Nepal Visa
Traveling to Nepal
Known for its mountainous landscape and delicious cuisine, Nepal is also home to a rich culture and history, beautiful architecture, and a hospitable local population. It is an attractive destination for travelers of all kinds from tourists and students, to businesspersons and investors.
All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, must hold a visa to enter Nepal. Many nationalities are eligible to obtain a visa on arrival at the eligible port of entry, the Tribhuvan International Airport. Only nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Palestine must obtain a visa prior to traveling to Nepal and are not eligible for a visa on arrival.
The validity of a Nepalese visa will depend on the visa type and the purpose of travel to Nepal. For example, the Transit visa is valid for 24 hours, while the Study visa is issued for a maximum validity period of one (1) year depending on the length of the applicant’s study course. Applicants can choose whether to obtain their visa on arrival or to apply prior to traveling to Nepal at the nearest Nepalese diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate).
Nepal Visa Types
From engaging in business to pursuing journalism, there are many visa types available to travelers who are interested in coming to Nepal.
The following visa types can be obtained to lawfully enter Nepal:
- Tourist visa
- This visa is issued to foreign nationals as an entry visa (On-Arrival visa) at the port of entry in Nepal. It may also be issued as an entry visa by a foreign mission (embassy or consulate).
- Diplomatic visa
- This visa is reserved for holders of diplomatic passports on official business or anyone determined eligible for diplomatic privileges by the Government of Nepal and their family members.
- Official visa
- This visa is issued to anyone on an official visit to Nepal and their dependents (spouse and children).
- Working visa
- This visa is for foreign nationals who intend to work in Nepal. Applicants for this visa must have a recommendation from a line agency (accredited by the Ministry of GoN), a Labour Permit from the Department of Labour, and a Work Agreement from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Press visa
- Journalists and other members of the press, and their dependents and representatives, are eligible for this four (4) month visa.
- Relation visa
- This visa is issued to foreign nationals who have a direct relationship with a Nepalese citizen.
- Marriage visa
- Foreign nationals married to Nepalese citizens are eligible for this visa.
- Study visa
- This visa is issued to students who intend to pursue an academic or non-academic degree or conduct research in Nepal.
- Business visa
- Foreign investors and businesspersons are eligible for this visa provided they plan to invest in a project or engage in business activities in Nepal.
- Non-Residential Nepali visa
- This visa is only issued to Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) cardholders.
- Residential visa
- This visa type is issued to foreign nationals and their family members who intend to reside permanently in Nepal. It is also issued to individuals with an international reputation; individuals who can make an extraordinary contribution to the growth of Nepalese culture, society, or economy; individuals who have invested at least 100,000 USD in an industrial enterprise in Nepal; OR any individuals who want to reside in Nepal without conducting any business activities.
- Transit visa
- This visa is reserved for foreign nationals who are passing through Nepal on their way to their next destination. It is valid for up to 24 hours.
Nepal Visa Requirements
ALL applicants for any Nepal visa type must obtain a Tourist visa either prior to or upon entry to Nepal. Tourist visa holders will then change the status of their visa to the appropriate visa type for their unique purposes by submitting the required documents to the Department of Immigration in Nepal.
The required documents will vary depending on whether the traveler obtains a visa on arrival at the port of entry or a visa prior to arriving. The following are the basic documents required in either case:
Visa on arrival
A complete Arrival Card
This card can be completed upon arrival in Nepal at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
A complete visa application form
Applicants can complete the “Tourist visa” form before arriving in Nepal through the official online portal or at one of the kiosks upon arrival. Applicants will receive a receipt of submission with a barcode. They must present this receipt to the border officer to enter Nepal.
A valid passport
Passports must be valid upon arrival in Nepal. Copies or handwritten passports will not be accepted.
Receipt of visa fees payment
The payment methods will vary depending on the visa type. Payment can be made at the visa collections counter upon arrival in Nepal.
Visa prior to arrival
A complete visa application form
Applicants can complete the application form online and receive a receipt of submission with a barcode.
A valid passport
Passports must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Nepal and have at least two blank pages for official use. Copies or handwritten passports will not be accepted.
Receipt of visa fees payment
The payment methods will vary depending on the embassy or consulate where the application is submitted.
Depending on the applicant’s nationality or the visa type they wish to obtain, other supporting documents will be required. These documents may include a confirmed hotel reservation and airline ticket, bank statements, a birth/citizenship certificate, or other relevant materials.
Nepal Visa Application Steps
The application process for a Nepal visa will vary depending on the applicant’s nationality, the visa type, and the method of submission. The following are the basic steps for travelers to apply for a visa on arrival or a visa prior to arrival:
Visa on arrival
- Complete the Arrival Card
All travelers arriving in Nepal must complete an Arrival Card.
- Complete the visa application form
Application forms can be completed through the official online portal or at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival. Either way, travelers must have a confirmation receipt with a valid barcode on it to present to the immigration officers at the Nepalese border.
- Pay the visa fee
Visa fees can be paid using one of the available payment methods at the visa fees collection counter at the Tribhuvan International Airport.
- Present documents for processing
Applicants can present their application form submission receipt, passport (or travel documents), and the receipt of payment for the visa fees to the immigration officer at the border for processing.
- Convert to another visa type (if applicable)
Any traveler who needs to obtain a different visa type besides the Tourist visa will proceed to the nearest Department of Immigration office in Nepal to submit the required documents.
Visa prior to arrival
- Complete the visa application form
Application forms can be completed through the official online portal. Applicants must print the completed form and their confirmation receipt with the valid barcode.
- Gather all required documents
Applicants must prepare all required documents as stipulated by the relevant Nepalese embassy or consulate where they plan to submit their visa application.
- Submit the visa application
Applications can be submitted in person (by the applicant or an authorized courier) or by mail to the relevant Nepalese diplomatic mission.
- Pay the visa fee
The payment method will vary depending on the embassy or consulate where the applicant submits their visa application.
- Await the visa decision
If approved, the applicant will retrieve their passport with the visa stuck inside by the relevant embassy or consulate. Alternatively, the passport may be mailed back to the applicant depending on the location where they submitted the visa application.
- Convert to another visa type (if applicable)
Any traveler who needs to obtain a different visa type besides the Tourist visa will proceed to the nearest Department of Immigration office in Nepal to submit the required documents.
Where to Apply for Nepal Visa
All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, must obtain a Nepal Tourist visa to enter the country. Most foreign nationals are eligible for a Tourist visa on arrival. They can complete the visa application and pay the visa fees at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon arriving at the port of entry. For those who wish to, they can submit the visa application through the online portal and print the confirmation receipt with the official barcode in advance.
Nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Palestine must apply for their Nepal Tourist visa prior to arriving in the country. They can do this by submitting the visa application and the required documents to the relevant Nepalese Diplomatic Mission.
For any travel purpose besides tourism, travelers must bring the required documents with them and convert their visas to the relevant visa type at the Department of Immigration in Nepal.
Nepal Visa Processing Time
The processing times for the Nepal visa will vary depending on the applicant’s nationality and the method of submission. For most nationalities, obtaining a Tourist visa online and bringing the confirmation receipt (with the official barcode) to the port of entry in Nepal is the fastest means of entering the country. However, some nationals must go through consular processing which takes longer. Additional processing time will apply to travelers who need to convert their visa type upon arriving in Nepal.
Nepal Visa FAQS
A Nepal visa is a travel document that allows foreign nationals to lawfully enter the country. For all foreign nationals, this starts as a Tourist visa. Those who wish to obtain a different visa type will then convert their Tourist visa to another type at the Department of Immigration in Nepal.
The cost of a Nepalese visa will vary depending on the visa type, the number of entries required, and the intended duration of stay in Nepal.
Most foreign nationals can complete the Tourist visa application and pay the visa fees at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon arriving at the port of entry. For those who wish to, they can submit the visa application through the online portal and print the confirmation receipt with the official barcode in advance.
Nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Palestine must apply for their Nepal Tourist visa prior to arriving in the country. They can do this by submitting the visa application and the required documents to the relevant Nepalese Diplomatic Mission.
For any travel purpose besides tourism, travelers must bring the required documents with them and convert their visas to the relevant visa type at the Department of Immigration in Nepal.
Yes, all travelers arriving in Nepal, except Indian citizens, must obtain a Tourist visa to enter the country. This can either be done prior to traveling to Nepal or, for most nationalities, can be obtained as a visa on arrival. Some nationalities are not eligible for a visa on arrival (see above).
