How to Get a Nepal Visa? A Step-by-Step Guide for all Visitors

Types of Nepal Visas For Visitors and How To Get

Nepal offers visas to tourists or visitors in several categories. Besides tourist visas, non-tourist visas are also popular for research, employment, and other purposes. Business visa, student visa, transit visa, diplomat visa, dependent visa, and more are in practice. Here are some major types of visas you must know to proceed.

Tourist Visa to Nepal

This is the most casual type of visa for tourists who want to enjoy their leisure time in Nepal. With this visa, you can easily have access to stunning views of the cultural, historical, religious, and natural aspects of Nepal. If your sole purpose is to enjoy your vacation in Nepal, you should try for this visa.

You can either make a visa valid for 15 days, 30 days, or 90 days, depending on your desire. You also have an option to extend the visas for 150 days within the same calendar year. For that, you need to contact the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara. This requires a minimum charge and easy steps.

Business Visa for Nepal

This is another visa option for those visitors who want to get involved in some business activities in Nepal. This suits perfectly those who want business, investments, or employment in Nepal. Normally, this type of visa has 1 1-year or 5-year validity. You can get this either on arrival, online, or throughthe embassy.

Transit Visa in Nepal

A Transit Visa is for those visitors who travel to another country through Nepal. Such a visa is valid only for 24 hours. You can get this visa by spending a few dollars.

Interestingly, you can enjoy a short visit to a city while you are in transit. You will have a wonderful opportunity to explore Kathmandu city, which is rich in culture, history, and monuments. Within a few hours, you can witness the amazing Pashupati Nath Temple, Swyambhu Nath Stupa, Basantapur Durbar Square, and Thamel Bazaar.

If you want to spend more than 24 hours in Nepal, then you can apply for a tourist visa. This allows you to spend more days exploring the nearby places.

Student Visa for Nepal

Talking about the Student Visa Nepal, this is also becoming a popular choice for students around the world. For this, you need to secure an admission letter from a recognized university or institution in Nepal. Then, fill out the application form provided by the Department of Immigration or the Nepali Embassy.

Then submit your application along with a valid passport, admission letter, visa application form, passport-sized photos, bank statement, visa fee receipt, and educational transcript. With these documents, you have to pay the visa fee and then wait for the approval.

Diplomatic Visa

A Diplomatic Visa is provided to people on diplomatic missions. You can get this visa through the Nepali Embassy in your country or consulate. To get this visa, your government or organization must request the form. After the permission is granted, you need to submit an application to the Nepali Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

After the verification from Nepal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your visa will be issued through the diplomatic channel. Talking about the documents, you just need an official note, a passport, and a recent passport-sized photo.

Dependent Visa

If you are a dependent of foreign nationals working, studying, or residing in Nepal, you can apply dependent visa. You just have to submit the visa application to the Department of Immigration in Nepal. Along with the form, you should submit the sponsor’s document and proof of relationship (such as a marriage certificate). Similarly, a valid passport copy of the dependent, a recent passport-sized photo, and a recommendation letter are required.

Once your documents and applications get verified, you will receive the dependent visa for Nepal. You can visit the Department of Immigration, Nepal, if any issue occurs during the process.

Missionary Visa

Missionary Visa is actually for those foreign nationals who are involved in religious or charitable activities through registered organizations. To apply for this visa, a registered organization must sponsor you in Nepal. After that, you must submit an application to the Department of Immigration Nepal with other documents.

The documents involve the recommendation from the Ministry of Home Affairs, a copy of a valid passport, a recent passport-sized photo, and proof of missionary work. After the approval of your form and documents, you will receive a missionary visa for Nepal.

How to Get a Nepal Visa?

If you are thinking about applying for a Nepal Visa, then you have several options to do that.

Visa on Arrival

This is a common and most popular form of Nepal visa, as visitors prefer a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. This is also applicable to land border crossing.

For this, you need to fill out the arrival card and visa application form at the airport. Then, you can proceed to pay the visa fee at the counter. For that, USD cash is preferred. Now, you can kindly submit your passport, application form, and receipt to immigration officers.

Then, you will get your visa for hassle-free entry into Nepal. Aren’t these simple and easy steps to get a Nepal visa? With the right guidance, you will receive the visa in a short time with a smooth process.

Further, you will need some documents to make the process smoother and quicker. You need to have a valid passport. It should have at least 6 months' validity. You need to submit a recent passport-sized photo and sufficient funds to cover your stay in Nepal.

Normally, the onward or return ticket is recommended for visitors, but you don’t always require that. So, plan that as per your requirement.

 A visa from a Nepalese Embassy or Consulate

In case you want your visa in advance, you can simply apply at a Nepalese embassy or consulate in your country. This is a simple yet effective method to get your visa in advance.

For that, you can download and complete the visa application form from the embassy’s website. Then, kindly attach a passport-sized photo and a copy of your passport. Now, you can proceed with the payment (visa fee) as per the embassy's instructions.

Again, you can proceed to submit the application and wait for processing. This normally takes 3–5 business days.

E-Visa (Online Application)

If you are concerned about how to apply for a Nepal visa online, you can kindly get it done in a few simple steps. An E-Visa is the best option if you don’t have time for a physical appearance at the embassy. This is an advanced move that makes the visa process easy for travelers.

Nepal has well well-managed online application system, or E-Visa, that you can obtain in a few simple steps. First of all, you need to visit the official Department of Immigration website. Then, you can fill out the application form and take out the print of confirmation slip. That’s it, the process is so simple.

When you arrive in Nepal, you just have to present that slip and pay the required amount (visa fee) at the immigration desk. Then you will get a Nepal visa to travel freely till its validity.

What Do You Know About Nepal Visa Extensions and Renewals?

Sometimes you may have to extend your visa for extra holidays or work purposes. In such a case, you can extend your stay in Nepal just by visiting the Department of Immigration. You can find this office in both Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Normally, the extension fees are:

• USD 45 for the first 15 days
• USD 3 per day after 15 days
•  USD 5 per day if overstayed without an extension

Visa Rules

Gratis Visa: Nepal provides a gratis visa to its visitors, which is a great relief for many travelers. If you are a citizen from SAARC countries (except Afghanistan), you can get a free visa for 30 days. Similarly, Nepal provides a free visa for children under 10 years for up to 30 days.

Restricted Areas Permit: Even though you have a visa to travel to Nepal, you need to follow certain rules and regulations for safe travel. The areas, such as Upper Mustang and Dolpa, require special permits. Along with the permission, you also need to hire a local tourist guide.

Overstaying Penalty: Travelers exceeding their visa duration without renewal may face fines. Even deportation, or bans on future visits. To avoid this, you should renew the visa validity within a certain time. The renewal fee is very less and the process is quite simple.

Multiple Entries: Do you know all tourist visas in Nepal are multiple-entry? This allows visitors to leave and re-enter Nepal within the visa period.

Tips for an Easy Process

You should consider some of the tips to make your visa process easy and smooth.

Carry Sufficient Cash: For a smooth and quick process, it is better to carry sufficient cash in hand. Normally, visa fees are paid in USD, so cash makes it fast and smooth. Also, ATMs at the airport may not always be in working condition.

Fill Out Forms in Advance: If possible, you can complete online applications in advance. This strategy helps to save time at the airport. Saving a little time can be beneficial for sightseeing later.

Check Visa Requirements by Nationality: Nepal has separate visa policies applicable for various nations. Similarly, some countries may have different visa rules, so always verify the rules and requirements before traveling.

Keep Extra Passport Photos: You may have to go through some additional documentation and paperwork while dealing with the visa process and renewals. Such activity may require extra passport-sized photos. So, always carry extra passport-size photos for visa extensions or permits.

Respect Visa Regulations: Just like any other country, Nepal also has strict rules and regulations regarding visas. You should kindly follow the rules to avoid fines or legal issues.

Overall, the Nepal visa process is quite simple and quick to practice. No matter whether you want to explore the sites, business activities, or any other things to do in Nepal, your visa process is an easy go through in Nepal. There are no hard and fast rules besides the demand for original documents.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nepal Visa

How long does it take to Get A Nepal Visa?

To get a Nepal Visa on arrival at the Airport, it takes somewhere between 30 minutes to an hour. If you have applied to a Nepali Embassy or consulate, it may take several business days.

How To Get a Nepal Visa From USA?

For US citizens, getting a Nepali visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport is quite easy. You will get a visa within an hour. You can get 15 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day visa normally. You just need to fill out an arrival card and an online tourist visa form. Then, pay the visa fee and show your valid passport.

How To Apply For A Nepal Visa?

You can apply for a Nepal Visa on your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. You just have to fill out the arrival card and the online tourist visa form. Within an hour, you will get a Nepal visa. Similarly, you can also apply for this visa through a Nepali Embassy or consulate, which takes several business days. You also have an option to apply Nepali visa online through an official website.

What should I do if I overstay in Nepal by one day due to unforeseen circumstances?

If you overstay in Nepal by one day due to unforeseen circumstances, then you should visit the office of Immigration in Kathmandu. They make you pay fine of $5 per day for overstay. After that, you need to explain the reason for such circumstances and get exit clearance. This will help you to avoid issues while departure.

How long is the tourist visa valid for, and can I extend it?

A tourist visa for Nepal is actually issued for 15, 30, or 90 days. Interestingly, it is a multiple-entry visa that allows you to leave and re-enter within the validity period. You can extend it at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Further, you should now that the maximum stay from a tourist visa is 150 days in a calendar year.

Nepal Visa Fee

Nepal Visa fee varies based on the visa type, duration of stay, and nationality. Normally, you need to pay 30 USD for 15 days, 50 USD for 30 days, and 125 USD for 90 days. If you are concerned about the Nepal Visa cost, then you should visit the official website or the nearby department of foreign affairs and immigration. Nepal provides a free visa for 30 days to nationals of many countries.