For most travelers, getting into Nepal is refreshingly simple: no embassy visit, no advance approval, no waiting weeks for a decision. You can land at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, fill out a short form, pay a fee, and walk out with a stamped visa in under an hour. This guide covers exactly what you need, what it costs, and how to make the process as fast as possible.
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Who Needs a Visa to Enter Nepal?
Most foreign nationals need a visa to enter Nepal, and the good news is that the vast majority are eligible for a Tourist Visa on Arrival, including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, all EU countries, and most of Asia, South America, and Africa.
A few exceptions to know:
- Indian citizens do not need a visa at all. A valid passport or Voter ID (Election Card) is sufficient for entry; Aadhaar cards are generally not accepted for air travel.
- SAARC nationals (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) receive a free 30-day visa on their first entry of the calendar year.
- Chinese nationals are exempt from the tourist visa fee.
- Children under 10 (all nationalities) receive a free visa, though a visa sticker is still issued.
Citizens of the following countries cannot get a visa on arrival and must apply in advance through a Nepalese embassy or diplomatic mission: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Eswatini (Swaziland), Syria, and Zimbabwe, along with holders of refugee travel documents.
Nepal Visa on Arrival Fees (2026)
Nepal's tourist visa is priced by duration, and the same fee structure applies whether you get your visa on arrival, through the e-visa system, or via a Nepalese embassy:
| Duration | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 15 days | $30 |
| 30 days | $50 |
| 90 days | $125 |
A few important notes on payment:
- Fees are paid in cash, ideally clean USD notes, at the bank counter inside the airport before you reach the immigration desks. Euro, GBP, and other major convertible currencies are usually accepted too, but USD is the safest bet.
- Indian Rupees are not accepted for visa fee payment.
- Card payment machines exist at some counters but are known to be unreliable due to connectivity issues, so don't rely on them.
- The visa is multiple-entry, meaning you can leave and re-enter Nepal within its validity period without paying again.
Which Duration Should You Choose?
If you're only in the country for a short cultural trip, 15 days may be enough. But for trekkers, 30 days is the safer default. A 15-day visa leaves almost no buffer for flight delays (especially the well-known Lukla flight disruptions), extra acclimatization days, or simply deciding to stay a little longer. Plenty of trekkers have had to cut an Everest Base Camp trip short over saving $20 on a shorter visa; it's rarely worth the risk.
Documents You'll Need
- A valid passport with at least 6 months' validity remaining from your entry date, and at least one blank visa page
- One recent passport-sized photo (35mm x 45mm, plain white or light background), required at some counters if you haven't completed the online form in advance
- Cash for the visa fee, in USD or another major convertible currency
- A completed visa application form, either the paper arrival card or, ideally, the online form completed in advance
- Proof of onward travel and accommodation may occasionally be requested, though this isn't consistently enforced
Step-by-Step: Getting Your Visa on Arrival at Kathmandu Airport
- Fill out the online visa form before you fly. Visit Nepal's official immigration portal (the "Nepal Online Visa" system) up to 14 days before departure, enter your details, and upload a digital photo. You'll receive a submission receipt with a barcode, print it or save it on your phone.
- Land and head to the visa kiosks. If you completed the online form, you can often skip the paper form station and go straight to printing your receipt at the kiosk.
- Pay at the bank counter. Present your passport and barcode receipt, pay your visa fee in cash, and collect your payment receipt.
- Proceed to the immigration desk. Submit your passport, application, and payment receipt. An officer will review your documents and stamp the visa directly into your passport.
- Collect your baggage and exit. That's it, you're officially in Nepal.
Completing the online form in advance is genuinely worth doing. It won't eliminate the queue entirely, but it lets you skip the paper form station, which is often the slowest part of the process during peak season.
How Long Does It Take?
At Kathmandu airport, the process typically takes 20 to 60 minutes, depending on how many flights have landed around the same time. During peak trekking seasons (March to May and September to November), expect the higher end of that range, especially if several international flights arrive close together.
Visa on Arrival at Land Borders
If you're entering Nepal overland rather than flying into Kathmandu, visas on arrival are also available at major land border crossings, including Raxaul-Birgunj and Sunauli-Bhairahawa on the Indian border. The requirements and fees are identical to the airport process, though queues can sometimes be longer and facilities more basic.
Nepal E-Visa: An Alternative to Visa on Arrival
If you'd rather have everything sorted before you fly, Nepal also offers an e-visa, applied for through the Department of Immigration website. Approval typically takes a few business days, and once confirmed, it's linked digitally to your passport, no additional payment required at the airport. The cost is identical to the on-arrival fee. This route is worth considering if you want one less thing to think about after a long flight, particularly during the busiest travel months.
Extending Your Nepal Visa
Planning to stay longer than your initial visa allows? Nepal permits tourist visa extensions up to a maximum of 150 days per calendar year. Extensions are handled through the Department of Immigration's online portal, followed by an in-person visit to an immigration office in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Current extension fees:
- $45 for a minimum 15-day extension
- $3 per additional day beyond the initial 15-day extension block
Overstaying: What Happens If You Don't Extend in Time
Overstaying a Nepali visa is treated seriously. Penalties typically run around $5 per day in fines on top of any unpaid visa fees, and in more serious cases, overstaying can lead to detention, deportation, or future entry bans. If your trip is running long, extend your visa before it expires rather than after, it's a far simpler process than resolving an overstay at the airport on your way out.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Arrival
- Carry clean, undamaged USD notes. Torn or heavily worn bills are sometimes rejected at the payment counter.
- Complete the online visa form before you fly, especially if you're arriving during peak trekking season.
- Choose 30 days over 15 if you're trekking. The cost difference is small compared to the flexibility it buys you.
- Keep your passport, visa receipt, and a photocopy of your passport's photo page somewhere accessible throughout your trip; you'll need your passport again for trekking permits like the TIMS card and national park entry fees.
- Double check your passport's expiry date well before you travel. Six months of validity from your entry date is a strict requirement, not a guideline.
A Simple Visa Process, So You Can Focus on the Adventure
Nepal's visa on arrival system is genuinely one of the more traveler-friendly entry processes in Asia, and for most nationalities, it adds barely any friction to your trip. Once you're through immigration, the real planning question becomes what to do with your time in Nepal, and for most visitors, that means the Himalayas.
If you're arriving in Nepal to trek, browse our Everest Base Camp Trek itinerary for a complete breakdown of costs, permits, and season-by-season planning, or get in touch with our team for help planning your full trip from visa to summit.
