Travel guide · Nepal
Nepal Visa Rules by Nationality
Visa-free, visa on arrival or gratis — Nepal's entry rules differ by passport. Find your nationality's rules at a glance.
Nepal welcomes almost every traveller with one of the world's simpler entry systems, but the exact rules depend on your passport. This cluster breaks Nepal's tourist visa policy down nationality by nationality so you know before you fly whether you get visa-free entry, a visa on arrival, or a gratis (free) visa.
The short answer
There are three broad tiers. Indian citizens need no visa at all and can live, work and travel freely. SAARC nationals (Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, plus Afghanistan) receive a free 30-day gratis visa for their first visit each year. Everyone else on the eligible list — including American, British, Australian, Canadian and German travellers — gets a standard tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport or major land crossings, choosing 15, 30 or 90 days for roughly US$30, US$50 or US$125. A small number of nationalities are excluded from visa on arrival and must apply in advance at a Nepali mission. Rules change, so always confirm before travel.
Find your nationality
Pick your passport for the precise fees, validity and any quirks:
- Nepal visa for Indian citizens — no visa required, open border, ID rules and what to carry.
- Nepal visa for US citizens — visa on arrival, fees by duration and online pre-application.
- Nepal visa for UK citizens — visa on arrival for British passport holders, with photo and payment tips.
- Nepal visa for Australian citizens — on-arrival process, durations and extension limits.
- Nepal visa for Chinese citizens — on-arrival eligibility, group-travel notes and Tibet-route considerations.
- Nepal visa for Canadian citizens — fees, validity and what Canadians need at immigration.
- Nepal visa for German citizens — Schengen-passport on-arrival rules and online forms.
- Nepal visa for SAARC citizens — the free 30-day gratis visa and who qualifies.
How the visa works in practice
Whatever your nationality, the mechanics are the same. You can complete the online application on the Department of Immigration website in the seven days before you travel, then simply pay on arrival, or fill in the form at a self-service kiosk in the arrivals hall. You will need a passport valid for at least six months, a recent passport photo and the fee in cash, with US dollars the easiest currency to carry.
For the full picture of routes, durations and exemptions, read our master Nepal visa guide, and if you arrive through the capital see the step-by-step Nepal visa on arrival walkthrough. Planning to stay longer than your original visa? Our guide to the Nepal visa extension process covers the daily fees and the 150-day annual cap.
A note on accuracy
Visa fees, durations and eligibility lists are set by the Government of Nepal and reviewed from time to time, and gratis arrangements rest on bilateral or regional agreements. The country guides here reflect the established 2026 framework, but they are a starting point, not a substitute for official confirmation. Once your paperwork is sorted, map out the trip itself with our suggested Nepal itineraries.
Our top picks
Nepal Visa for Indian Citizens
Nepal Visa for US Citizens
Nepal Visa for UK Citizens
Nepal Visa for Australian Citizens
Nepal Visa for Chinese Citizens
Nepal Visa for Canadian Citizens
Nepal Visa for German Citizens
Nepal Visa for SAARC Citizens
Frequently asked questions
Which nationalities can get a Nepal visa on arrival?+
The large majority of nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and at major land borders, including US, UK, Australian, Canadian and German passport holders. A short list of countries is not eligible for visa on arrival and must apply at a Nepali diplomatic mission in advance, so confirm your own status before booking.
Who can enter Nepal without a visa?+
Indian citizens can enter and stay in Nepal without any visa under the long-standing open-border arrangement. Citizens of the other SAARC countries are entitled to a free (gratis) 30-day tourist visa, which is still issued at immigration but carries no fee for a first visit in the year.
How much is a Nepal tourist visa for most nationalities?+
For most visa-on-arrival nationalities the standard fees are roughly US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90 days, all multiple-entry. Treat these as indicative and confirm current rates with the Nepal Department of Immigration before you travel.
Do the rules change often?+
Fees and eligibility lists are reviewed periodically by the Government of Nepal, and gratis or no-visa arrangements are political agreements that can shift. Always reconfirm with the Department of Immigration or your nearest Nepali embassy in the weeks before you fly.