Travel guide · Nepal
Nepal Entry Requirements & Documents
The full documents checklist for entering Nepal in 2026 — passport, visa, photo, fee, funds and onward travel.
To enter Nepal you need a passport valid for at least six months, a tourist visa (available on arrival for most nationalities or applied for online beforehand), a passport-sized photo and the visa fee in cash. It is wise to also carry proof of onward travel and access to sufficient funds. Indian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement entirely. As with all border rules, treat the details below as a guide and confirm the current requirements with Nepal's Department of Immigration before you travel.
The core documents checklist
Arrive at the immigration desk with the following ready:
- Passport — valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with a blank page for the visa stamp.
- Tourist visa — obtained on arrival, applied for online in advance, or issued at a Nepali embassy if your nationality is not eligible for visa on arrival.
- Passport-sized photo — one or two recent prints; kiosks can sometimes take one, but machines fail, so bring a spare.
- Visa fee in cash — US dollars are simplest and most reliable.
- Onward or return travel and proof of funds — rarely checked, but worth having accessible.
For the detail behind the passport rule, read passport validity for Nepal; for whether you'll actually be asked about leaving, see do you need a return ticket for Nepal.
Visa on arrival vs applying ahead
Most nationalities get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport or major land borders. You can also complete the form on the official portal beforehand — our step-by-step Nepal online visa application guide walks through it. Either route ends at the same payment counter and immigration desk. A short list of countries is not eligible for visa on arrival and must apply at a Nepali diplomatic mission in advance; check the visa-free and gratis countries guide to find your status.
Choosing your visa and paying
Decide your duration before you land — the tourist visa types and durations guide compares 15, 30 and 90-day options, and current pricing is in our Nepal visa fees 2026 breakdown. Bring the fee in cash; see visa payment: cash or card for why dollars are safest.
Health and special cases
Nepal does not require routine vaccinations for most travellers, but a yellow fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. Children, certain SAARC nationals and a few other categories may receive a free (gratis) visa.
Before you book
This checklist sits within the wider Nepal entry and visa essentials collection and the overview Nepal visa guide. Plan your dates with the best time to visit Nepal, and always verify the current requirements with the Department of Immigration, as fees and eligibility lists change from time to time.
Frequently asked questions
What documents do I need to enter Nepal?+
A passport valid for at least six months, a tourist visa (on arrival for most nationalities or applied for online), a passport-sized photo and the visa fee in cash. Carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds in case you are asked. Indian citizens do not need a visa. Confirm current rules with the Department of Immigration before you travel.
Do I need a printed photo for the Nepal visa?+
It helps to bring one or two recent passport-sized photos. The arrivals hall kiosks at Kathmandu airport can sometimes capture a photo, but machines are not always working, so a printed spare avoids delays.
Do I need proof of funds or an onward ticket?+
These are rarely checked for short tourist visits, but immigration can request evidence of sufficient funds and onward or return travel. Having a booking and access to funds on your phone covers you without any fuss.
Are there health or vaccination requirements for Nepal?+
Nepal does not require routine vaccinations for most arrivals, though a yellow fever certificate is needed if you are arriving from a country where the disease is present. Check current health advice before you fly.
