Nepal Visa on Arrival Guide 2026
Entering Nepal is refreshingly simple, as the Nepal Visa on Arrival (VoA) system lets you skip the embassy queue and collect your tourist visa directly at the border and airport. Whether you’re entering for travel or for another purpose, you’ll still get a tourist visa.
Gautam Buddha International Airport, Pokhara International Airport and Tribhuwan International Airport offer a visa on arrival to eligible tourists. Here’s everything you need to know before you land.
What are the Requirements for a Visa on Arrival in Nepal?
As of 2026, citizens from most countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Oceania are eligible for the Nepal visa. Below are some requirements to obtain a visa on arrival:
- Valid passport — at least 6 months of validity remaining, with one blank page for the visa sticker
- Passport-size photo — recent, color, white background (bring at least 2 printed copies)
- Completed visa application form — fill the Nepal visa on arrival online form before departure, or use the kiosk machines at the airport
- Visa fee payment — USD cash preferred, and card payment is sometimes available, but not guaranteed.
- Proof of onward travel — a return or connecting flight ticket
- Accommodation details — your first night’s hotel address (e.g., in Thamel, Kathmandu)
Note: The online pre-filled form generates a barcode receipt. Print it out, it is valid for 15 days from submission. After that, you must refill the form.
Which countries are Ineligible for the Visa on Arrival in 2026?
As of 2026, citizens of the following countries cannot get a Visa upon arrival. They must obtain a Visa from a Nepalese Embassy or Consulate before traveling:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Zimbabwe
- Swaziland (Eswatini)
- Cameroon
- Ethiopia
- Liberia
- Somalia
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- Syria
- Iran
- Palestine
- Refugees with a travel document
Airlines may refuse boarding if you hold one of these passports without a pre-issued Nepali Visa. Apply at your nearest Nepalese diplomatic mission well in advance.
Gratis Visa (Free Visa)
Several categories of travelers receive a free Visa on arrival:
| Traveler Category | Free Visa Duration | Condition |
| Indian nationals | Unlimited stay | No visa needed at all |
| SAARC citizens (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) | 30 days | Free for the first visit in a visa year (once per calendar year). |
| Chinese nationals | 15, 30, or 90 days | All durations are free |
| NRN (Non-Resident Nepali) cardholders | Standard duration | Card issued by the MoFA or Nepalese mission abroad |
| Children under 10 (except the US) | Standard duration | Free visa at the embassy Children of U.S. citizens must pay the standard Visa fee. |
| Afghan nationals | 15, 30, or 90 days | Gratis only with a letter of recommendation from the Department of Immigration |
Note: For SAARC travelers, the free Visa applies once per calendar year only. A second visit within the same year requires full payment. Extensions beyond the free period are also charged at standard rates.
Visa-Free Entry for Certain Nationals (2026 Update)
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter Nepal for short stays, based on bilateral agreements:
| Countries | Exemption Duration |
| Thailand | Up to 90 days |
| Russian Federation | Up to 90 Days |
| People’s Republic of China | Up to 30 Days |
| Federal Republic of Brazil | Up to 90 Days |
| Myanmar | Up to 90 Days |
| Vietnam | Up to 90 Days |
| Cambodia | Up to 30 Days |
| Mongolia | Up to 90 Days |
| Jordan | Up to 90 Days |
| State of Israel | Up to 90 Days |
| Georgia | Up to 90 Days |
| State of Qatar | Up to 90 Days |
Note: This is different from the gratis (free) visa. These travelers simply present their passports upon arrival with no visa processing required.
How Much is a Nepal Visa on Arrival Fee?
Nepal tourist Visa fees in 2026 are straightforward:
| Visa Duration | Fee (USD) |
| 15 days | $30 |
| 30 days | $50 |
| 90 days | $125 |
All tourist VoA Visas are multiple-entry, meaning you can exit and re-enter Nepal within the validity period. The maximum total stay is 150 days per calendar year.
The cost of a Nepali visa on arrival can be paid in USD or equivalent convertible foreign currency (EUR or GBP are widely accepted). However, always carry cash because card machines at immigration counters, especially at land borders, are unreliable.
Overstay Penalties & Visa Extension Fees
If you extend your tourist visa at the Department of Immigration (Kathmandu) or Pokhara Immigration Office, your extension does NOT include automatic re-entry. To leave and re-enter Nepal during your extended period, you must pay an additional $20 USD for the multiple re-entry facility.
| Overstay Period | Fee (Per day) |
| First 30 days | USD 2 per day |
| Next 31-90 days | USD 3 per day |
| Beyond 90 days | USD 5 per day |
Additionally, if you extend your visa (not overstay), the fee structure is:
Minimum 15-day extension: $45 USD
- Each additional day beyond 15 days: $3 USD
- Late fine for delay under 150 days: an additional $5 USD per day
How to Get Nepal Visa on Arrival (Step-by-Step Guide)
Via Online (ETA Pre-Application, Recommended)
In 2026, pre-filling your online tourist Visa form is the fastest way to clear immigration. Here is how:
- Visit the Department of Immigration’s official site or office within 15 days of your arrival date.
- Complete the Tourist Visa application form.
- You will receive a barcode receipt after submitting the form.
- Print the receipt and carry it to the airport.
- On arrival, skip the kiosk queue and go straight to the Visa fee payment counter.
- Pay the fee, collect your receipt, and proceed to the immigration desk.
- Hand over your passport, printed receipt, and passport photo, and then the officer will stamp your Visa.
Note: This option saves significant time, especially during peak trekking seasons (Spring and Autumn) when airport queues can stretch for hours.
Visa on Arrival at the Airport
If you did not apply online before arriving in Nepal, follow these steps at any international Airport you land:
- On arrival, proceed to the Visa kiosk machines in the immigration hall.
- Fill in the Tourist Visa digital form on the kiosk; the machine prints your barcode receipt.
- Take the receipt to the Visa fee payment counter and pay in USD.
- Proceed to the immigration desk with:
- Passport
- Printed barcode receipt
- Passport-size photo
- Payment receipt
- The immigration officer processes and stamps your Visa in your passport.
Processing time is typically 20–45 minutes, though expect longer waits during holidays like Dashain and Tihar (October/November).
Nepal Visa on Arrival at Land Borders
A visa on arrival can be obtained at the following land borders if tourists are eligible:
| Coming From | Border Checkpoints |
| Eastern India (West Bengal) | Kakarbhitta, Biratnagar |
| Central India (Bihar) | Birgunj (Raxaul), |
| India (Varanasi / Delhi route) | Belahiya / Sunauli |
| India (Uttar Pradesh) | Bhairahawa, Jamunaha (Banke) |
| India (Uttarakhand) | Mohana (Kailai), Gaddhachauki (Mahendranagar) |
| Tibet, China | Kodari / Rasuwagadhi |
Key differences at land borders:
- Bring USD cash because card payment machines are rarely functional at land borders.
- Carry 2 printed passport photos. It will help if digital kiosk machines are unavailable.
- The process is the same: fill the form → pay the fee → get the visa stamped.
For the most up-to-date and official information, always verify directly with Nepal’s Department of immigration before travel.
The Types of Nepali Visa and Differences
Here is a side-by-side breakdown of the four main visa categories in Nepal, such as Tourist (Visa on Arrival), Business, Student, and Work. Identify the right one before you apply.
| Aspects | Tourist (Visa on Arrival) | Business Visa | Student Visa | Work Visa |
| Purpose | Tourism, trekking, sightseeing, visiting friends/family | Investment, trade, business operations | Formal study, academic research, teaching | Employment under a Nepali employer |
| Who Issues It | Department of Immigration (at the port of entry) | Department of Immigration (Non-Tourist section) | Department of Immigration (Non-Tourist section) | Department of Immigration (Non-Tourist section) |
| Where to Apply | On arrival at the TIA airport or land border | In-country, after entering on a tourist visa | In-country, after entering on a tourist visa | In-country, after entering on a tourist visa |
| Duration | 15 / 30 / 90 days | 1 month to 5 years | Tied to the academic enrollment period | Tied to work contract/employment period |
| Max Stay | 150 days per calendar year | Renewable annually | Renewable per academic year | Renewable per contract term |
| Fee | $30 (15 days) / $50 (30 days) / $125 (90 days) | $30/month (small investment) up to $300/year or $1,000/5 years | $30/month $75/month (varies by program) | NPR 8,798/month (approx. $65 USD) Re-entry fees apply separately |
| Key Documents | Passport (6+ months validity), passport photo, visa fee, onward ticket and accommodation proof | Passport, business registration and a recommendation letter from the Department of Industry or the relevant ministry, investment proof | Passport, admission letter from a recognized institution, and recommendation from the Ministry of Education | Passport, employment contract, labor permit from the Department of Labor, recommendation from the line ministry, work agreement |
| Processing Time | 20–45 minutes (at TIA) | 2–3 weeks (ministry recommendation) + 5 working days (DOI) | Varies — typically 2–4 weeks after institution confirmation | 6–7 weeks (multi-agency: Ministry → Dept. of Labor → DOI) |
| Multiple Entry? | Yes | Yes (with re-entry fee) | Subject to visa conditions | Single or multiple re-entry — paid separately |
| Extension Possible? | Yes — up to 150 days/year | Yes — annually with updated business/tax docs | Yes — if studies continue and the institution supports | Yes — tied to contract renewal |
| Extension Fee | $45 per 15 days + $3/additional day | Standard renewal fees apply | Standard renewal fees apply | Monthly recurring fee (per employment contract) |
| Ideal For | Travelers, trekkers, mountaineers, short-term visitors | Foreign investors, entrepreneurs and export business operators | International students, researchers and foreign teachers | Foreign employees hired by Nepali companies or organizations |
Tips regarding the Visa on Arrival process
Before you travel:
- Pre-fill the online visa form to save time at immigration.
- Confirm your country’s eligibility on the Department of Immigration official page.
- Carry new, clean USD bills (Series 2013 or newer). Nepalese bank counters do not accept damaged or written-on notes.
At the immigration office:
- Have your hotel name and address ready for the application form.
- Keep your barcode printout and payment receipt safe; you may be asked for them.
- Indian nationals can go directly to the Indian Nationals’ desk, not the VoA counter.
During your stay:
- Tourist visas are extendable up to 150 days per year at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or the Immigration Office in Pokhara.
- You must apply for a fan or extension before your current Visa expires; otherwise, you can get fined.
- Your visa is valid from the day you enter Nepal, not the day it was issued.
Contact Joyful Eco Trek if you’re planning to trek in the Himalayas and want your Nepal trekking permits ready, along with a Visa on Arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Nepal Visa on Arrival still available in 2026?
Yes. Nepal’s Visa on Arrival system remains fully operational in 2026 at Tribhuvan International Airport and all major land border crossings.
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport?
Yes. Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is the main international entry point and processes Visas on arrival for eligible nationalities 365 days a year.
How long can I stay on a tourist visa?
You can get a 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day tourist visa. The total allowed stay is 150 days per calendar year, regardless of how many visas or extensions you obtain.
What currency should I use to pay for the Nepal visa?
USD is the most reliable option. EUR and GBP are also accepted. Avoid old, torn, or written-on bill payment methods. Card payment is possible at TIA, but they recommend paying in cash most often.
Can I work in Nepal on a tourist visa?
No. Working, doing business activities, or any tasks for payment is not allowed on a tourist visa. However, you can apply for a working visa at the Department of Immigration to get employment.
Is travel insurance required for Nepal?
No. Travel insurance is not a visa requirement, but it is recommended for trekking in high-altitude areas of Nepal, as it helps in an emergency.
What happens if my visa expires while I am in Nepal?
If you stay more than the valid visa period, you’ll get fined per day. So, always extend your visa by applying online to the Immigration of Nepal portal or visiting the DOI office in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Can I enter Nepal multiple times on a Visa on arrival?
Yes. All tourist visas issued on arrival are multiple-entry, allowing for exit and re-entry to Nepal within the visa validity period.
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