Nepal is a land of natural and cultural wonders, where you can enjoy the majestic Himalayas, ancient temples, diverse wildlife, and vibrant festivals. If you are planning to visit this beautiful country, you will need a visa, unless you are an Indian national. In this blog post, we will guide you through the visa process for Nepal, including the types of visas, how to apply, how to extend, and what documents you need.

Types of Visas for Nepal

The most common visa types for Nepal are:

• Tourist Visa: This is the visa that you need if you are visiting Nepal for tourism or leisure activities, such as sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families, etc. You can get a tourist visa on arrival at the airport or land borders, or apply online before your arrival. The tourist visa is valid for 15, 30, or 90 days, and can be extended for up to 150 days in a visa year. The visa fee depends on the duration of stay, and ranges from 30 USD for 15 days to 125 USD for 90 days¹²³.

• Business Visa: This is the visa that you need if you are visiting Nepal for business or investment purposes, such as attending meetings, conferences, seminars, trade fairs, exhibitions, etc. You can get a business visa from the Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad, or change the category of your visa from tourist to business at the Department of Immigration in Nepal. The business visa is valid for 30, 90, or 180 days, and can be extended for up to one year. The visa fee depends on the duration of stay, and ranges from 40 USD for 30 days to 300 USD for one year¹⁴.

• Other Visas: There are other types of visas for Nepal, such as diplomatic visa, official visa, study visa, non-tourist visa, residential visa, etc. These visas are issued for specific purposes and have different requirements and fees. You can find more information about these visas on the website of the Department of Immigration¹.

How to Apply for a Visa for Nepal

There are two ways to apply for a visa for Nepal: online or on arrival.

• Online: You can apply for a visa online up to 15 days in advance of your arrival. You need to fill in an online visa application form, upload a passport-sized photo, and print out the confirmation receipt. You also need to have a passport with at least six months validity, and a return or onward ticket. You can pay the visa fee online or at the airport. Applying online can save you time and hassle at the immigration¹⁵.
• On Arrival: You can also get a visa on arrival at the airport or land borders. You need to fill in an arrival card, an online visa form (using kiosk machines at the airport), and pay the visa fee at the bank counter. You also need to have a passport with at least six months validity, and a return or onward ticket. You can then proceed to the immigration desk with your documents and get your visa stamped on your passport¹²³.

How to Extend a Visa for Nepal

If you want to stay longer in Nepal, you can extend your visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You need to fill in an online visa extension form, and submit it along with your passport, payment receipt, and other supporting documents. The visa extension fee is 45 USD for up to 15 days, and 3 USD per day for additional days. If you delay your visa extension, you will have to pay a late fine of 5 USD per day¹⁶⁷.

Required Documents for a Visa for Nepal

The documents that you need for a visa for Nepal vary depending on the type of visa and the mode of application. However, some of the common documents that you need are:

• Your original passport, which is valid for at least another six months and has at least two blank visa pages
• Photocopies of the personal information page of your passport
• At least one recent passport-size picture of yourself (1.5inch x 1.5inch with a white background)
• The online visa application form (completed and printed)
• The confirmation receipt with barcode (if you applied online)
• The visa fee payment receipt (if you paid online or at the bank counter)
• A return or onward ticket
• Other supporting documents, such as invitation letter, tax clearance certificate, etc. (depending on the type and category of visa)

We hope this blog post has given you a clear and comprehensive overview of the visa process for Nepal. Nepal is a wonderful destination for travelers who want to experience the beauty and diversity of nature and culture. With a valid visa, you can explore this amazing country and create unforgettable memories. Happy travels!