Entry planning
Nepal visa guide: prepare well, verify officially
For most international travellers, entering Nepal as a tourist is straightforward — but fees, eligibility lists, and procedures are set by Nepal’s Department of Immigration and do change. This page explains how the system generally works so you know what to prepare and what to verify; it does not state requirements as permanent facts. Last reviewed: 13 July 2026.
How the tourist visa generally works
Nepal issues tourist visas in duration tiers, each with its own fee. Most nationalities can obtain one on arrival at Kathmandu’s international airport or at designated land borders, either by completing the process at arrival kiosks and counters or by pre-filling an online arrival form beforehand to shorten queues. A limited list of nationalities is not eligible on arrival and must apply in advance at a Nepali embassy or diplomatic mission.
Three preparation habits prevent most arrival problems: check your passport’s validity comfortably exceeds your stay, carry visa payment in a form the arrival point actually accepts, and keep a printed or offline copy of any pre-filled form and your first night’s accommodation details. Arrival halls are busiest after multiple flights land together — patience and complete paperwork matter more than speed.
Extensions, overstays, and multiple entries
Tourist visas have historically been extendable inside Nepal through the Department of Immigration, up to an annual ceiling of days per calendar year, and re-entry and multiple-entry arrangements exist for travellers combining Nepal with neighbouring countries. Overstaying carries per-day penalties and can complicate future visits, so treat your visa’s expiry date with the same seriousness as your flight dates — especially on remote treks, where weather delays can eat buffer days. If your itinerary runs close to your visa limit, build the extension visit into your plan rather than hoping timing works out.
What the visa does not cover
The tourist visa authorises entry and stay — nothing else. Trekking registration, national park and conservation area entry, and restricted-area authorisations are separate systems explained in the Nepal trekking permits guide. If you are still shaping the trip itself, the Nepal travel guide covers orientation, and the Nepal itinerary and travel cost pages cover time and budget planning.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Citizens of most countries have historically been able to obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at designated land border crossings. A small number of nationalities are excluded and must apply in advance at a Nepali embassy or mission — check the Department of Immigration's current list before booking flights.
How much does a Nepal tourist visa cost?
Fees are set by duration tier and are revised periodically, so NepalPick does not publish amounts that could go stale. Check the current fee table on the Department of Immigration website, and carry payment in an accepted form, since payment options at arrival points can be more limited than official pages suggest.
Can I extend a tourist visa inside Nepal?
Tourist visa extensions have historically been available through the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and Pokhara, subject to annual limits on total days per calendar year. Verify the current extension process, limits, and fees directly with Immigration rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
What documents should I prepare before flying?
As a general rule: a passport valid well beyond your stay (six months' validity is the common benchmark), a passport-style photo, the arrival card or pre-filled online form where offered, proof of onward travel if your airline asks, and visa-fee payment in an accepted currency. Confirm specifics against official guidance close to departure.
Does a Nepal visa cover trekking permits too?
No. The tourist visa covers entry and stay; trekking permits, park entry fees, and restricted-area authorisations are separate systems with their own rules and fees. See the Nepal trekking permits guide for how those work.
Official sources and what to reconfirm
Visa fees, eligible-nationality lists, forms, and extension rules are set by Nepal’s Department of Immigration and change without much international publicity. Verify every requirement there — or with your nearest Nepali embassy — before booking non-refundable travel.