Nepal operates one of the more straightforward visa systems in Asia. Citizens of most countries can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, with no advance application required.
Here is exactly how it works in 2026, and how to move through it quickly.
Visa Fees and Durations
Tourist visas are issued in three standard durations, priced in US dollars.
- 15 days — USD 30
- 30 days — USD 50
- 90 days — USD 125
These are multiple-entry visas. Fees are reviewed periodically, so treat these as current guidance and confirm before travel.
The Airport Process
The sequence at Kathmandu is consistent, and knowing it saves time.
- Complete the online arrival form at the kiosks in the arrivals hall, or fill it in beforehand
- Take the printed receipt to the payment counter
- Pay the visa fee and receive a payment receipt
- Queue at immigration with your passport, both receipts and a photo
- Receive your visa sticker and entry stamp
Queues are longest when several international flights land together, typically mid-afternoon and late evening. Allow up to an hour at busy times.
Save Time: Apply Online First
You can complete the arrival form online up to fifteen days before travel.
- Fill in the form on Nepal’s official immigration portal
- Print the confirmation with its barcode
- Present it at the airport to skip the kiosk queue entirely
This is the single most effective way to shorten your arrival time, and it is free.
What You Need
- A passport valid for at least six months
- One passport-sized photograph
- The visa fee, ideally in US dollars cash
- Your hotel address in Nepal for the form
Bring exact dollars if you can. The payment counters accept major currencies and cards, but card machines are occasionally out of service, and having cash removes the risk entirely.
Who Cannot Get a Visa on Arrival
A small number of nationalities must obtain a visa in advance from a Nepali embassy.
- Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland, Syria and Zimbabwe
- Refugee travel document holders
Indian nationals do not require a visa at all, though photo identification is required.
Other Entry Points
Visa on arrival is also available at major land borders.
- Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar
- Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa) and Pokhara International Airport
- Land border counters keep shorter hours than the airport, so arrive during the day
Extending Your Visa
Extensions are handled at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- Minimum extension of 15 days at USD 45, then USD 3 per additional day
- A maximum of 150 days is permitted in a single calendar year
- Applications are made online and then confirmed in person
- Overstaying carries daily fines, so extend before your visa expires
Free Visa Categories
- Children under 10 are issued a visa free of charge
- SAARC nationals receive 30 days free once per year
- Chinese nationals are currently issued visas free of charge
Practical Tips
- Have your photo ready; the airport photo booth adds delay
- Do not lose the payment receipt, as immigration will not proceed without it
- Your trekking permits are separate and are arranged in Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Keep a photocopy of your passport and visa separately from the originals
Ready to Plan Your Arrival?
The Nepali visa process is genuinely simple, and completing the online form in advance makes it faster still.
At Global Rising Tours & Travel, we meet clients at the airport and handle permits, transfers and onward logistics from the moment you land. Explore our tour packages or contact us to arrange your arrival.
