Nepal is a country located in Asia, between India and China, and it stands out through its diverse culture and impressive temples. It is home to ten of the tallest mountains in the world, including the famous Mount Everest. Nepal has a lot to offer to tourists: besides hiking the Himalayas, you can also immerse yourself in the Nepalese culture, visit the country’s capital, Kathmandu, meet new people, or explore the busy markets where you can shop for handicrafts.
However, if you want to visit Nepal, a visa is essential. The good news is that applying for one is now straightforward, as the country’s government has facilitated the process. Read our detailed guide to learn more about how to get your Nepal visa.
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Does everyone need a visa when traveling to Nepal?
In short, yes! Unless you have an Indian passport, you can only enter Nepal with a visa. You can obtain it online or at the Kathmandu International Airport. The procedure involves a few steps:
- Completing a form;
- Waiting for the resolution;
- Showing your visa to authorities.
Not everyone can get a Nepal visa on arrival; nationals of some countries must get it before they arrive in the country, including:
- Iraq;
- Nigeria;
- Somalia;
- Zimbabwe;
- Afghanistan;
- Cameroon, etc.
What are the different types of Nepal Visas available?
You can apply for a different type of visa based on your reason for visiting Nepal:
- Tourist visa, issued to those who are traveling to Nepal for tours, sightseeing, and other leisure activities. You can initially apply for this visa for 15-90 days and extend it later.
- Non-tourist visa, issued to individuals who work in Nepal occasionally and stay there only for a short time (for instance, journalism professionals).
- Business visa, designed for those visiting Nepal for business purposes.
- Student visa, issued to those who want to pursue an academic degree in Nepal or travel to the country for a research project.
- Transit visa, issued to individuals who enter Nepal for 24 hours. You can get this visa on arrival to the country, and you must present it with an air ticket.
- Residence visa, designed for those who want to move to Nepal.
What requirements do you have to meet when applying for a Nepal Visa?
You’ll need different types of documents depending on the type of visa you apply for.
For example, requirements for a Nepal Tourist Visa include the following:
- Your passport (which should be valid for the next six months after entering the country);
- A recent passport-size photo; A Nepal Visa Application Form (which you can complete online and then print);
- Proof of accommodation in the country (this can either be an address or a hotel booking);
- Travel ticket;
- A document showing you paid the fee for the Nepal visa;
- A document indicating you have enough financial means (for instance, bank statements).
On the other hand, if you’re traveling to Nepal to carry out business, you’ll need other specific documents:
- A Nepal Business Visa Application form;
- An acceptance letter for foreign investment (which is issued by the Department of Industry);
- A recommendation letter from a department of the Nepal Government;
- Copies of VAT/PAN certificate, of shares certificate and the Company’s Registration Certificate;
- Photocopies of your passport;
- Your bio data;
- A photocopy of your visa.
Suppose you travel to Nepal for work. In that case, besides the Nepal Work Application form, there are several documents you’ll need, including:
- A work permit (which you can obtain from the Department of Labor);
- A work agreement (issued by the Nepal Ministry of Home Affairs);
- Photocopies of your passport and Nepal visa;
- A work contract;
- Tax clearance of the organization that you’ll work for;
- Proof you have paid the Nepal Work Visa fee (75 USD monthly).
If you are a student, the requirements are as follows:
- A Nepal Study Visa Application form;
- The letter that proves you’ve been accepted as a student in Nepal;
- A recommendation letter from the Nepal Ministry of Education;
- Photocopies of your Nepal Visa and passport;
- Proof that you have enough financial means (such as bank statements from the past week)
What are the steps to applying for a Nepal Visa?
You can apply for a Nepal Visa either by accessing the official website of the country’s government or through a third-party website like www.visagov.com. It is also possible to apply for it as soon as you arrive at the airport, but this isn’t recommended as there can be many setbacks, such as long queues.
To apply for the visa, you must complete an application form with your personal information, such as where you’ll stay in Nepal. After filling in the form and printing it, you’ll have to pay a fee for the visa, which varies depending on how much time you’re planning to spend in the country. For tourists, Nepal Visa fees are the following:
- For 15 days – 30 USD
- For 30 days – 50 USD
- For 90 days – 125 USD.
Other types of visas have different fees, so it’s vital to consult the Nepalese embassy to check them. For instance, if you want to apply for a Nepal study visa, the academic fee is 30 USD per month, while the researcher fee is 50 USD per month.
In some instances, you don’t have to pay any fee for the visa – if a few specific conditions are met:
- You are a citizen of SAARC or a Chinese citizen;
- You hold a Nepalese non-resident card.
When exactly should you apply for your Nepal Visa?
If you apply online for your Nepal tourist visa, it’s imperative to do so 48 hours before you leave. Keep in mind that the application form has an expiration date (after 15 days of being issued, it is no longer valid), so you must apply for it 14 days before you travel to the country. Suppose you process your Nepal visa on arrival. In that case, you’ll have to practice patience, as there will likely be a queue, which means you’ll have to wait a while.
Takeaway
No matter your reason for traveling to Nepal, you can’t enter the country without a visa. There are different requirements for students, employees, future Nepal residents, and so on. So, ensure you have all the necessary documents before applying for the visa.
