January 3, 2026
- Updated title to focus on 2026 and emphasize on-arrival and online tourist visa options
- Confirmed visa fees remain $30 (15d), $50 (30d), $125 (90d) and noted July 17, 2019 as last major fee change
- Added specific 2026-processing details: issuance points (Kathmandu, Pokhara, major land crossings) and multiple-entry status
- Included new fee/payment guidance: cash in major currencies (USD/EUR/GBP), officers often refuse NPR/INR, carry exact change
- Expanded extension rules and fees: minimum extension $45, $3/day additional, $5/day overstay fine, +$25 to retain multiple-entry, 150-day annual cap
- Added new 2025 tourism statistic (1.5M arrivals) and advised pre-registration timing (complete 10 days ahead; 15–30 minutes to register)
(NEPAL) Nepal keeps one of Asia’s easiest entry systems in 2026, and most travelers can get a multiple-entry Tourist visa on arrival or by online pre-registration, with fees still set at $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), or $125 (90 days). The rules matter because the tourist visa is also the usual first step for people who later switch into other visa types, like study or work, after they arrive.
Where and how visas are issued
Nepal issues visas at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu), Pokhara, and at major land crossings. You can also pre-fill the arrival form online to shorten the line. The Department of Immigration posts the official instructions and portal access on its Nepal Department of Immigration website, which is the safest place to check for any alerts before you fly.
As of 2026, the last major fee adjustment remains the July 17, 2019 hike, and travelers still pay in cash in major currencies, with USD the most common. Immigration officers normally refuse Nepali rupees and Indian currency at the payment counter, so carrying exact notes saves time and stress.
Choosing among Nepal’s visa types
The Tourist visa covers sightseeing, trekking, festivals, and visiting family, and it is the default entry status for most visitors from more than 150 nationalities. Nepal also issues:
- Business visa: for investors and traders, with fees that scale by investment and time.
- Study visa: for degree or non-degree study, issued after education approval and enrollment proof.
- Work / Non-tourist visa: for employment or project work, issued with a contract and ministry approval.
- Residence visa: for retirees aged 60+, spouses of Nepalis, or large investors, with stricter document checks.
- Relation, NRN, official, and transit visas: for family links, diaspora cardholders, government travel, or short layovers.
Special notes:
– SAARC nationals receive a free 30-day visa (except Afghan citizens, who pay the standard fee).
– Children under 10 receive a free visa when traveling with a parent.
Tourist visa journey for 2026 — four-step process
- Pick your stay length before you travel. Most trekkers choose 30 or 90 days, while short city visits often fit 15 days.
- Choose your application channel. Options: apply on arrival, complete online pre-registration and pay on arrival, or apply through an embassy/consulate.
- Arrive with the required basics. Bring a passport valid for 6+ months, at least 2 blank pages, and one passport photo with a light background.
- Pay the fee and collect the visa sticker. After payment, the officer places a visa sticker in your passport and stamps your entry; the visa allows multiple entries.
On-arrival processing is the most common route and works at Tribhuvan International Airport and key land borders. Queue times rise during peak trekking months — especially October to December and March to May — so pre-registration helps when flights land in clusters.
Online pre-registration lets you submit details in advance, receive a barcode confirmation, and then finish visa issuance at the airport or border by paying the fee. Travelers often complete it 10 days ahead, and the confirmation stays usable for up to 90 days.
When an embassy or consulate visa helps
If you prefer the visa stamped before departure, Nepali embassies and consulates accept applications with:
- Your passport
- Photo
- Supporting travel documents (hotel booking or sponsor letter)
Some missions also ask for proof of legal stay in the country where you apply (e.g., a U.S. visa or green card copy). Embassies charge the same visa fee plus a service charge.
A transit visa costs $5 for a 24-hour layover, but most connecting passengers don’t need it if they remain airside. If you plan a stopover to see Kathmandu, treat it like a short Tourist trip and pay the standard fee. At the counter, officers check that your passport has two blank pages and a clear entry stamp. Keep your receipt until you leave Nepal — it speeds up checks if your dates are questioned.
Fees, payments, and what officers expect
Tourist visa fees are straightforward and always charged for multiple entry:
| Visa length | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 15 days | $30 |
| 30 days | $50 |
| 90 days | $125 |
- Payment is typically cash in major foreign currencies (USD, EUR, GBP).
- Travelers report smoother service when carrying exact change.
- Immigration officers normally refuse Nepali rupees and Indian currency at the payment counter.
Extending a Tourist stay
To extend, file at immigration offices in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) or Pokhara before your current visa expires.
| Action | Fee |
|---|---|
| Minimum extension (15 days) | $45 |
| Additional days | $3 per day |
| Late fine for overstays | $5 per day |
| To retain multiple-entry privileges on extension | +$25 |
Additional rules:
– Nepal caps tourist stays at 150 days per calendar year.
– Apply for an extension about seven days before expiry.
– Offices close for national holidays (including major festival periods like Dashain).
Warning: Overstays result in fines and can complicate future entries and departures.
Treks, restricted areas, and permits
A visa is not the only paper a trekker needs. Nepal requires separate trekking permits in restricted areas, and the guide-and-agency system is enforced in places like Upper Mustang, where the permit costs $500 for the first 10 days plus $50 per extra day.
Health entry rules remain light in 2026:
– No COVID vaccination proof is required in current guidance, but airlines or immigration may still ask for basic hotel details.
– Travelers arriving from yellow fever risk areas should carry a yellow fever certificate.
Switching from Tourist to longer-stay status
Visitors who accept a job, start a degree, or invest typically convert status at the Department of Immigration after entry. The process uses an online portal plus in-person biometrics, and approvals are often reported within 2 to 7 days.
Requirements vary by visa type:
– Business visas: government recommendations and company paperwork.
– Study visas: ministry approval and an enrollment letter.
– Work visas: contract and ministry approval.
– Residence routes: retirees aged 60+ may need to show $20,000 yearly income; family-based routes require proof of relationship.
Tourism numbers help explain the push for faster front-end checks: arrivals reached 1.5M in 2025, up from 1M pre-COVID, and officials urge travelers to use pre-registration to keep arrivals moving (VisaVerge.com 2026 mobility analysis).
Practical checklist with realistic timing
Plan for the visa as you plan your flight. Many travelers complete online pre-registration in 15 to 30 minutes, then budget extra time at the airport for queues and payment.
Essentials to carry:
– Passport valid 6+ months, with 2 blank pages
– 1 passport photo (carry a spare)
– Cash for the exact visa fee in USD or another accepted currency
– Printed or saved pre-registration confirmation, if used
– Trekking permits or agency papers, if heading to restricted regions
– Digital copies of your passport and travel plans
Key takeaway: Nepal’s system is simple if you follow the order — pick your Tourist stay length, prepare the basic documents, and keep cash ready. Common mistakes include arriving without a photo, overstaying past the expiry date, or forgetting the 150-day per calendar year tourist cap.
Nepal’s 2026 visa policy focuses on ease of access through a robust on-arrival and online pre-registration system. Most travelers can secure multiple-entry Tourist visas at Kathmandu or land borders by providing a valid passport, photo, and cash payment in USD. The system also facilitates transitions to work or study visas. Visitors are reminded of the 150-day annual cap and the necessity of additional permits for high-altitude trekking.
