Travel guide · Nepal
Nepal Tourist Visa Types & Durations
Nepal's 15, 30 and 90-day multiple-entry tourist visas explained, with how to choose the right one and the 150-day cap.
Nepal keeps tourist visas simple: there are three durations — 15, 30 and 90 days — and all are multiple-entry. There is no single-entry tourist option, so once you hold a visa you can leave for India, Bhutan or Tibet and return freely within its validity. Total tourist stay is capped at 150 days per calendar year. As always, confirm current rules with Nepal's Department of Immigration before you travel.
The three tourist visa durations
| Visa | Validity | Entries | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-day | 15 days | Multiple | Short cultural trips, a single quick trek |
| 30-day | 30 days | Multiple | A standard holiday plus one major trek |
| 90-day | 90 days | Multiple | Long stays, multiple treks, slow travel |
For the approximate costs of each, see our Nepal visa fees 2026 breakdown.
How to choose the right duration
The most common mistake is under-buying and then paying to extend. Match the visa to a realistic itinerary:
- 15 days suits the Kathmandu Valley plus a short trek like Poon Hill or a Chitwan safari.
- 30 days comfortably covers the valley, a classic trek such as Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp, and a few buffer days.
- 90 days fits multiple treks, volunteering, or a relaxed pace. Use our how many days in Nepal guide to estimate honestly, allowing for weather delays and rest days.
Multiple entry and side trips
Because every tourist visa is multiple-entry, you can build in side trips — a few days in India, a Bhutan add-on, or a Tibet overland leg — and return to Nepal on the same visa. Just make sure you re-enter before the visa expires.
Extensions and the 150-day rule
If your plans grow, you can extend your tourist visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Extensions start at a 15-day minimum with a daily fee and count toward the hard limit of 150 days of tourist stay per calendar year — across all visas and extensions combined. If you already expect to stay six weeks or more, buying a 90-day visa upfront is usually cheaper than extending twice.
Beyond the tourist visa
Other categories exist for business, study, research and longer-term residence, including a digital nomad visa pathway, but these are applied for separately and are not issued on arrival. For most visitors, one of the three tourist durations is all you need.
Getting your visa
You can get any of these durations on arrival or pre-apply through the online visa application. This guide is part of the Nepal entry and visa essentials collection; for the full overview, see the main Nepal visa guide. Rules and fees change periodically, so verify the current details officially before booking.
Frequently asked questions
What types of tourist visa does Nepal offer?+
Nepal offers three tourist visa durations: 15 days, 30 days and 90 days, all multiple-entry. There is no single-entry option for tourists, so you can leave and return freely within the validity. Longer or different visa categories exist for business, study and other purposes.
How long can I stay in Nepal as a tourist?+
You can buy up to 90 days at once and extend at the Department of Immigration, but total tourist stay cannot exceed 150 days within a single calendar year, across all visas and extensions combined.
Is the Nepal tourist visa single or multiple entry?+
All three tourist visa durations are multiple-entry, so you can make side trips to India, Bhutan or Tibet and return without buying a new visa, as long as you stay within your visa's validity.
Can I change my Nepal visa duration after arrival?+
You cannot shorten a visa for a refund, but you can extend it. Extensions run from a 15-day minimum with a daily fee, up to the 150-day annual maximum. If you expect a long stay, buying 90 days upfront is usually cheaper.
