Nepal offers a remarkably accessible visa system designed to welcome international travelers, trekkers, and mountaineers. Most foreign nationals can obtain a visa through two primary methods: Visa on Arrival (VoA) at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) or land borders, and Pre-issued Visas from Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad.
The Visa on Arrival is the most convenient option for the majority of tourists. Upon landing at TIA in Kathmandu or arriving at a designated land entry point (such as Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, or Belahiya), travelers follow a simple three-step process:
1. Online Application: Within 15 days of your arrival, fill out the “Tourist Visa” form on the official Department of Immigration website. While kiosks are available at the airport, completing this online beforehand and printing the barcode receipt significantly speeds up the process.
2. Payment: Proceed to the bank counter at the airport to pay the visa fee. It is highly recommended to carry USD cash, though other major currencies (EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, JPY) are accepted.
3. Immigration Desk: Present your online form receipt, payment receipt, and passport (with at least six months of validity) to the immigration officer to receive your visa sticker.
The fees for a Tourist Visa are standardized based on the duration of stay:
15 Days: USD $30
30 Days: USD $50
90 Days: USD $125
Note: Visa extensions can be processed at the Immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Nepal maintains approximately 30 embassies and 7 consulates worldwide (including in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, China, India, and various European countries). Travelers who prefer to have their visa secured before departure can apply in person or by mail at these missions. This process usually takes 3–5 working days and requires a passport, a completed application form, and the applicable fee.
Indian Nationals: Do not require a visa to enter Nepal but must provide a valid passport or Voter ID.
SAARC Citizens: Travelers from SAARC countries (except Afghanistan) are eligible for a “Gratis Visa” (free of charge) for up to 30 days once per calendar year.
Also Read: Trekking & Expeditions Permit in Nepal
Chinese Nationals: Currently, Chinese tourists are often granted visa fee waivers to promote tourism.
Restricted Countries: Citizens from certain countries are not eligible for Visa on Arrival and must obtain a visa from a Nepalese Embassy before traveling. These include Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Liberia, Somalia, Guinea, Iraq, Palestine, and Afghanistan.
While a visa allows entry into the country, it does not serve as a trekking permit. If you plan to visit restricted areas or national parks (such as Everest, Manaslu, Rolwaling, Kanchenjunga or Annapurna etc), you will need additional permits like the TIMS card or specific Special Trekking Permits, which our team at Kalapatthar Trek & Expedition handles on your behalf. Always ensure your passport has at least two blank pages for stamps.
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu serves as the primary international gateway to Nepal. Currently, approximately 30 international airlines operate regular scheduled flights to and from Kathmandu, connecting Nepal to major global hubs in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Nepal has two major international airlines:
1. Nepal Airlines (Flag Carrier): Operating a fleet of Airbus A320s and A330s, the national carrier flies to destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo (Narita), Doha, and Dubai.
2. Himalaya Airlines: A private carrier that operates a young fleet of Airbus aircraft, connecting Kathmandu to various cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao), Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Dammam), Kuwait, UAE (Dubai), and Malaysia.
For travelers from the West, Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) is highly popular as it provides the only direct link between Nepal and Europe.
Middle Eastern Hubs: Qatar Airways (Doha), FlyDubai/Emirates (Dubai), and Air Arabia (Sharjah) offer multiple daily flights and are the most common choice for travelers from the USA, UK, and Africa.
Asian Hubs: Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and Cathay Pacific connect Nepal to Australasia and North America via Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
India: Delhi is the busiest transit point for Nepal. Air India, Indigo, Vistara, and Nepal Airlines operate frequent “shuttle” style flights (often 5+ flights daily) between Delhi and Kathmandu.
Flight prices vary significantly based on the season (Peak trekking seasons are March–May and October–November). Below are rough estimates for round-trip economy fares:
From Delhi, India: $150 – $280 (1.5-hour flight; very frequent).
From Dubai, UAE: $400 – $650 (Direct via FlyDubai or Nepal Airlines).
From Singapore: $500 – $800 (Direct via Singapore Airlines).
From London, UK / Germany: $950 – $1,400 (Usually via Istanbul or Doha).
From USA & Canada: $1,200 – $1,900 (Commonly via Doha, Dubai, or Istanbul).
From South Africa: $1,100 – $1,600 (Typically via Doha or Addis Ababa).
Most international flights arrive in Kathmandu between midday and late evening. Due to Nepal’s unique geography and weather conditions, we recommend travelers book flights with a “buffer day” before their trek starts. This ensures that any international delays do not disrupt your mountain itinerary.
At Kalapatthar Trek & Expedition, we provide airport pickup services for all our clients, regardless of your arrival time, ensuring a smooth transition from the terminal to your hotel.