Getting a Nepal Visa on Arrival is one of the easiest visa processes in Asia — most nationalities can arrive at Kathmandu airport, fill in a form, pay the fee, and walk out within an hour. But there are some important rules to know, and the process changed in 2024. Here is the complete 2025 guide.
Nepal Visa on Arrival — Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can get Visa on Arrival | Citizens of most countries (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, etc.) |
| Who cannot | Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria |
| Cost (15 days) | $30 |
| Cost (30 days) | $50 |
| Cost (90 days) | $125 |
| Where to get | Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), or land borders |
| Payment methods | Cash (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.), credit card |
| Processing time | 30–60 minutes at airport |
| Passport requirements | 6 months validity, 1 blank page |
| Pre-arrival online application | Available and recommended (saves time) |
Nepal Visa Costs
| Duration | Cost (USD) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | $30 | Short trips, Poon Hill trek, Kathmandu + Chitwan |
| 30 days | $50 | Most Nepal trips, single trek (EBC, Annapurna Circuit) |
| 90 days | $125 | Multiple treks, longer stays |
Visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Extension cost: $3 per day (minimum $20). Plus a $5 processing fee. Bring passport photos.
How to Get Visa on Arrival at Kathmandu Airport
Step 1: Pre-Arrival Online Application (Recommended)
Submit the online visa application at online.nepalimmigration.gov.np within 15 days of your arrival. This saves time at the airport. Print the confirmation receipt.
Step 2: At the Airport
- Disembark the plane and walk to the arrival hall
- Go to the Visa on Arrival kiosks (left side of the immigration hall)
- Use the kiosk to enter your details (passport, flight, visa duration). The kiosk prints an application form.
- Alternatively, fill in a paper application form (available at the airport).
- Go to the payment counter — pay $30/$50/$125 in cash or by credit card
- Take your receipt and join the immigration queue
- Hand the immigration officer: passport, visa application form, payment receipt, passport photo
- Officer stamps visa into passport and returns passport
- Collect luggage and exit through customs
What to Bring for Visa on Arrival
- Passport with 6+ months validity and 1+ blank page
- Visa fee in USD cash ($30/$50/$125) — credit card accepted but unreliable
- 1 passport photo (the airport can take one for $2 if you forget)
- Printed online visa application receipt (if you pre-applied)
- Return flight ticket (sometimes requested)
- Hotel booking confirmation (sometimes requested)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (only if arriving from endemic country)
Visa on Arrival at Land Borders
Visa on Arrival is also available at major Nepal land borders:
- Sunauli (India border) — the most popular, for travellers from Varanasi or Lucknow
- Kakarbhitta (India border) — for travellers from Darjeeling or Sikkim
- Birganj (India border) — for travellers from Patna or Kolkata
- Biratnagar (India border) — for travellers from eastern India
- Kodari (China/Tibet border) — for travellers from Tibet
- Rasuwagadhi (China border) — for travellers from Tibet (Kyirong)
Visa Extensions
If you want to stay longer than your visa allows, you can extend at the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu. Process:
- Bring passport, 1 passport photo, and extension fee ($3/day, minimum $20, plus $5 processing)
- Fill in the extension form at the office
- Submit form and fee
- Wait 1–2 hours for processing
- Receive visa extension stamp in passport
You can extend a tourist visa up to 150 days per calendar year. See the Nepal Department of Immigration website for current rules.
Special Visa Categories
- SAARC countries — Free visa for citizens of SAARC countries (except Afghanistan). Indian citizens do not need a visa.
- Chinese citizens — Free visa on arrival.
- Official/diplomatic visas — Free for diplomatic passport holders.
- Business visa — For foreign investors. Requires approval from the Department of Industry.
- Student visa — For foreigners studying at Nepali institutions.
- Marriage visa — For foreigners married to Nepali citizens.
- Working visa — For foreigners employed in Nepal. Requires work permit.
Visa Rules You Should Know
- Maximum stay: 150 days per calendar year on tourist visa
- Multiple entries: Tourist visas are multiple entry — you can leave Nepal and return on the same visa (within validity)
- Restricted area permits: Required for Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Upper Mustang, Upper Dolpo, Nar Phu, Tsum. See our Nepal trekking permits guide.
- Trekking permit: TIMS card required for most treks. See our TIMS Card guide.
- Mountaineering permit: Required for any peak above 5,800 m. Apply through the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
- Volunteering: Tourist visa does NOT allow volunteering. You need a working visa.
Common Visa Problems and Solutions
Problem 1: Insufficient cash
Bring USD cash — the airport ATM may be down, and the credit card machine may not work. Always bring $30 in cash as a backup.
Problem 2: Passport less than 6 months valid
Nepal will refuse entry. Renew your passport before travel.
Problem 3: No blank pages in passport
Nepal needs at least 1 blank page for the visa stamp. If your passport is full, renew before travel.
Problem 4: Visa expires during trek
If your visa expires during a trek, extend it BEFORE the trek at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. You cannot extend on the trail, and overstaying incurs a fine of $3/day plus $5 processing.
Problem 5: Lost passport with visa
Contact your embassy for an emergency passport, then go to the Department of Immigration for a visa transfer to the new passport. Bring police report and embassy letter.
Sample 14-Day Nepal Trip Visa Calculation
For a 14-day Nepal trekking trip:
- 15-day visa: $30 (cheapest, but no buffer)
- 30-day visa: $50 (recommended — gives 16 days buffer for delays)
- Plus TIMS card ($10) and trekking permits ($30) — see our Nepal permits guide.
Honest recommendation: Get the 30-day visa ($50) for any Nepal trek. The extra $20 buys peace of mind — Lukla flight delays, monsoon landslides, and trek extensions are all common, and overstaying your visa is a hassle you do not want.
Visa for Indian Citizens
Indian citizens do NOT need a visa to enter Nepal. They can enter with:
- Indian passport
- Indian voter ID card
- Indian driving license (with photo)
Note: Indian citizens cannot enter Nepal with an Aadhaar card alone — it must be paired with another document. Indian citizens can stay in Nepal indefinitely but cannot work without a work permit. See Nepal Department of Immigration for current rules.
Visa Photo Requirements
- Standard passport photo (45mm x 35mm)
- White background
- Taken within last 6 months
- Full face, no glasses, no hat
- Available at Kathmandu airport for $2 if you forget
Tribhuvan International Airport — Arrival Process
- Disembark plane (often via stairs and bus to terminal)
- Walk to arrival hall
- Stop at Visa on Arrival kiosks (left side) if you need a visa
- Pay visa fee at payment counter
- Join immigration queue
- Get passport stamped
- Collect luggage from baggage claim
- Walk through customs (green channel if nothing to declare)
- Exit terminal — pre-arranged hotel pickup usually waiting outside
Airport to Thamel Transport
- Pre-paid taxi from airport: $5–$8 (recommended)
- Regular taxi from airport: $4–$6 (negotiate)
- Hotel pickup: usually free if pre-arranged
- Local bus: not recommended from airport (no direct route to Thamel)
- Walking: not recommended (1 hour, hot, no sidewalks)
The Nepal Visa on Arrival is one of the easiest in Asia. Pre-apply online, bring $30–$50 in USD cash and a passport photo, and you will be through the airport in under an hour. For more on planning your Nepal trip, see our Nepal travel budget guide and our 10-day Nepal itinerary.
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