Nepal
Nepal visa guide
- 10 visa types
- checked 24 October 2026
How visas for Nepal work
Nepal's visas are issued by the Department of Immigration (DoI) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, working from its office at Kalikasthan in Kathmandu and ten entry and exit points, the largest being Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Indian citizens need no visa. Almost every other visitor uses a Tourist Visa, which can be obtained on arrival, applied for in advance as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on the NepaliPort portal, or requested from a Nepalese diplomatic mission.
The Tourist Visa is sold for 15, 30 or 90 days at USD 30, USD 50 and USD 125, all with multiple entry, and can be extended inside Nepal at USD 3 a day up to 150 days in one visa year, counted from 1 January to 31 December. Citizens of twelve countries, among them Nigeria, Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan, cannot receive a visa on arrival and must apply through a mission beforehand.
Every other purpose falls under a Non-Tourist Visa issued only in Kathmandu after a recommendation from the competent Nepali authority: Working and Press visas, Relation and Marriage visas, the Study Visa, the Business Visa for foreign investors, the NRN visa for Non-Resident Nepalis and the Residential Visa for retirees, investors and persons of international repute. Non-tourist visas are charged per month or per year, and single or multiple re-entry costs an extra USD 20 or USD 60.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, trekking or a family visit: Tourist Visa for 15, 30 or 90 days, taken on arrival or as an ETA before travel, extendable to 150 days a year. Changing planes or a stop of less than 24 hours: Transit Visa at USD 5.
Job with a Nepali employer, NGO or project: Working Visa after the line ministry's recommendation, the Department of Labour permit and the Home Ministry's work agreement. Degree, course or research: Study Visa with a Ministry of Education recommendation. Investment in a registered company: Business Visa. Married to a Nepali: Marriage Visa; other close relatives: Relation Visa. Living in Nepal without working, from age 60 or after retirement, or after investing at least USD 100,000: Residential Visa.
Visa types for Nepal
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Tourist Visa (15, 30 or 90 days, multiple entry)
Nepal's Tourist Visa is issued for 15, 30 or 90 days at USD 30, USD 50 or USD 125, always with multiple entry, and is the visa for holidays, trekking, pilgrimage and short family visits.
Maximum stay: 15, 30 or 90 days from entry; up to 150 days in total per visa year (1 January to 31 December) with extensions - Transit visa Transit Visa (up to 24 hours)
A foreigner passing through Nepal can obtain a Transit Visa at Tribhuvan International Airport to enter the country for up to 24 hours.
Maximum stay: 24 hours
Business and self-employment
- Investor visa Business Visa (for foreign investors and businesspersons)
Nepal's Business Visa is not a short business-trip visa: it is a non-tourist visa for foreigners who have invested in or run a business in Nepal under foreign investment approval.
Maximum stay: From one month up to one year, or five years at a time
Study and training
- Student visa Study Visa (study, research and teaching)
Nepal's Study Visa is for foreigners enrolled in academic or non-academic programmes, for researchers and for teachers or professors in academic work.
Maximum stay: Up to one year at a time, according to the recommendation or course length; renewable
Work
- Work visa Non-Tourist Visa: Working Visa (and Press Visa)
Only foreigners holding a Working Visa may take a job in Nepal.
Maximum stay: Issued for the period recommended by the line agency; renewed in Nepal
Family
- Spouse and partner visa Non-Tourist Visa: Marriage Visa (foreign spouse of a Nepali citizen)
A foreigner married to a Nepali citizen can obtain a Marriage Visa from the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
Maximum stay: First visa up to six months; afterwards up to one year at a time - Family reunification visa Non-Tourist Visa: Relation Visa (relatives of Nepali citizens)
The Relation Visa is the non-tourist visa for foreigners directly related to a Nepali citizen, and for relatives of foreigners married to a Nepali.
Maximum stay: Up to one year at a time
Residence
- Residence permit Residential Visa (retirees, investors and persons of international repute)
The Residential Visa lets certain foreigners live in Nepal long term.
Maximum stay: Issued and renewed per year
Online travel permits
- Visa on arrival Tourist Visa on Arrival (Tribhuvan International Airport and land entry points)
Most nationalities can obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at the designated land entry points.
Maximum stay: 15, 30 or 90 days, extendable to 150 days per calendar year - e-Visa Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) / eVisa and mission visa
Nepal's Department of Immigration lets travellers apply for the Tourist Visa before departure as an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), also called the eVisa, on the NepaliPort portal.
Maximum stay: 15, 30 or 90 days from entry, extendable to 150 days per calendar year
Frequently asked questions
Which nationalities cannot get a visa on arrival in Nepal?
Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria must obtain the Tourist Visa before travel through a Nepalese embassy or the online mission portal. Most other nationalities can get it at Tribhuvan International Airport or a land entry point, or apply online for an ETA before travelling.
How long can a tourist stay in Nepal?
Up to 150 days in one visa year, which runs from 1 January to 31 December. The first visa covers 15, 30 or 90 days, and the rest is added through extensions at Department of Immigration offices.
Can I work in Nepal on a tourist visa?
No. The Department of Immigration states that only holders of a Working Visa may accept employment. You may stay on a Tourist Visa while your work papers are processed; it is cancelled when the Working Visa is approved.
Do children pay for a Nepal visa?
Children under 10 receive a free tourist visa for up to 30 days, except US citizens. The normal fee applies to a 90-day visa, and the online form must still be completed.
Do I need a special permit for trekking?
Restricted areas require a trekking permit, which is issued only through a registered Nepali trekking agency; solo trekking in those areas is not allowed. Carry your passport and permit throughout the trek and stay on the route named in it.
What happens if I overstay my Nepal visa?
The Department of Immigration charges a late fine of USD 5 per day on top of the extension fee. Extend before your visa expires at the Department in Kathmandu or the Immigration Office in Pokhara.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.