A Nepal tourist visa costs USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days and USD 125 for 90 days. Most trekkers need the 30-day visa. You can get it online before you fly through the Department of Immigration's eVisa system, or on arrival at Kathmandu airport. Your passport must have at least 6 months of validity, Indian citizens need no visa, and you can stay up to 150 days in a calendar year.
Which Nepal visa does a trekker need?
A trekker needs a tourist visa, which is the standard entry visa for foreign visitors. It does not replace your trekking permits, so you need both. Our Nepal trekking permits guide covers the permit side.
These are the current fees from the Department of Immigration. Your days count from the day you enter Nepal, and the Nepal Tourism Board lists all three visas as multiple entry.
| Visa | Fee | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | USD 30 | The 5-day Poon Hill trek or an 8-day trek, if your dates are firm |
| 30 days | USD 50 | Most treks, from 10 to 21 days |
| 90 days | USD 125 | Several treks, or a long stay after trekking |
Count your whole trip, not only the walking days. Our Everest Base Camp trek takes 14 days, so a 15-day visa would leave one day for arrival, delays and your flight home. Lukla flights can stop for days in bad weather. Pay the extra USD 20 for 30 days.
What changed with the Nepal eVisa in 2026?
Nepal fully implemented its Electronic Travel Authorization system on 17 August 2026, according to the immigration law firm Fragomen. The system first appeared in February 2024. The Department of Immigration now describes this route as "ETA / eVisa" and calls it the fastest way for most travellers.
Visa on arrival has not ended. The Department's portal still lists it as a service, and Fragomen says getting an ETA before you travel is optional for nationalities that can get a visa on arrival. Many pages online still describe the old process, so check their date.
| eVisa (ETA) | Visa on arrival | |
|---|---|---|
| When | Before you fly | At the airport |
| Payment | Online by card, in USD | At the bank counter |
| Fee | Same | Same |
| Main benefit | Less to do on landing | No upload or online payment |
| Main risk | Fee is non-refundable | Queues in peak season |
How to apply for the eVisa
The Department of Immigration lists five steps on its eVisa page:
- Open the official portal at nepaliport-new.immigration.gov.np and choose a new application.
- Enter your personal details, passport information, travel dates and purpose of visit.
- Upload a scan of your passport, valid for at least 6 months, and a recent passport photo with a white background.
- Pay USD 30, 50 or 125 by card. You will get a Submission ID, so save it.
- Receive the approved visa by email, check your spam folder, then print it and carry it with you.
Fragomen describes the ETA as an authorisation that becomes a visa at the port of entry, while the Department's page calls the emailed document an approved eVisa. In practice, carry the printout and your passport, and expect immigration officers to check both.
Timing matters in one way. The Department says a visa must be used within 6 months of issue, and once issued, it cannot be withdrawn and the fee cannot be refunded. Do not apply until your dates are reasonably firm.
Use only the government portal. Its address ends in immigration.gov.np. Other sites may look official and charge a service fee on top of the visa fee, so check the address before you enter your card number.
How visa on arrival works at Kathmandu airport
The Department of Immigration sets out three steps for visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport:
- Fill in the arrival card and the online tourist visa form, either before you travel or on a kiosk at the airport. Print the barcode receipt if you use the website. It is valid for only 15 days, so do not do this too early.
- Pay your fee at the bank counter.
- Take your form, payment receipt and passport to the immigration desk.
Bring cash as a backup. The Department says several payment methods are accepted, but it still advises carrying some cash. The UK government also advises having cash as a backup, with US dollars preferred. The Nepal Tourism Board says convertible currency and international credit cards are accepted, and it warns of long queues in peak season.
Can you get a visa on arrival in Pokhara?
Official sources disagree, so do not plan on it. The Nepal Tourism Board lists Pokhara International Airport as a place to get a visa on arrival. The Department of Immigration FAQ says the Pokhara immigration office does not issue on-arrival visas, and it describes that office's work as visa extensions and restricted-area permits. If you are flying directly to Pokhara, get an eVisa before you fly or ask your airline and the Department first.
Who cannot get a visa on arrival?
Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria cannot get a visa on arrival, according to the Department of Immigration. They must apply in advance through a Nepalese embassy or the mission portal. The Nepal Tourism Board's list also includes Iran and refugees with travel documents. Nepal's embassy in Bangkok adds people holding temporary travel documents and emergency passports. If you are from any of these groups, contact your nearest Nepalese mission before you book flights.
Who gets a free Nepal visa?
| Traveller | Rule | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Indian citizens | No visa needed | Carry accepted ID. Aadhaar is not on the Tourism Board's accepted list for entry |
| Children under 10 | Free for up to 30 days | US citizens are excluded in most official lists |
| SAARC citizens | Free up to 30 days, once per visa year | Afghan citizens need a Department recommendation |
| Chinese citizens | Free tourist visa | The Department states up to 150 days per visa year |
| NRN card holders | Free | Card must be issued by the proper Nepali authority |
Free visas still involve paperwork. The Department says these applicants must still complete the online application, but no fee is charged.
The rule for American children is a real conflict. The Department's eVisa page, the Nepal Tourism Board and the embassy in Bangkok all exclude US citizens from the free visa for children. The Department's FAQ and visa information page say only that children under 10 are free. Families with US passports should budget for the fee. Our guide to easy treks in Nepal can help if you are planning a low-altitude family trip.
How do you extend a tourist visa in Nepal?
Extensions cost USD 3 a day, with a minimum of 15 days, so the smallest extension costs USD 45. The Department of Immigration handles them at its Kalikasthan office in Kathmandu and at the Pokhara immigration office. Bring your passport and a recent passport photo. The online portal also lists visa extension as a service.
The limit is 150 days in one visa year, which runs from January to December. A 90-day visa plus 60 days of extension reaches that limit.
Doing the sums helps you choose. A 30-day visa plus a 15-day extension costs USD 95 for 45 days, so it beats a 90-day visa at USD 125 if you are only staying a little longer. Going from 15 days to 30 days with an extension costs USD 75, compared with USD 50 for buying 30 days at the start.
What happens if you overstay?
Overstaying costs USD 5 a day as a late fine, on top of the extension fee, according to the Department of Immigration. The UK Foreign Office warns that overstaying is a serious crime that can lead to significant fines or imprisonment. Extend before your visa ends, not after. If a flight delay in the mountains could push you past your date, tell your agency early so that you have time to act.
What else do trekkers need at the border?
Three things can catch trekkers out on arrival.
- Passport validity. The Department says your passport must be valid for at least 6 months before the date of travel. Check it now, because renewal can take weeks.
- Proof of insurance and lodging. The UK Foreign Office says you may have to show travel insurance covering healthcare, repatriation and emergencies, plus proof of where you will spend your first night. Our trekking insurance guide explains what the policy should cover.
- The foreign nationals system. Nepal began rolling out a tracking system for foreign visitors on 1 January 2026. The Kathmandu Post reported that visitors can register while applying for a visa and get a QR code to show at hotels, airlines, trekking agencies and money exchanges. By May 2026, The Rising Nepal reported 1,543 service providers had joined, but only 94 hotels, so you may meet it in some places and not in others. If you are given a QR code, keep it on your phone.
Does a re-entry cost extra?
The official wording is unclear here. The Department's FAQ says all tourist visas issued at entry points have multiple-entry facility, but its fee table also lists an additional USD 25 re-entry fee. This matters if you leave and come back, for example on our Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet tour. Ask an immigration officer on your way out, or email the Department at info@immigration.gov.np.
Booking a trek and unsure which visa fits your dates? Send us your flight times and we can go through the itinerary with you.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to get an eVisa or a visa on arrival?
The eVisa means less to do on landing, and the Department of Immigration recommends it for most travellers. Visa on arrival costs the same and has no online upload or payment. If your dates may change, remember the eVisa fee is non-refundable and the visa must be used within 6 months.
How long does a Nepal eVisa take?
The Department of Immigration describes the process as instant online processing, with approval sent by email. It does not publish a guaranteed time, so apply well before you travel and check your spam folder.
Can I pay the Nepal visa fee by card at the airport?
Often yes, but do not rely on it. Official sources say cards are accepted, and they also advise carrying cash as a backup. Bring enough US dollars to cover your visa.
Does my visa include trekking permits?
No. A visa lets you enter and stay in Nepal. Treks in protected and restricted areas need separate permits, and these are usually arranged through a registered agency.
Founder & Lead Guide, Annapurna Trekking
AJ founded Annapurna Trekking in 2016 and has personally guided treks across Nepal ever since. More about our team →
