Nepal Tourist Visa: On Arrival and Online Application
Get your Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or apply online beforehand. Covers visa fees by duration, required documents, trekking permits, and tips for a smooth entry into Nepal.
Nepal offers tourist visas in three durations: 15 days for 30 USD, 30 days for 50 USD, and 90 days for 125 USD. All are multiple-entry visas. The 30-day visa is the most popular choice for first-time visitors combining Kathmandu, Pokhara, and a short trek. The 90-day visa suits trekkers doing the Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp with buffer time.
Note that Indian nationals do not need a visa for Nepal
Indian citizens enter Nepal freely without a visa and can stay indefinitely. A valid passport or voter ID card is accepted at the border. Citizens of China receive a free visa on arrival for 30 days. All other nationalities pay the standard fees.
Get a free rescue visa if you are under 10 years old
Children under 10 accompanying a parent receive a free gratis visa matching their parent's visa duration. The parent must apply at the same counter. Children 10 and older pay the full adult fee. Bring a copy of the child's birth certificate to prove age if the child's passport does not clearly show the date of birth.
Visa on Arrival at Kathmandu Airport
Fill out the visa application at the electronic kiosks before immigration
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu has electronic kiosks where you fill out the visa application form and upload a photo using the kiosk camera. The kiosks print a receipt with a barcode. If the kiosks are not working (which happens during power outages), paper forms are available at the counter. The kiosk process takes 3-5 minutes.
Bring a passport photo or use the kiosk camera
The kiosks have built-in cameras that take your photo and attach it to the application automatically. If using a paper form, you need one passport-size photo (35x45 mm). Bring a photo from home to avoid delays. The photo requirements are lenient compared to other countries.
Pay the visa fee in USD, EUR, or GBP at the fee counter
Cash payment in major foreign currencies is accepted. Credit cards are accepted at the airport but the machine may not work reliably. Bring exact change in USD if possible. The fee counter is separate from the immigration counter. Pay first, get a receipt, then join the immigration line with your receipt and passport.
Expect 30-60 minutes for the entire visa and immigration process
Peak season from October to November sees the longest waits as multiple international flights arrive within the same 2-hour window. Arriving during off-peak hours (early morning or afternoon) reduces wait times. The process is: kiosk form, fee payment, then immigration counter. Having everything ready before joining each queue speeds things up.
Online Application Before Travel
Apply online at the Department of Immigration website
The official website is immigration.gov.np/tourist-visa. Complete the online form and upload your passport photo before traveling. The form generates a confirmation receipt with a barcode. Print this receipt and bring it to Kathmandu airport. Online applicants skip the kiosk step and go directly to the fee counter, saving 15-20 minutes.
Upload a digital passport photo meeting specifications
The photo must be JPEG format, 300x350 pixels minimum, under 5 MB. White background, neutral expression, no glasses. The system is less strict than other countries about exact specifications. A clear, well-lit smartphone photo against a white wall is usually accepted.
Print the confirmation receipt and bring it to the airport
The online application generates a receipt with a barcode that immigration officers scan at the airport. Without the printed receipt, you must redo the application at the airport kiosks. The online application is valid for 15 days from submission. Apply within 2 weeks of your travel date.
Trekking Permits
Get a TIMS card for all trekking routes
The Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card costs 2,000 NPR (approximately 15 USD) for independent trekkers and 1,000 NPR for those with a registered agency. Apply at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu (Pradarshani Marg) or Pokhara. Bring your passport, 2 passport photos, and your trek itinerary. Processing takes 15-30 minutes.
Buy national park or conservation area entry permits
Annapurna Conservation Area permit costs 3,000 NPR (23 USD). Sagarmatha National Park (Everest region) costs 3,000 NPR. Langtang National Park costs 3,000 NPR. These are in addition to the TIMS card. Purchase at the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or at entry checkpoints on the trail. Carry the permits in a waterproof bag.
Hire a licensed guide for restricted trekking areas
Upper Mustang, Dolpo, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, and Tsum Valley require a special restricted area permit costing 500-700 USD per person for 10 days. These treks require a licensed guide and a minimum group of 2 trekkers through a registered agency. Solo trekking in restricted areas is not permitted. Apply through a trekking agency at least 2 weeks before your trek.
Practical Tips
Exchange money at the airport or in Thamel for the best rates
The airport exchange counter offers competitive rates and is open for all international arrivals. In Kathmandu, money changers in Thamel offer slightly better rates. ATMs dispense a maximum of 35,000-50,000 NPR (260-370 USD) per transaction. As of 2026, 1 USD equals approximately 133-135 NPR. Carry cash for trekking as ATMs are unavailable on most trails.
Get a Nepali SIM card at the airport or in Thamel
Ncell and NTC sell tourist SIM cards at the airport arrival hall. A SIM card with 10-20 GB of data costs 500-1,500 NPR (4-11 USD) for 28-30 days. Registration requires your passport and a passport photo. Data coverage works in cities and along main trekking routes up to about 3,500 meters. Above that altitude, coverage is patchy or nonexistent.
Extend your visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu
Tourist visa extensions cost 3 USD per day. Visit the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu with your passport, one photo, and the extension fee. The maximum total stay on tourist visas is 150 days per calendar year. Processing takes 1-2 business days. Apply before your current visa expires to avoid a 5 USD per day late fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Almost all nationalities can get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at major land border crossings. The process involves filling out a form at electronic kiosks, paying the fee in foreign currency, and passing through immigration. The entire process takes 30-60 minutes depending on queue length.
How much does a Nepal tourist visa cost?
Nepal offers three options: 15 days for 30 USD, 30 days for 50 USD, and 90 days for 125 USD. All are multiple-entry visas. Children under 10 receive free visas. Indian and Chinese nationals have special arrangements. Extensions within Nepal cost 3 USD per day up to a maximum of 150 days per calendar year.
Do I need a trekking permit in Nepal?
All trekkers need a TIMS card (2,000 NPR for independent trekkers, 1,000 NPR with an agency). Additionally, each conservation area or national park charges a separate entry fee of 3,000 NPR. Restricted areas like Upper Mustang and Manaslu require a special permit costing 500-700 USD and a mandatory licensed guide. Purchase permits in Kathmandu or Pokhara before starting your trek.
What is the best time to visit Nepal?
October-November is the peak trekking and travel season with clear skies, mild temperatures, and the best mountain views. March-May is the second-best season with warmer temperatures and rhododendron blooms. December-February is cold but clear with fewer crowds. June-September is monsoon season with heavy rain, leeches on trails, and obscured mountain views.