Nepal Arrival Info

Nepal Arrival Info for Tourists

Welcome to Nepal, home of the Himalayas!

Travellers from most countries can easily obtain a visa upon arrival when visiting Nepal as a tourist. This page offers detailed Nepal arrival info that is supplementary to Nepal’s Department of Immigration website, to help you smoothly transition into your stay in Nepal.

Airport Arrival

You will likely arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and Tribhuvan International Airport is the largest airport in the country with operations in both domestic and international travel.

Visa on Arrival

Step 1: Deboard Plane
As of 2025, you will deboard your flight onto a bus that takes you to the international arrivals. Exit the bus and then enter a large room where you will obtain your Tourist Visa on Arrival and go through customs.

Step 2: Complete Arrival Form
Option A: Turn right upon entering the customs area and find a kiosk. Fill out the Tourist Visa form by entering your information into the kiosk. You will need to input your travel information including where you are coming from, how long you are staying, the type of visa you need and where you are staying. It is appropriate to write your hotel name or “Thamel” for where you are staying if you do not know the exact address. Once complete, print it out, or, if there is no paper in the kiosk, then take a photo of the final confirmation page.

Option B: You can fill out the arrival form online, within fifteen days before your arrival. Visit the Department of Immigration website or follow this link directly to the form page. After completing it online, print out the submission receipt and bring it with you, skipping right to Step 3.

Step 3: Make Payment
Proceed to the payment counter located on the left side of the customs room. Pay for your tourist visa according to the length of time that you are staying.

• • • • US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days
      • You can pay in any major currency including AUD, CAD, SGD, DKK, MYR, USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, QAD, SAR, KRW, JPY, CNY, HKD, THB, KWD or BHD

It is recommended to make this payment in cash as opposed to on credit card (which has fees). Take your payment receipt with you to the next step.

Step 4: Proceed to Immigration Desk
Take your online form, payment receipt passport and boarding pass to the Immigration Desk at the back of the room. Choose the line for “Visa on Arrival”. The officer at the desk will issue you your visa and welcome you to Nepal.

Baggage Claim

Continue downstairs after receiving your tourist visa stamp in your passport. As of 2025, you will go through a security check that includes putting your items through a metal detector and a quick frisking.

Baggage claim is straight ahead with numbered conveyor belts according to your flight. Sometimes staff will remove bags from the conveyor belt to make room for more bags, so be sure to check the floor as well as the conveyor belt for your bags.

Bathrooms and baggage carts are to your left after coming through security.

Transfer to Hotel

If you have booked a trekking or travel package through Himalayan Peace Treks, then a trusted staff member will be waiting for you outside the airport. Look for our company logo and be transferred to your hotel in Thamel.

If you are travelling independently, than you can look for a taxi outside of the airport arrivals. Taxi drivers wear vests and will likely be asking you if you need a ride. Be sure to agree upon the taxi price before you leave the airport. You can expect to pay 1000-1500 Nepali rupees to go to Thamel depending on traffic, time of day and group size.

Visa Extensions

You can extend your tourist visa or change the category by visiting the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or the Immigration Office in Pokhara. Tourist visas are extended for a minimum of 15 days for US$ 45 with US$3 per day for additional days. You can stay as a tourist for a maximum of 150 days total in the calendar year.

Visa Exceptions and Exemptions

Individuals who hold Indian passports do not need a visa to enter Nepal.

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

You can obtain a Gratis Visa, issued for free at the airport, if you fall under one of these categories:

• Children below 10 years (yay!)
• Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizens (except Afghanistan) once in a given visa year
• Non Residential Nepalese (NRN) card holder (issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
• Chinese Nationals for 150 days
• Officials from China, Brazil, Russia and Thailand do not need Entry Visa based on reciprocal Visa Waiver Agreement

Nationals of following countries are requested to acquire a Visa prior to their arrival from their nearby diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of the Nepali Government. In other words these nationals won’t get on arrival visa unless they have an official letter issued from the Nepali Ministry of Home Affairs.

Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Syria
Refugees with travel document

Land Arrival

Perhaps you are arriving in Nepal by land as opposed to flight. Nepal arrival info for land borders is generally the same process with the same requirements as arriving by air. In some cases you might be required to complete the online visa form in advance. Be prepared that sometimes the land borders can be slow and a little chaotic.

If you have any questions regarding Nepal arrival info or would like to arrange your travels with a trusted company, consider reaching out to us at Himalayan Peace Treks. We are an ethical company offering exceptional guest experiences throughout Nepal and the Himalayas.