With the facility of a Nepal visa on arrival, it’s easier to travel to the country than you expect. Most foreigners can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. This facility has made Nepal a popular destination for adventure and cultural travel.
However, it’s essential to understand the visa process for obtaining a visa on arrival when you’re travelling to the country for trekking, mountaineering, or city sightseeing. It’s straightforward and travel-friendly. You don’t need to apply months in advance of your arrival.
If you’re an eligible traveller, the system allows you to complete the formalities at the TIA or selected land border points. It saves you time and lets you plan your journeys more flexibly.
Nevertheless, you must meet some requirements to apply for the visa despite the easy application process. To avoid delays or confusion at immigration, you should be aware of the required documents, visa costs, and permitted duration of stay in Nepal, especially if you’re visiting the country for the first time.
Through this article, you’ll receive thorough information about the Nepal tourist visa, as well as eligibility, required documents, its fees, and the application process. You’ll be able to prepare for your vacation in Nepal confidently and commence your trip smoothly when the time comes.
What Is Nepal Visa On Arrival
In terms of the Nepal Visa on arrival (VOA), it’s an easy way for foreign tourists to enter the country without having to apply for a visa in advance. If you’re eligible for it, you can get a direct tourist visa at the airport or designated land border crossings, such as:
- Belahiya/Sunauli, Bhairahawa, Rupandehi District
- Banbasa, Kanchanpur District
- Hilsa, Humla District
- Jamunaha, Nepalgunj, Banke District
- Kakarvitta, Jhapa District
- Kodari, Sindhupalchowk District
- Korala, Mustang District
- Mohana, Dhangadi, Kailali District
- Raxaul/Birgunj District
- Tatopani, Rasuwa District
With the help of such a convenient system, you can save your time and invest it in planning your vacation.
Basically, the tourist visa for Nepal issued at TIA upon arrival has a fixed duration, varying depending on its type, which is generally 15, 30, and 90 days. Whether you’re travelling to the country for adventure, city sightseeing, or exploring religious sites, it’s an easy option available to you to make your trip hassle-free.
If you’re visiting Nepal for the first time, it’s crucial to learn about VOA. You’re required to submit your documents and the fee to get a stamp on your passport. After that, you’re completely ready to explore this stunning country for the permitted duration by following the local rules and regulations.
Who Is Eligible For Nepal VOA
Most countries are on the list of visa-on-arrival in Nepal. Citizens from almost all European countries, Australia, Canada, the USA, and Asian countries are eligible for VOA and can obtain a visa directly at TIA or selected land border crossings.
The visa eligibility covers foreigners travelling to the country for a city tour, cultural tour, trekking, mountaineering, or any short personal trips. All you need is a passport with a validity of at least six months to qualify.
Nevertheless, some countries don’t fall under this list due to immigration rules. They are listed below:
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Zimbabwe
- Swaziland
- Cameroon
- Somalia
- Liberia
- Ethiopia
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Refugees with a travel document
Citizens of these nations are required to submit a visa application at the Nepalese embassy in advance. Hence, we strongly recommend you check the latest eligibility list before travel.
Required Documents For Obtaining VOA In Nepal
Below is the breakdown of the required documents that you need to submit to immigration at TIA to get an arrival visa:
Valid Passport
A passport is one of the major documents that you’re required to submit to immigration. It must have at least six months of validity remaining and one blank page for a stamp.
Application Form
You must fill out the visa application form either online in advance or at the self-service kiosks at the airport to acquire a VOA. Following its submission, you’ll get a receipt with a barcode, which is needed at the immigration counter.
Passport-Sized Photo
You’ll need a passport-sized photo with a white background that is no more than six months old. For the online application, a digital photo is compulsory.
Visa Fee and Paying Method
The visa fee varies depending on the duration of your stay in the country. It’s typically 15, 30, and 90 days, and the costs are USD 30, 50, and 125, respectively.
You can pay it in cash or by credit card at the TIA. USD is accepted for payment, and the Euro may also be used.
The best way to pay is in cash. You can exchange your currency for Nepalese Rupee (NPR) at a money exchange, which is also available at the airport. Using a card for payment isn’t wise, as it takes an additional charge of 3.5% of the transaction amount.
Visa Extension in Nepal
In case you want to stay longer while exploring Nepal, a visa extension option is also available. You can do it easily, even without leaving the country.
For a visa extension, you’ll need to visit the immigration office in Nepal, either in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and submit your valid passport, a filled-out extension form, and your current visa details. The process is easy.
After your document verification, you can have your extension on the same day or the next. It depends on the season. During the peak seasons: spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), it might take more than a day.
Speaking of the visa extension fees, they vary depending on the number of days of extension. 15 days is the general extension period, costing USD 45. If you wish to extend more than that, you’ll need to pay USD 3 per day.
If you’re on a tourist visa, your maximum stay is 150 days per year. Keep in mind that your visa extension should be completed before it expires. Otherwise, you’ll be charged with fines (USD 5 per day) or may face legal action.
What is a Gratis Visa
A gratis visa is a type of visa that doesn’t incur any fee to issue. The government of Nepal grants it for free to certain visitors; no usual visa fee is needed. It’s mostly provided to the following categories of travellers:
- Children under 10 (except US citizens).
- For SAARC citizens (except Afghans), up to 30 days.
- For Chinese, up to 90 days.
- For diplomats, government officials, or VVIPs recognised by Nepal.
- An individual with an UN Laissez-Passer.
Officials from Countries with Visa-free Access to Nepal
Some officials from certain countries don’t require a visa to be processed in advance to visit Nepal. They can explore this amazing country freely to some limited extent. Check the list below to see if your country is included or not:
- China (Up to 30 days)
- Cambodia (Up to 30 days)
- Brazil (Up to 90 days)
- Russia (Up to 90 days)
- Thailand (Up to 90 days)
- Mongolia (Up to 90 days)
- Vietnam (Up to 90 days)
- Myanmar (Up to 90 days)
- Israel (Up to 90 days, but for diplomatic purposes only)
- Qatar (Up to 90 days)
- Oman (Up to 90 days)
- Georgia (Up to 90 days)
Important Tips for Nepal Visa On Arrival
Below are some essential tips for obtaining an on-arrival visa in Nepal that you should be aware of so that you don’t face any hassle when you land at Tribhuvan International Airport:
- Ensure your passport has a validity of at least six months.
- Carry your passport-sized photos no older than six months. Although the online application is available, the immigration department might still ask for it.
- Consider applying for the VOA form online in advance to save time at the airport.
- Use cash for a smooth payment, as technical errors may sometimes occur when paying with a card. Apart from NPR, USD is highly acceptable for payment.
- Select your visa duration (15, 30, or 90 days) wisely when applying. Doing so saves your time and money, as you don’t need to extend your days later.
- Keep your visa receipt and passport safe. They’re required for trekking permits, hotel check-ins, or visa extensions.
- Apply for your visa extension before it expires; otherwise, fines and legal actions may be charged.
- Not all nations are eligible for Nepal VOA; therefore, check the latest eligibility list of countries before travelling.
Final Conclusion
Nepal visa on arrival is one of the most comfortable ways for tourists to visit this beautiful country. All you need to provide is the basic requirements to the immigration department at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. In this blog, you’re given the detailed information about who’s eligible, what documents are required, and how the travel visa process works to help you prepare with confidence before your trip to Nepal.
Learning about the policies, visa costs, and common mistakes can save you time and help you avoid unnecessary annoyance at TIA or designated border points. If Nepal is your next destination, we recommend that you check the latest rules and make sure all your documents are ready to apply for a visa in advance.
