Nepal Entry & Visa Essentials

Entering Nepal is straightforward for most travellers, but a little preparation saves time at the border and money over a longer trip. The essentials: carry a passport valid for at least six months, get a tourist visa (on arrival for most nationalities, or online beforehand), bring a passport photo and the fee in cash, and know the 150-day annual limit on tourist stays. This collection breaks every piece of that down into focused, answer-first guides — and as always, treat fees and rules as indicative and confirm current details with Nepal's Department of Immigration before you fly.

Before you fly: documents and passport rules

Start with the full Nepal entry requirements checklist, which lists every document you need at the immigration desk, from your passport and photo to proof of funds and onward travel. The single most common reason travellers are turned away is an expired or near-expired passport, so read passport validity for Nepal to understand the practical six-month rule and how it is actually applied at Tribhuvan International Airport.

Worried about whether you'll be asked for an exit plan? Our guide on whether you need a return ticket for Nepal explains what immigration officers and airline check-in staff realistically expect, and how to cover yourself either way.

Choosing and paying for your visa

Most visitors choose between three durations. The guide to Nepal tourist visa types and durations compares the 15, 30 and 90-day multiple-entry options so you pick the right length the first time rather than paying to extend later. For current pricing, Nepal visa fees in 2026 lays out the approximate US-dollar costs for each tier with clear "confirm current" caveats.

When it comes to handing over the money, Nepal visa payment: cash or card explains why US dollars in cash remain the most reliable option, which other currencies are usually accepted, and how unreliable card machines can be at peak times.

Applying online and avoiding fines

You can speed up arrival by completing the form in advance — follow our step-by-step walkthrough of the Nepal online visa application, which mirrors the official Department of Immigration portal and the seven-day pre-application window. If your plans change once you're in the country, make sure you understand the Nepal visa overstay fine per day so a delayed flight or extra trek never becomes an expensive surprise at departure.

Finally, not everyone pays the same way: Nepal's visa-free and gratis countries covers India's full exemption, the gratis (free) tourist visa offered to certain nationalities such as children and citizens of SAARC neighbours, and who must instead apply in advance.

Plan the rest of your trip

With entry sorted, build out the rest of your trip. Our broader Nepal visa guide ties the on-arrival and online routes together, while the best time to visit Nepal helps you choose dates that match clear mountain views and settled weather. If your stay grows, see how to legally extend your tourist visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara.

Treat every figure here as a starting point. Nepal updates visa fees, eligibility lists and procedures from time to time, so the official Department of Immigration website is always the final word before you book and before you board.