Getting your visa for Nepal is, thankfully, one of the most straightforward parts of planning your trip. For the vast majority of travelers, there’s no need to visit an embassy beforehand—you can simply secure a Visa on Arrival (VoA) right at the airport in Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport) or at any land border crossing.
Here is a breakdown of the current costs, duration options, and requirements to help you breeze through immigration.
1. Visa Types, Rates, and Durations
Nepal offers three standard durations for tourist visas. All of these options are Multiple-Entry, meaning you can leave and re-enter Nepal (for instance, if you want to hop over to Bhutan or Tibet) as long as your visa is still valid.
| Visa Duration | Fee (USD) | Best For |
| 15 Days | $30 USD | Short city tours, cultural trips, or short treks (like Poon Hill or Mardi Himal). |
| 30 Days | $50 USD | The standard trekker's choice. Ideal for long routes like Everest Base Camp or the Annapurna Circuit, with plenty of room for flight delays. |
| 90 Days | $125 USD | Extended travel, volunteering, studying, or stringing together multiple long-distance treks. |
Maximum Stay: You can stay in Nepal as a tourist for a maximum of 150 days per calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
The "Free" (Gratis) Visa Exceptions
Certain travelers do not have to pay the standard visa fees:
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Indian Citizens: Under the India-Nepal open border agreement, Indian nationals do not require a visa. They can enter freely with a valid passport or Voter ID card.
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Children: Anyone under 10 years old receives a gratis (free) visa, regardless of nationality.
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SAARC Citizens: Travelers holding passports from SAARC countries (Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan) get a 30-day free visa for their first visit of the calendar year.
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Chinese Nationals: Eligible for a fee-waived tourist visa for up to 150 days per year.
2. What You Need to Bring
To make sure you aren't stuck in line at the airport, keep these essential items in your carry-on bag:
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A Valid Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in Nepal.
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The Visa Fee in Cash: While credit card machines are available at the airport, they are notoriously slow and prone to network dropouts. It is highly recommended to bring crisp, undamaged US Dollar bills to pay the exact fee.
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Online Application Form: You can fill out the tourist visa form online via the Official Department of Immigration Portal within 15 days of your arrival. Printing out the confirmation page with the barcode will save you from having to use the crowded electronic kiosks at the airport terminal.
3. What If You Need to Stay Longer?
If you fall in love with the country and decide to extend your stay while you're there, you don't need to exit the country. You can apply for a Visa Extension at the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
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Minimum Extension: 15 days for $45 USD.
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Additional Days: $3 USD per day for each day after the first 15 days.
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Overstay Penalty: If you accidentally let your visa lapse, you will face an overstay fine of $5 USD per day, plus the extension fee. It's always best to extend before your original visa expires!