Tribhuvan International Airport and Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) are Nepal's international airports. The Immigration Office at TIA, part of the Department of Immigration, offers Visa on Arrival for tourists. This process is quick and straightforward, though there might be queues during peak tourist seasons. To avoid waiting, you can also obtain a visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions abroad before arriving. The choice is yours.
If you secure a visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions, you must enter Nepal within six months of the issuance date. Your stay duration begins from your entry date into Nepal.
Visas obtained on arrival at entry and exit points are categorized as 'Tourist Visas' and come with multiple re-entry facilities. The 'Tourist Visa On Arrival' is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for purposes other than tourism (such as sightseeing, tours, travel, mountaineering, trekking, or visiting friends and family), you should still obtain a 'Tourist Visa' to enter the country. However, you must change the visa category according to your purpose and length of stay from the Department of Immigration by providing the required documents.
Nationals from the following countries must obtain a visa before arriving from their nearest Nepalese Diplomatic Mission (Embassies/Consulates):
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Zimbabwe
- Swaziland
- Cameroon
- Somalia
- Liberia
- Ethiopia
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Refugees with travel document
Procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the Airport (TIA) if you have not obtained a Visa before boarding the plane:
1st Step
- Fill in ' Arrival Card '
- Complete the Online 'Tourist Visa' form (available on the Department of Immigration's official website or via Kiosk machines at the airport). If filled out online, bring the submission receipt with the barcode. This form is valid for 15 days.
2nd Step
- Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement ( 15/30/90 Days)
- Get the receipt
While multiple payment modes are accepted at the visa fee collection counter, carrying some cash is advisable.
On Arrival Visa Fee at Entry Points
15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD
3rd Step
- Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts and your passport
- Hand over your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. The officer will issue your visa upon satisfaction.
Visa Extension Fee
- Minimum 15 days extension costs USD 45, with an additional USD 3 per day for extra days.
- For delays of less than 150 days, an additional USD 5 per day is charged as a late fee.
Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)
Gratis Visas are issued free of charge for the following categories:
- Children below 10 years (except US citizens)
- Up to 30 days for SAARC citizens (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa year. Afghan citizens are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon recommendation from the Department of Immigration. Afghan citizens should request the inviting institution to handle the necessary paperwork with the Department of Immigration.
- Non-Residential Nepalese (NRN) cardholders (issued by MoFA/Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
- Chinese Nationals
Officials from China, Brazil, Russia and Thailand do not need Entry Visa based on reciprocal visa waiver Agreement
All visas, including 'Gratis' issued at the airport, are Tourist Visas. For visa extensions or category changes, contact the Department of Immigration. Tourist Visa extensions can also be done at the Immigration Office in Pokhara. Non-tourist visa extensions are only possible at the Department of Immigration (if eligible) for up to one year (except for business visas).