Nepal tourist visa, but it is an absolute practical necessity for any trip involving trekking, adventure activities, or remote areas. Nepal's mountain rescue operations rely on helicopter evacuation for medical emergencies, and the cost of a single rescue flight can reach USD 3,000–8,000. Without insurance, this cost falls entirely on the traveler or their family.

• Coverage for trekking above 5,000m is a specific requirement, many basic travel insurance policies cap at 3,000–4,000m altitude; confirm your policy covers the altitude of your planned trek
• Emergency helicopter evacuation coverage is essential, verify the covered amount (USD 100,000 is a common minimum)
• Medical repatriation to your home country should also be included for serious injuries or illness
• Adventure activities (mountaineering, whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, paragliding) may require separate add-on riders, read the fine print
• Recommended insurers with Nepal trekking coverage: World Nomads, SafetyWing, Allianz, IMG, and AXA (confirm Nepal coverage in policy documents)
• Your Nepal trekking guide or agency will ask for insurance details before starting high-altitude treks, have a printed copy or screenshot of your policy

Embassies and Consulates for Nepal Visa Outside Nepal

While most travelers obtain the Nepal tourist visa on arrival, travelers who prefer to apply in advance through a Nepal Embassy or Consulate in their home country can do so. This is also the route for non-tourist visa categories (work permit, student visa, NGO visa). Processing time at embassies abroad typically takes 3–7 working days.

Nepal Volunteer Visa and NGO Work

Nepal attracts thousands of volunteers and NGO workers annually, drawn by its development needs in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and disaster resilience. If you plan to volunteer in Nepal for more than a few weeks, or if you are working with a registered international organization, you will likely need a non-tourist visa rather than relying on tourist visa extensions.

Digital Nomads in Nepal: Visa Considerations for Remote Workers

Nepal has emerged as a surprisingly popular destination for digital nomads, location-independent remote workers who travel while working online. Kathmandu and Pokhara both have a growing network of coworking spaces, reliable internet infrastructure in urban areas, and a low cost of living relative to Southeast Asian nomad hubs. However, Nepal does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2026.

Digital nomads working remotely for companies or clients outside Nepal can legally stay in Nepal on a tourist visa for up to 90 days and extend for up to 150 days per calendar year without violating the terms of the tourist visa, since they are not working for a Nepal employer or receiving Nepal-sourced income. This is the common interpretation and practice. However, it is technically a grey area and travelers should be aware that Nepal's tourist visa formally prohibits any form of work or employment. Working for a foreign employer while in Nepal on a tourist visa is generally tolerated but is not explicitly authorized in the visa terms.

Several coworking spaces have emerged in Thamel, Patan, and Pokhara catering specifically to the digital nomad community, offering monthly memberships with high-speed fiber internet, standing desks, meeting rooms, and community events. Monthly coworking membership costs range from Rs. 8,000–18,000 (approximately USD 60–135).

Nepal Visa for Indian Nationals: Open Border Explained

The 1950 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between India and Nepal established an open border policy that remains unique in the world. Indian nationals can enter Nepal at any point along the approximately 1,770 km open border between the two countries without a visa, passport, or any immigration formality. A government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card, voter ID, driving license) is sufficient for Indian nationals to enter Nepal.

This open border arrangement reflects the deep cultural, economic, and familial ties between the two countries. Millions of Indians visit Nepal annually for religious pilgrimage (Pashupatinath, Muktinath, Janakpur), trade, and tourism. Conversely, millions of Nepalis live and work in India under the same open border agreement, Nepali workers are found across Indian industries from security services to construction, and Nepali students attend Indian universities in large numbers.

The open border also applies to Nepali nationals entering India, no visa or passport required. However, for Nepali workers and students, carrying a valid Nepali passport greatly simplifies access to services, banking, mobile SIMs, and accommodation in India. The open border is an informal convenience, not a substitute for documentation where documentation is otherwise required for services.

Nepal Visa: Quick Reference Summary

For travelers who need the essential information at a glance, here is a comprehensive summary of Nepal's 2026 visa situation covering the most common scenarios.