Nepal Tourist Visa (Department of Immigration)
April 14, 2026
Kathmandu, Nepal
Official Department of Immigration information plus an expandable traveler FAQ, including how to get a tourist visa when flying from the USA, UK, Australia, and other regions, informal ETA and airport tips, and links to official rules.
Immigration Offices, under Department of Immigration, have been facilitating tourists flying to Nepal by providing Visa on Arrival. “On Arrival” visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival. Choice is yours.
On Arrival Visa
On Arrival Visa may be obtained from the Department of Immigration (DOI) at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, and Entry Points of Nepal. Tourist Visa may also be obtained from Diplomatic Missions of Nepal in respective country or nearest one, prior to travel.
Acquiring On Arrival Visa is a simple and quick procedure. You can expect long lines during peak tourist season. For shorter immigration, you can also consider getting visa from the nearest Diplomatic Missions Office of Nepal stationed abroad prior to your arrival.
Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions
If you have obtained visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions, then you must enter Nepal within six months from the visa issued date. Your total stay is counted starting from the day you enter into Nepal.
Visas obtained on Arrival at the Entry and Exit points are ‘Tourist Visas’. They bear multiple Re entry facility. Tourist Visa ‘On Arrival’ is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for the purposes other than Tourism (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families), you should still get ‘Tourist Visa’ to get into the country. If you are visiting Nepal for the purposes other than tourism activities, you must still get Tourist Visa to get into the country. However, you must change the category of visa as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal from the Department of Immigration by producing required documents.
Nationals requested to acquire Visa prior to arrival
Nationals of following countries are requested to acquire Visa prior their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of Nepal Government. As per Nepal Government policy, nationals of following countries are requested to acquire visa prior to arrival from the nearest Diplomatic Missions of Nepal:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Zimbabwe
- Swaziland
- Cameroon
- Somalia
- Liberia
- Ethiopia
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Iran
- Refugees with travel document
Also more details can be found on: https://www.immigration.gov.np/en/post/prohibition-to-visa-on-arrival-1
Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA)
Please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA) if you have not acquired Visa prior to boarding the plane.
1st Step
Fill in ‘Arrival Card’.
Fill in Online ‘Tourist Visa’ form (you can fill it up prior to your arrival visiting our official website Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport). If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after. If so, you will have to fill it up again.
One may be able to fill online visa application before arriving in Nepal through the link http://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/
2nd Step
Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement (15/30/90 Days). Get the receipt.
While you can use different modes of payments (at visa fees collection counter), we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.
3rd Step
Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts and your passport. Hand in your documents to immigration officer for visa processing. He/she issues visa to you upon his/her satisfaction.
On Arrival Visa Fee at Entry Points / Visa Fees
- 15 Days: 30 USD
- 30 Days: 50 USD
- 90 Days: 125 USD
Multiple Entry, 15 Days: US$ 30 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple Entry, 30 Days: US$ 50 or equivalent convertible currency
Multiple Entry, 90 Days: US$ 125 or equivalent convertible currency
Visa Extension
Tourist visa extension is done for minimum 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days. In the case of delay less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day as late fine.
In the case of delay for visa extension up to 150 days, additional of US$ 5 per day will be charged as late fine.
Can be done by Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Tourist Visa extension can be done from Immigration Office, Pokhara too. Non tourist visa extension can be done only at Department of Immigration (if eligible) for a period of maximum one year (except business visa).
Contact Department of Immigration for extending your visa or changing the category of your visa. Visas of all kinds including ‘Gratis’ issued at the Airport are Tourist Visas.
Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)
Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of following categories of visa applicants:
- Children below 10 years except US citizens
- Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year. Afghan citizen are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with Department of Immigration to get you Gratis Visa ‘On Arrival’.
- Non Residential Nepalese (NRN) card holder issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) / Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad
- Chinese Nationals for 150 days
Reciprocal visa waiver (no Entry Visa required)
Officials from the following do not need Entry Visa based on reciprocal visa waiver Agreement:
- Thailand: Exemption up to 90 Days
- Russian Federation: Exemption up to 90 Days
- People's Republic of China: Exemption up to 30 Days
- Federal Republic of Brazil: Exemption up to 90 Days
- Myanmar - Exemption up to 90 Days
- Vietnam - Exemption up to 90 Days
- Cambodia - Exemption up to 30 Days
- Mongolia - Exemption up to 90 Days
- Jordan - Exemption up to 90 Days
- State of Israel - Exemption up to 90 Days
- Georgia - Exemption up to 90 Days
- State of Qatar - Exemption up to 90 Days
Essentials for Tourist Visa
Essentials for Tourist Visa are:
- Valid passport and passport size photo with light background
- Visa fees in US dollars or convertible foreign currency; international credit cards are also accepted
- Visa application form
All tourists / travelers of foreign nationality (apart from India) must obtain Tourist Visa to enter Nepal.
For Travelers of Indian Nationality
Travelers of Indian nationality do not need visa to enter Nepal. Please carry any one of the following documents as valid identity to enter/ exit Nepal.
- Valid national passport
- Election card issued by Election Commission of India
- Pan card, driving license, ration card with photo and age confirmation for elderly people above 65 years
- Identity card issued by principal of school for children below 18 years
Points to Remember for Indian Nationals
- Aadhar (UID) card is not an acceptable as travel document
- Certificate of Registration issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, is not an acceptable travel document
- Emergency certificate and identity certificate issued by Embassy of India in Kathmandu, is valid for single journey for traveling back to India
Traveler FAQ: Tourist Visa & ETA
Below are informal answers to questions travelers often ask, including how the process looks if you are coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, or other countries. This section is not official Department of Immigration guidance. For binding rules, fees, and procedures, rely on the official sections earlier on this page.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa if I am flying from the United States?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa if I am traveling from the United Kingdom?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa from Australia?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa from Canada?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa from Germany or another European Union country?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa from the United Arab Emirates or the Gulf region?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
How do I get a Nepal tourist visa from Japan or South Korea?
Check whether your passport country is on the list that must obtain a visa before arrival (see “Prior Visa Required” above). If you are not on that list, you can usually obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara International Airport, Gautam Buddha International Airport in Lumbini, or other entry points, or you may apply in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission in your region.
Before you fly, you may complete the online tourist visa form through the Department of Immigration process (for example https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/). If you use the website, you receive a submission receipt with a barcode: print it if you can and bring it to the airport. That submission stays valid for fifteen calendar days; after that you must submit again.
At the airport, complete or present your arrival card and form, pay the bank or fee counter for the length you need (15, 30, or 90 days) in US dollars or other accepted payment, keep your receipt, then go to the immigration desk with your passport, form, and receipts. Officials issue the visa when requirements are met. Carry enough cash because card use can carry extra charges and cash is widely used.
If you already obtained a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issue date on that visa, and your permitted stay is counted from the day you enter Nepal.
Official essentials include a valid passport, passport size photograph on a light background, visa fees, and the application form (see “Essentials for Tourist Visa” above). Indian nationals follow the separate rules in “For Travelers of Indian Nationality” above and do not need a tourist visa in the same way.
Common process questions (informal)
I submitted the online tourist form and something about an ETA. Do I print everything and pay 30 USD at the airport? My status page is blank. Is ETA billed separately?
Many travelers complete the visa on arrival form online within fifteen days before landing. You can often show the barcode or receipt on your phone at the visa fee counter, pay for the duration you need (for example 15 days at 30 USD if that matches your stay), then proceed to immigration. You do not have to obtain a separate embassy visa first unless your nationality requires it in advance.
Travelers report that when you use visa on arrival, you do not need a separate ETA product on top of that process. A blank or unhelpful status screen on a third party site does not always mean your airport steps will fail; still, use the official immigration portal and keep your receipt and passport organized.
You pay visa fees for the validity you choose (15, 30, or 90 days per the fee table above), not a second parallel fee in the way some other countries label an ETA. Bring enough US dollars or other accepted payment, and prefer having cash because card payments may add charges.
Will payment and immigration lines be long? I land on a Friday afternoon. The online form did not ask for a passport photo. Is a photo mandatory?
Wait times at the payment counter and immigration windows change with how many international flights arrive at the same time. Peak tourist season and busy banks of arrivals can add delay; a Friday afternoon can be busy but is not uniquely different from other days in a predictable way.
Informal traveler reports often say you may proceed to the visa fee counter first, then join the visa or immigration line. Some say they were not asked for a loose passport photo at the counter, while others follow the official checklist and carry a passport size photo on a light background anyway.
The Department of Immigration officially lists a valid passport and passport size photo with light background as essentials. If you want the least risk of delay, bring the photo and confirm current practice with the Department of Immigration before you travel.
How should I use nepaliport.immigration.gov.np, pick Tribhuvan International Airport, and pay safely before I see immigration?
Open the official online visa application at https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/, select your entry point such as Tribhuvan International Airport when that applies, and complete the tourist visa on arrival form. You may be able to pay online in some cases, or you can pay at the visa fee collection counter at the airport.
Some travelers prefer paying at the physical counter at Tribhuvan International Airport so they are not misled by unofficial or copycat websites. After payment, keep receipts and go to the immigration counter to receive visa on arrival when the officer is satisfied with your documents.
Further information
For further information, please contact Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu
Tel: 00977-1-4433934/ 4429660/ 4438862/ 4438868
E-mail: mail@nepalimmigration.gov.np, dj@nepalimmigration.gov.np
Web site: www.nepalimmigration.gov.np
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