The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a landlocked country in the Himalayas, bordered by China to the north and India on all other sides. Nepal is a popular destination for trekking, mountaineering, and cultural tourism. Its visa policy is administered by the Department of Immigration and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Nepal offers free visa on arrival for most nationalities at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and selected border crossings, though some nationalities must obtain a visa in advance.

2. India — Freedom of Movement

Citizens of India enjoy complete freedom of movement to and from Nepal under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Indian nationals do not require a visa, passport, or any prior authorisation to enter Nepal. A valid national identity document such as an Indian passport, voter ID card, or Aadhaar card is sufficient for entry.

India — Special Entry Arrangement • No visa required — unrestricted freedom of movement • Accepted documents: Indian passport, Voter ID card, or Aadhaar card • Based on 1950 India-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship • No time restriction on length of stay

3. SAARC Countries — Free Visa on Arrival (30 Days)

Citizens of all SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) member states, except Afghanistan, are entitled to a free visa on arrival for up to 30 days. This reflects the SAARC framework for regional people-to-people connectivity.

SAARC Free Visa on Arrival — 30 Days (except Afghanistan) • Bangladesh • Bhutan • Maldives • Pakistan • Sri Lanka

4. China, Hong Kong & Macao — Free Tourist Visa on Arrival

Holders of passports issued by the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Macao Special Administrative Region are eligible for a free tourist visa on arrival in Nepal.

5. Standard Visa on Arrival (Paid) — All Other Nationalities

The vast majority of other nationalities may obtain a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and at seven land border crossings with India. The visa on arrival is available in multiple durations. Online Tourist Visa applications are also available via the Department of Immigration website for most nationalities.

Duration	Type	Fee (USD)	Notes
15 days	Single Entry	30	Short stays
30 days	Multiple Entry	50	Most common tourist visa
90 days	Multiple Entry	125	Extended tourism

Visa on Arrival — Entry Points • Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu • Kakarbhitta (land border with India) • Birgunj (land border with India) • Bhairahawa (land border with India) • Belahiya / Sunauli (land border with India) • Mahendranagar (land border with India) • Gaddachhauki (land border with India) • Kodari / Tatopani (land border with China — seasonal)

6. Maximum Stay

All visitors to Nepal, regardless of nationality or visa type, are limited to a maximum stay of 150 days within a single calendar year. Extensions may be obtained through the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu. Trekking in designated restricted areas requires an additional Restricted Area Permit (RAP) in addition to the standard tourist visa.

7. Non-Ordinary Passport Arrangements

Several countries have signed bilateral agreements with Nepal granting visa-free access for diplomatic, official, or service passport holders:

Country	Passport Types	Duration
Brazil	Diplomatic/Service	30 days
Cambodia	Diplomatic/Service	30 days
China	Diplomatic/Service	30 days
Israel	Diplomatic	90 days
Mongolia	Diplomatic/Service	30 days
Myanmar	Diplomatic/Service	90 days
Russia	Diplomatic/Service	90 days
Singapore	Diplomatic/Service	30 days
Thailand	Diplomatic/Service	90 days
Vietnam	Diplomatic/Service	30 days

8. Visa Required in Advance

Citizens of the following countries must obtain a Nepalese visa from a Nepalese embassy or consulate before travelling — visa on arrival is NOT available for these nationalities:

Countries Requiring Advance Visa (No VOA Available) • Afghanistan • Cameroon • Eswatini (Swaziland) • Ethiopia • Ghana • Iraq • Liberia • Nigeria • Palestine • Somalia • Syria • Zimbabwe

9. Pending Agreements

Country	Type	Signed
Indonesia	Diplomatic/Service visa-free	September 2024 (pending)
Serbia	Diplomatic/Official visa-free	September 2024 (pending)

10. Visitor Statistics

Country of Origin	Arrivals (2016)	Notes
China	66,984	Growing mountain tourism market
Sri Lanka	44,367	SAARC — free VOA
United States	42,687	Trekking and adventure tourism
United Kingdom	~35,000 est.	Established Himalayan tourism
India	~700,000+ est.	Indo-Nepal freedom of movement

11. Important Notes

Nepal is one of the most open countries in the world for international visitors, with the vast majority able to obtain a visa on arrival. Travellers planning trekking in restricted areas such as Mustang, Dolpa, and Humla must apply for Restricted Area Permits well in advance through a registered Nepalese trekking agency. Altitude sickness is a real health risk for visitors to high-altitude areas; travellers are advised to acclimatise properly and carry appropriate insurance including helicopter evacuation cover.