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, with current researched fee figures below, so you know what to prepare and what to reconfirm; it does not state requirements as permanent facts. Last reviewed: 27 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.
| Visa duration | Researched fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | ≈$30 | Multiple-entry, on arrival or pre-filed online |
| 30 days | ≈$50 | The most common tier for a standard trip |
| 90 days | ≈$125 | Useful for longer, multi-region trips or overland combinations |
Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal, and other SAARC-country nationals have historically received one free 30-day tourist visa per calendar year. These figures are NepalPick's own research, cross-checked across several current Nepal visa-information sources as of 27 July 2026 — they are not official figures and Immigration revises fees without much advance international publicity, so reconfirm the exact amount and accepted payment currency before you fly.
Three preparation habits prevent most arrival problems: check your passport’s validity comfortably exceeds your stay, carry visa payment in fresh, undamaged USD bills or another form the arrival point actually accepts (see money in Nepal for currency and cash logistics more broadly), 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, generally in a minimum 15-day block priced around $45 plus roughly $3 per additional day, up to a combined annual ceiling of about 150 days in a calendar year; re-entry and multiple-entry arrangements exist for travellers combining Nepal with neighbouring countries. Overstaying carries per-day fines on top of the extension fee and can complicate future visits, and even a short, unintentional delay is treated as an overstay — 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. These figures are researched estimates, not an official fee table; if your itinerary runs close to your visa limit, confirm the current extension fee and process with Immigration directly and 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?
As researched and cross-checked as of 27 July 2026, on-arrival tourist visa fees run roughly $30 for 15 days, $50 for 30 days, and $125 for 90 days; Indian citizens enter visa-free and other SAARC nationals have historically received one free 30-day visa per calendar year. Fees are revised periodically and this is not an official figure, so check the current fee table on the Department of Immigration website and carry payment in an accepted form — 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, generally priced around $45 for a minimum 15-day block plus roughly $3 per additional day, up to a combined annual ceiling of about 150 days per calendar year — overstaying adds a further daily fine on top. These are researched estimates, not official figures; verify the current extension process, fees, and limits 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
The fee figures above are NepalPick's own research, cross-checked against current published Nepal visa-information sources as of 27 July 2026 — they are not official figures. 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 and exact amount there — or with your nearest Nepali embassy — before booking non-refundable travel.