Nepal visa on arrival is available to most nationalities — here's a step-by-step guide to entry requirements and permit fees.
Nepal offers visa-on-arrival (VOA) to nationals of most countries at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at several land border crossings. The process is straightforward and generally efficient, though queues can be long during peak season. To obtain your VOA, you will need a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity, one passport-sized photograph, and payment of the visa fee in cash (USD, EUR, GBP, or other major currencies are accepted, as are major credit cards at the airport kiosks). Citizens of India, Bhutan, and the Maldives do not require a visa. Chinese citizens can also obtain a visa on arrival. A small number of nationalities — including citizens of some African and South Asian countries — are not eligible for VOA and must apply at a Nepali embassy before travelling.
Visa fees as of 2025 are: 15-day single entry USD 30, 30-day multiple entry USD 50, and 90-day multiple entry USD 125. Extensions can be obtained from the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) and Pokhara. In addition to the standard visa, trekkers need to obtain a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card, available from the Nepal Tourism Board or trekking agencies, as well as the relevant national park or conservation area permit for their chosen route. These permits are typically purchased in Kathmandu, Pokhara, or at entry checkpoints — your guide or trekking agency will advise on exactly what is required.
A few practical tips: fill in the arrival card on the plane using black ink, have your photo and payment ready before you reach the visa counter, and take a photo of your visa stamp as a backup. If you plan to re-enter Nepal during a longer trip — for example, trekking in the Khumbu, then visiting India, then returning for the Annapurna Circuit — make sure you purchase a multiple-entry visa. Overstaying your visa incurs a fine of USD 3 per day, payable on departure. For the most current information, always check the official Nepal Tourism Board website or contact the nearest Nepali embassy before your trip, as fees and regulations can change.
