Good news: the visa for Nepal is one of the simplest formalities in Asia. Most nationalities, including citizens of the UK, the US, the EU, Canada and Australia, get it directly on arrival, at Kathmandu airport or at a land border. Indian citizens do not need a visa at all. Here is what to prepare, what it costs and the pitfalls to avoid.
The visa on arrival: prices and durations
| Visa duration | Price (2026) |
|---|---|
| 15 days | US$30 |
| 30 days | US$50 |
| 90 days | US$125 |
The visa is multiple-entry. You can pay in dollars, euros or other major currencies, in cash or by card depending on the counter. Bring notes in good condition. Children under 10 do not pay.
Tip: always take a slightly longer duration than your planned stay. A delayed flight at Lukla or an extra stage can push you past 15 days. The 30-day visa costs $20 more and saves you an extension in the middle of your trek.
What to have with you
- A passport valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry into Nepal, with at least one blank page.
- A recent passport photo. The airport kiosks take your photo, but a printed photo helps if the kiosk is out of order.
- The visa fee in cash, preferably in dollars.
- The address of your first hotel in Kathmandu. We send it to you before you leave.
How it works at Kathmandu airport
- Fill in the form on one of the touch-screen kiosks, or in advance online on the website of Nepal’s Department of Immigration. The online form is valid for 15 days; print the receipt or keep it on your phone.
- Pay at the “Visa fees” counter and keep the receipt.
- Go to the immigration desk with your passport, the receipt and the form. The visa is stuck into your passport.
Allow between 30 minutes and 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on the crowds. Flights from the Gulf often land at the same time in the late afternoon: this is the busiest moment. Mohan or a member of the team will be waiting for you at the exit with a sign bearing your name.
Is it worth getting the visa before you leave?
You can also apply for the visa at the embassy or consulate of Nepal in your own country. It is not necessary for a tourist trip: the visa on arrival is the same, at the same price. Only go through the embassy if you want to avoid any waiting at the airport or if your nationality is not on the visa-on-arrival list. Citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland (Eswatini), Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria, among others, as well as refugees, must get their visa before they leave.
Extending your visa in Nepal
You can extend the visa at the immigration office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, by at least 15 days at a time, up to a limit of 150 days per calendar year. Allow half a day and pay in rupees or dollars.
Health: vaccinations
No vaccination is compulsory to enter Nepal from Europe, North America or Australia. Check your government’s travel health advice, such as NHS Fit for Travel in the UK or the CDC in the US. They recommend being up to date with routine vaccines (tetanus, diphtheria, polio, whooping cough) and getting the hepatitis A vaccine. Typhoid and rabies are advised for long stays or rural areas. Book an appointment with your doctor or a travel clinic at least one month before you leave. Your doctor can also prescribe altitude sickness medication: read our guide to altitude.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa for a 10-day trek?
Yes, as for any stay. The 15-day visa is enough if you only stay 10 days in Nepal. For a 10-day trek plus the days in Kathmandu and some margin, take 30 days instead.
Can you pay for the visa in euros?
Yes, euros are accepted at the airport counter. The exchange rate is sometimes less good than for dollars, but the difference is small.
Is the visa enough to go trekking?
No. Each trekking region also requires one or more permits. Your agency obtains them for you. It is all explained in our guide to trekking permits.
The fees and rules given here are those published by Nepal’s Department of Immigration in 2026. Check them before you leave, as they may change.
