Nepal Visa Requirements for Tourists in 2026: Fees, Gratis Visa, Restrictions and Fines
If you are planning to visit Nepal in 2026 for trekking, exploring UNESCO Heritage sites or just relax at the capital, you can get a tourist visa either on arrival at major entry points or by applying for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel.
The common visa durations are 15, 30 and 90 days, from fees ranging from USD 30 to USD 125.
Moreover, tourist visas can also extended while you are in the country, but there is a calendar-year limit on total days a tourist can stay, which is commonly 150 days.
However, Nationals of several countries are not eligible for visa on arrival and must obtain a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission before traveling, so ensure your eligibility before you book your flights.
Details to know Before you travel
Before you travel, double‑check that your passport has at least six months left and grab a passport photo (or a digital one if you’ll do the ETA).
Immigration usually asks for proof of onward travel and where you’ll be staying, so keep a return ticket and a hotel or host address ready.
Visa fees are paid in USD at most counters, cards work sometimes, but cash in clean notes is easiest. Getting an ETA ahead of time will save you time at the airport.
| Visa Duration | Typical Fee (USD) | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | 30 | Multiple entry |
| 30 days | 50 | Multiple entry |
| 90 days | 125 | Multiple entry |
If your country is on the list that needs a pre‑issued embassy visa, sort that out before you travel. And if you think you’ll stay longer, check the annual limit and start your extension early.
Who cannot get a visa on arrival
Government of Nepal has restricted few countries from getting visa on arrival. If you hold a passport from one of these countries you must obtain a visa from a Nepalese embassy contact Nepal Royal Tourism Holidays before traveling; airlines/officials can refuse boarding without a pre-issued visa.
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Zimbabwe
- Eswatini (Swaziland)
- Cameroon
- Somalia
- Liberia
- Ethiopia
- Iraq
- Palestine
- Afghanistan
- Syria
- Iran
If you are a national of any of the countries mentioned above and the refugees with travel documents, make sure to follow embassy instructions and allow extra time for processing.
Many travelers assume everyone gets visa on arrival. That assumption can get you stuck at the gate if you are from a restricted country.
Another common mistake is waiting until the last minute to extend a visa, offices get busy and delays mean fines.
People also forget that the 150-day limit is a calendar-year total; leaving and coming back does not create a new allowance.
Finally, travelers sometimes try to pay with damaged or very old USD notes and are asked to find new bills; carry clean currency. If you avoid those mistakes you will probably never have a problem
Gratis Visa (Free Visa) in Nepal: Who Gets It in 2026
Nepal also provides a Gratis Visa (free of cost) to certain categories of travelers. This is an official provision and many tourists are not aware of it, even though it can significantly reduce travel costs depending on eligibility.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Children below 10 years | Free visa, except for U.S. citizens. Eligible children must present valid passport. |
| SAARC citizens | Free visa for up to 30 days on the first visit in a given visa year (except Afghanistan). |
| Afghan citizens | Eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon prior recommendation from the Department of Immigration Inviting institutions can coordinate necessary paperwork. |
| Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) card holders | Eligible for free visa with valid NRN card issued by MoFA or Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad |
| Chinese nationals | Eligible for free tourist visa up to 150 days. |
In addition to the above, Nepal has reciprocal visa waiver agreements with several countries. Under these agreements, certain government officials and passport holders from specific nations may receive visa exemptions. These include,
- Thailand – up to 90 days
- Russian Federation – up to 90 days
- People’s Republic of China – up to 30 days
- Brazil – up to 90 days
- Myanmar – up to 90 days
- Vietnam – up to 90 days
- Cambodia – up to 30 days
- Mongolia – up to 90 days
- Jordan – up to 90 days
- Israel – up to 90 days
- Georgia – up to 90 days
- Qatar – up to 90 days
The free visas for certain nations are usually based on official or diplomatic arrangements, so regular tourists should always confirm eligibility before travelling to Nepal.
It is also important to understand that even when a visa is issued free of cost at the airport, it is still classified as a tourist visa.
All standard rules apply, including duration limits and extension procedures; so always check the exemption dates according to your nationality.
Travelers who wish to stay longer must still go through the normal visa extension process at immigration offices inside Nepal, where the fee is standard like other tourists.
How to get a Nepal tourist Visa and Extend them easily
Getting Tourist Visa in Nepal is quite straightforward, though you might follow few steps, so your processing is not rejected.
Initially, travelers should decide whether they will use an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before they travel, get a visa on arrival, or apply at an embassy.
The best option for foreigners is definitely ETA . The process is the faster and also reduces the waiting time at the airport.
If your country is on the restricted list, do not attempt to use the on-arrival counter as your application will be rejected without further queries; make sure to apply at an embassy.
You must also prepare your documents accordingly. Check that your passport has at least six months’ validity and has at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
Have at least one passport photo ready or a good digital copy for the ETA upload. Keep a copy of your return or onward ticket and your first night’s accommodation booking.
You must also carry proof of funds if you can, since immigration may ask ( normally a bank statement or a credit card can work).
If you Apply online by completing the ETA form on the official Department of Immigration portal, the online form will ask for personal details, passport data and travel dates and lets you upload a passport photo.
Once processed you get an ETA confirmation that you can print or save on your phone. However, don’t forget Bring that confirmation to immigration.
Applying online is optional, but it is a time saver and reduces the risk of delays at busy arrival times, as said prior.
On arrival, follow the signs for visa services. If you applied for ETA, show the confirmation at the visa counter and complete any arrival card if required. If you did not apply online, use the visa on arrival counter and complete the arrival/visa form there.
If you did not apply online, use the visa on arrival counter and complete the arrival/visa form there.
Travelers should Pay the visa fee at the payment counters, where the receipts are issued. After payment you need to proceed to the immigration desk where your passport and documents are checked and the visa sticker is issued.
Make sure to Keep all receipts and the visa page safe as you travel. The procedure is pretty simple if you have travelled abroad, but queues can be long in peak trekking months and seasons: spring and autumn; so, ETA pre-approval is best reduces waiting time.
On the other hand, if you prefer certainty before departure or are from a restricted country, apply at a Nepalese embassy or consulate.
Embassies often require an application form, passport, photos, flight details, proof of accommodation, and the visa fee.
A visa issued at an embassy is usually valid for six months from the issuance date and you must enter Nepal within that timeframe. Embassy processing times vary by mission and nationality, so start early.
If you want to extend your stay, the process is handled by immigration offices in major cities and border points; Kathmandu and Pokhara are the most commonly used centers for extensions.
Don’t wait till the last day to get the Visa extension, the earlier the better for you.
Also , check how many days you have already used in the calendar year. Tourist visas are generally capped at a maximum of 150 days in a single calendar year for tourists, including extensions and re-entries.
If you have already reached the maximum you will not get more days without special approval. Visit the Department of Immigration website or office to confirm your remaining allowance before making further plans or bookings.
Once you complete the online registration process, the Immigration office ill allow your online extension. You must have passport, current visa, the printed form, two passport size photos proof of onward travel and proof of your accomodation.
Else, you can always trust our travel agency, for these kind of Governmental works, while you have a relaxed stay if you are at Kathmandu or chilling with your drink at Lakeside Pokhara; however, you must appear at the Immigration office at least once for the actual extension.
You may also require to provide supporting documents to the Immigration office. It may include, trekking permits, a volunteer letter, a course enrollment confirmation, or medical documentation if you require more time for health reasons.
Additionally, Extension fees follow a basic pattern: a minimum incremental charge applies (commonly USD 45 for the first 15 days) and then a daily rate (commonly USD 3 per extra day).
If you apply after your visa has already expired you will normally pay a late fine in addition to the extension fee (the late fine is commonly USD 5 per day for the period of delay).
After processing the officer will stamp the new expiry in your passport. Processing times are often same day but can be longer in busy periods. Always keep your receipt.
If you somehow overstay your Visa, it can lead to further administrative action. The standard policy is a daily overstay fine (in addition to the extension fee if you regularize later) and authorities may detain and deport persistent overstayers.
Overstaying will make the matter worse, so contact immigration immediately and start the regularization process as soon as possible.
If you want help with ETA applications, extension advice, permit letters for trekking or clear guidance when you are dealing with a border checkpoint, Nepal Royal Tourism Holiday can assist with document checks, letters of support and in-country liaison so your arrival and extension processes go smoothly.
We confirm the latest rules with immigration and coordinate any embassy referrals if you are from a restricted nationality.
Nepal keeps its tourist visa system simple for most visitors, but the rules matter, do the ETA step, check the restricted list if your passport is from one of the named countries, and start an extension early if you want to stay longer than your initial visa.