Introduction
Getting a Nepal visa is one of the simplest visa processes in Asia. Nepal offers visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu — no embassy visit required, no prior application for most nationalities.
But there are things trekkers need to know that most visa guides do not cover — what documents you need alongside your visa, what the trekking permit system looks like on top of the visa, how long you actually need, and what happens if you want to extend.
I am Saroj Ghimire, Director of Global Nepal Treks (Govt License) . After 18 years arranging Nepal treks for visitors from Australia, UK, USA, Germany, Netherlands, France, India, and more — I answer these questions every week. This is the most complete honest Nepal visa guide for 2026.
Who Needs a Nepal Visa?
Almost all foreign nationals need a visa to enter Nepal. The exceptions are very few:
No visa required:
Indian nationals — Indians can enter Nepal without a visa using a valid Indian passport or government-issued photo ID
Some reciprocal agreement countries — check with your nearest Nepal embassy
Visa required — almost all other nationalities including:
All European Union countries
UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand
China, Japan, South Korea
All South Asian countries except India
Nepal Visa Options in 2026
Nepal offers 3 standard tourist visa durations:
Visa type Duration Cost
Short stay 15 days $30 USD
Standard 30 days $50 USD
Long stay 90 days $125 USD
Which should trekkers choose?
For most Nepal trekkers — 30 days ($50) is the right choice.
Here is the honest calculation:
EBC Trek: 15 days on the trail + 1–2 days Kathmandu before + 1–2 days after = 17–19 days minimum
Annapurna Circuit: 14–17 days on trail + 2–3 days Kathmandu = 17–20 days minimum
Most trekkers add extra Kathmandu sightseeing, Pokhara, or Chitwan safari
The 15-day visa is only enough if you are doing a very short trek like Poon Hill and going home immediately after. For any major trek — get 30 days.
How to Get Nepal Visa — 3 Methods
Method 1 — Visa on Arrival at Kathmandu Airport (Recommended)
This is the simplest method for most trekkers. You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport and complete the visa process before passing through immigration.
Step by step:
Step 1 — Complete the online form first
Go to online.nepalimmigration.gov.np before you fly. Fill in the online visa application form. Print the confirmation or save it on your phone. This speeds up the airport process significantly.
Step 2 — Prepare your documents
At the airport visa counter you need:
Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your travel dates)
Passport-sized photo (bring 2 printed photos — the machines sometimes malfunction)
Completed visa form (printed from online system or fill in at airport)
Cash in USD — exact amount preferred ($30 or $50)
Step 3 — Queue at visa counter
On arrival follow signs to "Visa on Arrival" before immigration. During peak season (October, April) queues can be 30–60 minutes. Have everything ready.
Step 4 — Pay and collect
Pay the visa fee. Collect your visa sticker in your passport. Proceed to immigration.
Total time at airport: 1–2 hours including immigration and baggage. Plan accordingly.
Method 2 — Nepal e-Visa Online
Nepal's e-Visa system allows you to apply before travel and arrive with visa already approved.
How to apply:
Go to online.nepalimmigration.gov.np
Create account and fill in application
Upload passport photo
Pay online by credit/debit card
Receive e-Visa approval by email
Print e-Visa and present at airport immigration
Processing time: 3–5 business days normally. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Advantage: Faster at the airport — dedicated e-Visa lane. No cash needed.
Disadvantage: Requires advance planning. Some trekkers report occasional technical issues with the online system.
Our recommendation: Apply e-Visa if you are planning 2+ weeks in advance. Otherwise visa on arrival is perfectly simple.
Method 3 — Nepal Embassy Visa (Before Travel)
You can apply at a Nepal embassy or consulate in your home country before traveling.
When to use this method:
Your nationality does not qualify for visa on arrival (rare)
You want multiple entry visa
You are staying longer than 90 days
How to find your nearest Nepal embassy:
Go to mofa.gov.np — the Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs website — for a complete list of Nepal embassies worldwide.
Nepal Visa Cost 2026 — Payment Details
Currency: USD is the standard currency for visa fees at Kathmandu Airport. Euros and GBP are sometimes accepted but USD is preferred. Bring exact change — change at the visa counter is sometimes unreliable.
Can I pay by card? The e-Visa online system accepts credit/debit cards. The airport visa on arrival counter is primarily cash. Some counters have card machines but do not rely on this — bring USD cash.
Where to get USD in Nepal: ATMs are available immediately after immigration at Kathmandu Airport. But you need the visa money before immigration. Bring USD from home or exchange before landing.
Nepal Visa for Children
Children under 10 years do not require a visa for Nepal.
Children aged 10 and above require a standard Nepal visa at the same fee as adults.
For family trekking information — see our best family-friendly treks Nepal 2026 guide.
Nepal Visa Extension
If you want to stay longer than your original visa — Nepal visa extension is straightforward.
Where to extend:
Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu
Open: Sunday–Thursday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (Nepal government working days)
Extension cost:
$3 per day for first 150 days
$5 per day after 150 days
Maximum stay in Nepal per year: 150 days on tourist visa
Documents needed for extension:
Passport
Existing Nepal visa
Completed extension form (available at immigration office)
Passport photo
Extension fee in USD or NPR
How long does extension take? Same day — approximately 1–2 hours at the immigration office.
Can Global Nepal Treks help with visa extension? Yes — our Kathmandu office can advise and assist with the extension process. Contact us at info@globalnepaltreks.com.
Nepal Visa and Trekking Permits — They Are Different Things
This is the most common confusion among first-time Nepal trekkers.
Your Nepal visa allows you to enter and stay in Nepal. It does not give you permission to trek specific routes.
Trekking permits are separate documents required for specific areas and routes. You need BOTH a valid Nepal visa AND the relevant trekking permits.
Standard trekking permits required:
Permit Routes Cost
TIMS Card All major routes $20
Sagarmatha National Park EBC, Gokyo $30
ACAP Annapurna region $30
Langtang National Park Langtang $30
Manaslu Restricted Area Manaslu Circuit $100/week
Upper Mustang Restricted Area Upper Mustang $500/10 days
Nar Phu Restricted Area Nar Phu Valley $100/week
Global Nepal Treks arranges ALL trekking permits for our clients. You do not need to visit any permit office. Permits are collected in Kathmandu before your trek begins as part of our service.
For a complete permit guide for each trek see our Nepal trekking cost 2026 guide.
Which Nationalities Have Special Nepal Visa Arrangements?
Chinese nationals
Chinese citizens can obtain a Nepal visa on arrival. However a special arrangement exists — Chinese nationals can also apply for a free visa through designated border crossings and airports under a bilateral agreement. Check current arrangements with the Nepal Embassy in Beijing before travel as these can change.
SAARC nationals (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan)
SAARC nationals (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) receive a free visa for up to 30 days — no fee charged. Must still apply on arrival or through e-Visa system.
Indian nationals
No visa required. Indian citizens can enter Nepal on a valid Indian passport or government-issued photo ID.
All other nationalities
Standard visa on arrival fees apply as listed above.
Nepal Visa for Trekkers — Practical Tips
Tip 1 — Apply e-Visa before travel
Even if you plan to get visa on arrival — completing the online form in advance at online.nepalimmigration.gov.np saves 20–30 minutes at the airport.
Tip 2 — Bring exact USD cash
$50 USD for 30-day visa. Exact change. This is the single most practical tip for avoiding airport stress.
Tip 3 — Bring 2 passport photos
The airport has photo booths but they sometimes have queues or technical issues. Bring 2 photos from home.
Tip 4 — Check passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Nepal. If your passport expires within 6 months of travel — renew it before booking.
Tip 5 — Get 30 days not 15
The extra $20 is worth it. Almost every major Nepal trek takes more than 15 days when you include Kathmandu days before and after. Do not squeeze your Nepal trip into a 15-day visa.
Tip 6 — Multiple entry visa
If you are planning to visit Nepal and also cross to Tibet or India and return to Nepal — you need a multiple entry visa. Apply through your nearest Nepal embassy before travel.
Nepal Entry Points — Where Can You Get Visa?
Nepal visa on arrival is available at these international entry points:
Air:
Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu — main entry point for all international trekkers
Gautam Buddha Airport, Bhairahawa — limited international flights from India
Pokhara International Airport — some international flights introduced recently
Land borders:
Birgunj — Raxaul crossing (India)
Bhairahawa — Sunauli crossing (India)
Belhiya — Nautanwa crossing (India)
Kakarbhitta — Panitanki crossing (India)
Kodari — Tatopani crossing (Tibet/China) — check current status as this can be closed periodically
Rasuwagadhi — Kyirong crossing (Tibet/China) — most commonly used Tibet entry point
Most trekkers enter through Kathmandu Airport. Land border crossings are primarily used by travellers combining Nepal with India or Tibet tours.
For our India to Nepal tour see the Partner with Us Nepal tour on our website.
Frequently Asked Questions — Nepal Visa 2026
Q: Can I get a Nepal visa at the border with India?
Yes — Nepal visa on arrival is available at all major India-Nepal land border crossings including Birgunj, Bhairahawa, and Kakarbhitta. Same fees apply as at Kathmandu Airport.
Q: How long before travel should I apply for e-Visa?
Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. Processing usually takes 3–5 business days but can take longer during peak periods. Apply early to avoid stress.
Q: Can I extend my Nepal visa inside Nepal?
Yes — at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan). Cost: $3 per day. Same day processing. Maximum 150 days total per year on tourist visa.
Q: Do I need a visa for Bhutan if I am booking a Bhutan tour through Nepal?
Yes — Bhutan requires a separate Bhutan Tourist Visa arranged through a licensed Bhutan tour operator. This is different from your Nepal visa. Global Nepal Treks arranges Bhutan visas for our Bhutan Cultural Tour clients.
Q: Do I need a special visa for trekking?
No — the standard tourist visa covers trekking. However you need separate trekking permits in addition to your visa. See the permits section above.
Q: Can I work in Nepal on a tourist visa?
No — a tourist visa does not permit employment or paid work in Nepal. For business or volunteer activities contact the Nepal Embassy in your country for appropriate visa category.
Q: Is Nepal visa free for any nationalities?
SAARC nationals (Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan) receive a free 30-day visa. Indian nationals do not require any visa. All other nationalities pay standard fees.
Q: What happens if my Nepal visa expires while I am trekking?
You will be fined at the immigration checkpoint on exit — approximately $3 per day overstay. Always ensure your visa covers your full planned stay plus at least 2–3 buffer days for flight delays or unplanned extensions. Better to buy 30 days and not use all of them than to overstay.
Q: Can I get Tibet travel permit in Nepal?
Yes — Tibet travel permits can be arranged through licensed tour operators in Kathmandu for groups travelling to Tibet via the Rasuwagadhi-Kyirong border or by air. Global Nepal Treks arranges Tibet Kailash tours including all Tibet entry permits.
Q: What is the Nepal visa fee in 2026 — has it changed?
Nepal visa fees have been stable at $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), and $125 (90 days) for several years. No changes announced for 2026. Always verify current fees at online.nepalimmigration.gov.np before travel as fees can change.
Nepal Visa Summary — Quick Reference
What Detail
Visa on arrival ✅ Available at Kathmandu Airport
e-Visa online ✅ Available at online.nepalimmigration.gov.np
15-day visa $30 USD
30-day visa $50 USD — recommended for trekkers
90-day visa $125 USD
Indian nationals No visa required
SAARC nationals Free 30-day visa
Children under 10 No visa required
Payment at airport USD cash recommended
Visa extension $3/day at Kathmandu immigration
Maximum stay 150 days per year
Passport validity required 6 months beyond travel dates
Trekking permits Separate — not part of visa
About the Author
Saroj Ghimire is the Director of Global Nepal Treks — a government-licensed trekking and tour agency in Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal Since 2008 Saroj has arranged Nepal entry documentation for trekkers from over 50 countries.
info@globalnepaltreks.com · 📞 +977-9744258519 · 🌐 globalnepaltreks.com
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