So you are planning a trip to Nepal? Getting a Nepal Tourist Visa is really easy for travelers. When you get to Tribhuvan International Airport or cross the border at one of the approved land borders you can get a Visa, on Arrival in a few minutes.

This guide has all the information you need to know about the Nepal Tourist Visa. You will learn who needs a visa how much it costs if you are eligible how to apply what papers you need how long it takes to get your visa and where you can get it.

You might be going to Nepal to go trekking or to see the sights or to learn about the culture. Whatever your reason this guide will help you get to Nepal without any problems.

Who Needs a Nepal Tourist Visa?

Most people from countries need a Nepal Tourist Visa to get into Nepal.  Most people from countries can get a an on-arrival visa in Nepal when they arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or at certain border crossings. They can also fill out the application before they go to make things easier when they get there.

People from India do not need a visa to go to Nepal. They can just show their passport or Voter ID card and they will be fine.

There are some countries where people can get a free visa for thirty days when they visit Nepal for the first time that year. These countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Kids under ten years old do not have to pay for a visa. However, they still need to get one.

Nationals from the following countries have to obtain a Nepal Tourist Visa from a Nepal Embassy before they leave their country:

• Afghanistan
• Cameroon
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Iraq
• Liberia
• Nigeria
• Palestine
• Somalia
• Syria
• Zimbabwe
• Iran

If you are from one of these countries you need to get your Nepal Tourist Visa before you leave. You should always check the rules before you book your trip to Nepal because they can change. This way you will not have any problems when you get to Nepal. You need a Nepal Tourist Visa to have a time, in Nepal.

Nepal Visa Fees 2026

Visa fees are payable in cash using major international currencies, including USD, EUR, and GBP. These are the most widely accepted currencies at immigration payment counters. You can also use Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars and Singapore Dollars. Some Nepal entry points even take Swiss Francs and a few other major currencies.

You should not expect to be able to pay with credit cards at the airport visa counters. So you need to bring cash. Make sure the notes are clean and not damaged. The airport visa counters usually do not accept credit cards so it is an idea to have United States Dollars, Euros and British Pounds with you.

How to Apply for a Nepal Tourist Visa:  3 Methods

Method 1: Visa on Arrival which’s the most common way to get a Nepal Tourist Visa.

To get a Nepal Tourist Visa on arrival you need to go to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or any major land border crossing like Kakarbhitta, Bhairahawa or Nepalgunj.

Here is what you need to do:

• Fill out the Arrival Card and Tourist Visa application form at the airport or online before your trip to save time.
• Pay the visa fee at the payment counter. The fee depends on the length of your stay.
• Submit your passport, photo (if required), and payment receipt to the immigration officer.
• Receive your Nepal Tourist Visa immediately at the arrival terminal before entering Nepal.

It usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes to get your Nepal Tourist Visa. It can take longer if a lot of people are arriving at the same time like in the evening when there are a lot of flights coming into Kathmandu.

Method 2: Electronic Travel Authorization or ETA is a way to get a Nepal Tourist Visa if you want to get in faster.

To get an ETA you need to go to Nepal’s official immigration portal, which is nepaliport.immigration.gov.np you can do this up to 6 months before you travel to Nepal.

Here is what you need to do: 

• Fill out the Nepal Tourist Visa application form online it is easy and fast.
• Then you need to print out the confirmation receipt it will have a barcode on it.
• When you arrive in Nepal you need to show the barcode receipt at the visa fee counter of filling out all the paperwork again.
• You will still need to pay the fee for your Nepal Tourist Visa but you will get it faster because you already did the paperwork online.
• You will get your Nepal Tourist Visa at the place as people who do not have an ETA but because you already did the paperwork online it will be faster.

It only takes a minutes to fill out the online application and when you arrive in Nepal you will get your Nepal Tourist Visa stamp faster than people who do not have an ETA.

Method 3: Embassy or Consulate Application this is the way to get a Nepal Tourist Visa if you are from certain countries.

To get a Nepal Tourist Visa this way you need to go to the Nepalese embassy or consulate in your country.

Here is what you need to do:

• Fill out the visa application form on the Nepal Immigration portal it is easy to do.
• Then you need to send your passport to the embassy you can do this in person or by courier.
• The embassy will process your application and send you an ETA letter you need to bring this letter with you when you travel to Nepal.
• When you arrive in Nepal you need to show the ETA letter to the immigration officer. The officer will give you a Nepal Tourist Visa stamp.
• You will get your passport back from the embassy before you travel to Nepal it will have the ETA letter or approval, in it. Then you will get the actual Nepal Tourist Visa stamp when you arrive in Nepal.

It usually takes around 1 to 4 business days to get your Nepal Tourist Visa this way so you should apply at a week or two before you travel to Nepal.

Common Mistakes When Applying for a Nepal Tourist Visa

• Using a passport with less than six months’ validity or insufficient blank pages.
• Not carrying enough cash in an accepted currency to pay the visa fee.
• Choosing the wrong visa duration (15, 30, or 90 days) for your travel plans.
• Entering incorrect personal information on the visa application form.
• Not completing the online ETA application before arrival if you want a faster immigration process.
• Waiting until the last minute to apply through a Nepalese embassy if you are not eligible for a Visa on Arrival.
• Forgetting to bring a passport-sized photo, if requested by immigration.
• Ignoring the latest Nepal visa requirements, as immigration rules may change before your trip.
• Overstaying your visa, which can result in fines and additional immigration procedures.
• Not keeping your passport and visa documents safe during your stay in Nepal.

Documents Required

• You need a Passport that’s valid for at least 6 months, beyond the date you enter and it should have 1 to 2 blank pages.
• You need one passport- photo you can upload it online but it is a good idea to carry a physical copy with you.
• You need to have Cash to pay for the visa fee in a currency that is accepted.
• You need to fill out the visa application form

New for 2026: You also need to do FNMIS Registration.

Since January 1 2026 if you are traveling you also need to register with the Foreign Nationals Management Information System, which is also called FNMIS using the website or the mobile app. When you do this you get a QR code that is used to track visitors. This is especially important for people who are going trekking in remote areas. You should do this FNMIS Registration at the time you are applying for your visa it does not take the place of your visa but it is now something you have to do along with your visa application.

Visa Extensions

If you want to stay than the time allowed by your first visa you can get an extension inside Nepal. These extensions are handled at the immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The cost is the same as applying for a visa. Keep in mind that there is a limit on how days you can stay in a calendar year. This limit is usually 150 days.

Final Takeaway

For travelers the quickest way is to finish the ETA online before you arrive. Then get the physical visa stamp at Tribhuvan International Airport or at the land border where you enter. Citizens who need approval from an embassy should apply least one to two weeks early. No matter what make sure to have cash, a passport and complete the FNMIS registration. With these steps you will go through immigration quickly. Be on your way to the Himalayas, in just an hour.

 FAQs

1. What is the cost of a Nepal tourist visa?
The Nepal tourist visa fee is USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days, payable in cash on arrival.

2. How can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Fill out the arrival card and visa form at Tribhuvan International Airport or a land border, pay the fee in cash, and an immigration officer will stamp your passport on the spot.

3. Do Indian citizens need a visa for Nepal?
No. Indian citizens can enter Nepal visa-free by showing a passport or voter ID.

4. Is the Nepal tourist visa free for any countries?
Yes. Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka receive a free 30-day visa on their first entry each calendar year.

5. How much is the Nepal e-visa or ETA?
The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) costs the same as a visa on arrival — USD 30, 50, or 125 depending on duration — but can be applied for online in advance.

6. How long does the Nepal visa on arrival process take?
Typically 15–30 minutes at the counter, though it can take up to 45 minutes during peak arrival times if you haven’t completed the online form beforehand.

7. What documents are needed for a Nepal tourist visa?
A passport valid for at least 6 months, a passport-sized photo, a completed visa application form, and cash for the fee.

8. Can children get a free Nepal tourist visa?
Children under 10 don’t pay the visa fee, but a visa document is still issued in their name.

9. How do I extend my Nepal tourist visa?
Visa extensions are processed at immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara for a minimum of USD 45 (15 days), plus USD 3 per additional day.

10. What is the maximum stay allowed on a Nepal tourist visa?
Tourists can stay a maximum of 150 days per calendar year (January–December), combining initial visas and extensions.

11. Which nationalities cannot get a Nepal visa on arrival?
A small number of nationalities must apply for their Nepal tourist visa at a Nepalese embassy before departure, since they’re not eligible for visa on arrival.

12. What is the FNMIS registration for Nepal visas?
Since January 2026, all travelers must register on the Foreign Nationals Management Information System (FNMIS) portal or app, which generates a QR code used for visitor tracking.

13. Can I pay for my Nepal visa with a credit card?
Usually not. Nepal visa fees are paid almost exclusively in cash — USD, Euro, and GBP are the most widely accepted currencies.

14. What happens if my Nepal visa expires before I extend it?
A late fee of USD 5 per day applies if you apply for an extension after your current visa has already expired.

15. How far in advance can I apply for a Nepal ETA?
You can apply for the Nepal ETA online up to 6 months before your travel date.