How to Get Nepal Visa?

Bandhu Ghimire
Bandhu GhimireAug 29th 2024

How can you get a Nepal Tourist Visa?

What do you need, to apply for getting Nepal Tourist Visa on arrival?

  • Your passport (should have at least 6 months validity)
  • An arrival card (duly filled up your origin and destination details)
  • Visa application form (you can get it on arrival or fill through the internet through Department Of Immigration Nepal)
  • Visa Fee (if you need the visa for more than 30 days or you have arrived again in the same fiscal year as advised above) 
  • Your round trip ticket
  • Details of accommodation in Nepal (Hotel)
  • Cash (ATM card/Credit Card)

I personally advise to carry round trip ticket, booked hotel info along with cash (ATM /Credit card) to show to the local immigration officer at the airport in your home country. As per some SAARC - country tourists, the local immigration officer asks for these documents to verify whether the travelers are capable to travel or not and to ensure that they are not going to be a victim of human trafficking.

How to apply a tourist visa to enter Nepal?

  • Fill up the arrival card

You can get the arrival card in the plane itself, before landing. You can fill the card while being seated in your seat to save your time. If you didn’t get the arrival card inside the plane by a cabin crew member, don’t worry! You will definitely get it in the arrival area, nearby the visa application form.

  • Fill up the visa application form

You have two options to fill the visa application form:

Online:
You can fill this online form 15 days before your travel date since this form will remain in the system only for 15 days. After 15 days it will automatically be deleted. By filling your personal information along with a photo (size: 1.5” x 1.5”) and specifying your accommodation in Nepal you are done. Just print and carry it with you. You have to present it at the immigration counter in Nepal airport.

On Arrival:
You can fill this form digitally on the arrival; it will just take 5 minutes. You will get assistance easily if required. Don’t forget to carry a digital photograph (size: 1.5” x 1.5”) in your removable device to upload your photograph for the application. Once done, print it and carry it with you. You have to present it at the immigration counter.

  • Make the Payment

You can make the payment at the counter. New revised rate of the tourist visa is as following:-

15 Day Visa

USD 30

30 Day Visa

USD 50

90 Day Visa

USD 125

Note: other popular currencies are accepted, converting them in USD/NPR based on that day’s exchange rate. I kindly advise everyone to bring USD on cash to do the job instantly.

  • Take a receipt and carry it with you. You have to present it at the immigration counter.
  • Get the visa from the immigration counter

Now, you are set to present all documents to show to the immigration officer. Present your passport, arrival card, visa application form and cash receipt to the immigration officer.

 

Welcome to Nepal. Please claim your baggage and exit accordingly, get ready to be welcomed by airport representative of Shepherd Holidays:)

 

How to extend your Nepal Visa?

You can extend your Nepal visa up to a maximum stay of 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days in one visit. Visa extension centers are located in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Please feel free to contact us for more info and assistance.

Note: In the case of delay less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day will be charged as late fine.

Advice from the Department of Immigration for Online Visa Applicants

In order to avoid long queues and unnecessary problems, kindly submit a complete Online Visa Application form to the Immigration Authority of Nepal in your first attempt! To do that, here are a few things you need to prepare:

  1. Please keep your valid passport at hand.
  2. Prepare yourself with a recent digital photograph (size: 1.5” x 1.5”) in your removable device to upload your photograph for the application.
  3. Gather beforehand
  4. A detailed permanent residence address
  5. A detailed address in Nepal.
  6. You need to provide telephone numbers—land-line and mobile.
  7. You need to provide your email address too.

The submitted application will remain in the system for 15 days. After 15 days, the application will be deleted automatically from the system.

Once the application is successfully submitted, a receipt will be sent to your email immediately.

Print the receipt and keep it with you as you need to produce it before the Immigration Authority.

For your convenience, the deadline to contact the Immigration Authority will be mentioned in the receipt.

The receipt also mentions about the documents you need to produce before the Immigration Authority.

Please contact the Immigration Authority within 15 days after the submission of the application.

For example: If you submit your extension application today, and your visa is expiring the next day, on the third day if you visit the Department of Immigration, you will have to pay a late fee of that day. In order to prevent this sort of hassle, please submit your extension application on time and get your visa renewed before crossing the expiry date.

When you contact the Immigration Authority, please make sure you have the receipt and proper documents with you including the necessary fee.

No on arrival visa for country list - AFG,IRQ,CMR,GHA,SOM,SWZ,PSE,ZWE,NGA,ETH,LBR

Well, that's all for getting a Nepal Tourist Visa in a very simple and systematic way.

Immigration Offices, under Department of Immigration have been facilitating tourists flying to Nepal by providing Visa on Arrival. 'On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival. Choice is yours.

 If you have obtained visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions, then you must enter Nepal within six months from the visa issued date. Your total stay is counted starting from the day you enter into Nepal.

Visas obtained on Arrival at the Entry and Exit points are 'Tourist Visas'.  They bear multiple Re entry facility. Tourist Visa 'On Arrival' is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for the purposes other than Tourism (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families), you should still get ' Tourist Visa' to get into the country.  However, you must change the category of visa as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal from Department of Immigration by producing required documents.

Nationals of following countries are requested to acquire Visa prior their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of Nepal Government.  

  1. Nigeria
  2. Ghana
  3. Zimbabwe
  4. Swaziland
  5. Cameroon
  6. Somalia
  7. Liberia
  8. Ethiopia
  9. Iraq
  10. Palestine
  11. Afghanistan
  12. Syria
  13. Refugees with travel document

Visa Extension Fee 

  • Tourist visa extension is done for minimum 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days.
  • In the case of delay less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day as late fine.

 

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

Nationals who gets Gratis Visa (Visa for Free) to enter Nepal

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of following categories of Visa applicants:

Children below 10 years except US citizens
Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year.  Afghan citizen are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with Department of Immigration to get you Gratis Visa 'On Arrival'.
Non Residential Nepalese(NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
Chinese Nationals for 150 days
Officials from 

Thailand – Exemption up to 90 Days
Russian Federation – Exemption up to 90 Days
People’s Republic of China – Exemption up to 30 Days
Federal Republic of Brazil – Exemption up to 90 Days
Myanmar - Exemption up to 90 Days  
Vietnam - Exemption up to 90 Days
Cambodia - Exemption up to 30 Days
Mongolia - Exemption up to 90 Days
Jordan - Exemption up to 90 Days
State of Israel - Exemption up to 90 Days
Georgia - Exemption up to 90 Days
State of Qatar - Exemption up to 90 Days
do not need Entry Visa based on reciprocal visa waiver Agreement

Visas of all kinds including ‘Gratis’ issued at the Airport are Tourist Visas. Contact Department of Immigration for extending your visa or changing the category of your visa. Tourist Visa extension can be done from Immigration Office, Pokhara too. Non tourist visa extension can be done only at Department of Immigration (if eligible) for a period of maximum one year (except business visa). 

Do Indian National Required a Nepal visa?

No, Indian Passport holders can enter Nepal without a visa. 

How the citizens of India can reach Nepal?

Nepal is a landlocked country located between China and India. All three borders except north is India so some people says Nepal as an India locked country because north borders are very difficult to trade with other countries due to Himalayas. Nepal remains a good friend of India after its establishment as it was with East India Company after concluding the Anglo Nepalese war also known as Gurkha war in a treaty on March 4, 1816.

As mentioned above Nepal is very close to India so it is very easy task for Indians to enter Nepal. Here are 3 options for Indians to enter in Nepal.

Air transportation

The air flight has been always easy transportation for Indians to reach Nepal as it takes only few hours to land in Nepal. Regular flights from Delhi, Bangalore & Mumbai reach Kathmandu within around 1.45 Hrs, 3 Hrs & 2.45 Hrs respectively. Nepal Airlines, Indigo and many other connected flights from other countries are being operated from India to Nepal.

Road Transportation

There are 6 major borders to enter Nepal by public/reserved transportation but other small pass stations are also being used by locals for shopping or other personal tasks. Delhi Kathmandu bus service comes to the first choice among travelers if they want to visit Nepal by public road transportation.

Most Indians love to cross Nepal from Sonauli border which is comparatively easy if they are traveling towards major tourist destinations of Nepal like Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Muktinath, Annapurna, Everest Etc. This route also connects easily from Delhi to Sonauli border by public transportation. Even there is an option to arrive by train from Delhi to Gorakhpur, then many public and private transportation options are waiting you at Gorakhpur to reach to Sonauli boarder. Once you cross the border, all means of road transportation are ready to pick you to your destinations.

6 Major borders crossing Nepal from India

  1. Banbasa (Ind) – Kanchanpur (Nep)
  2. Rupaidiha (Ind) – Nepalganj (Nep)
  3. Sonauli (Ind) – Bhairahawa (Nep)
  4. Raxaul (Ind) –Birgunj (Nep)
  5. Jogbani (Ind) –Biratnagar (Nep)
  6. Panitanki (Ind) – Kakarbhitta (Nep)

Rail Transportation

A regular passenger & cargo train is being operated from India and Nepal since years. It connects from Raxaul to Sirsiya. However, Jaynagar to Kurtha is going to be connected through passenger train in near future which connects south eastern of Nepal. It especially helps to Indian tourists to visit home land of Sita maiya (believed to be a wife of god Ram as per Hindu myth) Janakpur. Janakpur is one of the pilgrimage, Historic, Medieval, Cultural tourist destinations of Nepal.

Here, I have answered some of the key - 

Frequently Asked Questions by Indians to travel to Nepal.

FAQ of Indians to travel Nepal

Do Indians required visa to enter Nepal?

No, Indian passport holders can easily enter Nepal without visa.

Can Indians travel to Nepal without passport?

Yes, they can easily travel with other documents such as voter ID card or other documents issued by the authority.

Note: these documents should have clear photograph.

Can Indian Vehicles enter Nepal?

Yes, Indian registered vehicles including two wheelers can enter Nepal for a day without payment to nearest places of boarder registering Nepal side for a day pass (Chalan) with mentioning propose of visit.

How long Indian registered vehicle can stay in Nepal?

Indian Registered vehicles can stay Nepal up to 30 days in a calendar year.

If permit required for 2 days or more, they can get the permit by paying fees at the border.

Do Indian allowed to work in Nepal?

Many lakhs of Indians are currently working in Nepal. Government of Nepal has made it mandatory to obtain a work permit but it is yet to be practiced.

Can Indian Citizens start business in Nepal?

Yes, off course they can. Indian citizens are doing business in Nepal since years. It is easy to start business for Indians like Nepalese in Nepal.

I am an Indian Citizen; can I buy a house in Nepal?

Indian citizen can buy a property in Nepal if they are doing some business in Nepal.

Is Nepal a Hindu country?

Nepal is a secular country now but most of the Nepalese are practicing Hinduism. Buddhism is the second largest religious community in Nepal.

How to apply a tourist visa for Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Maldives National to enter Nepal?

Passport holders of Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Maldives can get Nepal visa on arrival in a free of cost.

Free of Cost? Are you serious?

Yes, all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) countries excluding Afghanistan can get Nepal visa on arrival in free of cost for first 30 days from their arrival. They are charged only if they extend visa after 30 days of their stay or if they come back again in one calendar year. And children below 10 years also get the free visa except US citizens.

SAARC passport holders, if arriving Nepal for some other propose than visiting, should go to Nepal embassy in their countries to obtain their respective visa. Here, I am writing this blog to assist to SAARC nationals, how they can get Nepal visa to visit Nepal in a simple way of understanding.

SAARC along with tourists of all other countries can stay 90 days from their arrival date. As mentioned above, SAARC citizens are exempted of visa fee for their first visit to stay up to 30 days in a single calendar year. If you are SAARC national and would like to visit Nepal please read below details to obtain your visa on arrival.

You can apply your visa in two ways, first- you can visit Embassy of Nepal in your country, or second- you can get tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Only international airport in Nepal as of now).

Among both visa processing options, I would like to suggest you to go for ‘on arrival’ option which is comparatively easy and quick process. There is no chance of rejection if you are not listed in a criminal record. In the peak tourist season you need to wait in a queue for few minutes more but still I would suggest to get the visa on arrival rather going embassy and getting visa since it requires you to submit few more documents.

 

How to apply a tourist visa for Filipino nationals to enter Nepal?

Are you a Filipino national and would like to visit Nepal? Are you worried about whether you’d get your visa on arrival or not?
Don’t worry; it’s a very easy and simple process to obtain a Nepal visa for Philippine passport holders.

On Arrival?
Yes, off course, on arrival!

I always advise Philippine passport holders to get an on-arrival visa to enter Nepal. Once they read my email, I am usually asked by the visitors from the Philippines, whether they really get an on-arrival visa to enter Nepal by such an easy process.

I know, most of them have a very bad experience trying to get a visa for so-called developed countries, where preparation of various documents for few months would not be sufficient for going through the annoying application process of embassies or consulates. But, to get a Nepal visa (especially a tourist visa) is a very easy process for Philippine passport holders.

What do you need, to apply for getting Nepal Tourist Visa on arrival?

  • Your passport (should have at least 6 months validity)
  • An arrival card (duly filled up your origin and destination details)
  • Visa application form (you can get it on arrival or fill through the internet through Department Of Immigration Nepal)
  • Visa Fee
  • Your round trip ticket
  • Details of accommodation in Nepal
  • Cash (ATM card/Credit Card)

I personally advise to carry round trip ticket, booked hotel info along with cash (ATM /Credit card) to show to the local immigration officer at the airport in the Philippines. As per some of the Filipino tourists, the local immigration officer asks for these documents to verify whether the travelers are capable to travel or not and to ensure that they are not going to be a victim of human trafficking.

How to apply a tourist visa to enter Nepal?

  • Fill up the arrival card

You can get the arrival card in the plane itself, before landing. You can fill the card while being seated in your seat to save your time. If you didn’t get the arrival card inside the plane by a cabin crew member, don’t worry! You will definitely get it in the arrival area, nearby the visa application form.

  • Fill up the visa application form

You have two options to fill the visa application form:

Online:
You can fill this online form 15 days before your travel date since this form will remain in the system only for 15 days. After 15 days it will automatically be deleted. By filling your personal information along with a photo (size: 1.5” x 1.5”) and specifying your accommodation in Nepal you are done. Just print and carry it with you. You have to present it at the immigration counter in Nepal airport.

On Arrival:
You can fill this form digitally on the arrival; it will just take 5 minutes. You will get assistance easily if required. Don’t forget to carry a digital photograph (size: 1.5” x 1.5”) in your removable device to upload your photograph for the application. Once done, print it and carry it with you. You have to present it at the immigration counter.

  • Make the Payment

You can make the payment at the counter. New revised rate of the tourist visa is as following:-

15 Day Visa

USD 30

30 Day Visa

USD 50

90 Day Visa

USD 125

Note: other popular currencies are accepted, converting them in USD/NPR based on that day’s exchange rate. I kindly advise everyone to bring USD on cash to do the job instantly.

  • Take a receipt and carry it with you. You have to present it at the immigration counter.
  • Get the visa from the immigration counter

Now, you are set to present all documents to show to the immigration officer. Present your passport, arrival card, visa application form and cash receipt to the immigration officer.

 

Welcome to Nepal. Please claim your baggage and exit accordingly, get ready to be welcomed by airport representative of Shepherd Holidays:)

 

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Bandhu Ghimire
Bandhu GhimireAug 29th 2024

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