Who Can Get a Visa on Arrival
Nepal issues tourist visas on arrival to citizens of almost every country worldwide, making it one of the most accessible entry systems in Asia. There are two notable exceptions:
| Nationality | Entry Option | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Free — No Visa | Free | Unlimited stay; bilateral open-border agreement |
| China | Visa on Arrival | $30 / $50 / $125 | Standard process; same as all other nationalities |
| USA, UK, EU, Canada, Australia | Visa on Arrival | $30 / $50 / $125 | Standard process; most common traveller profile |
| Japan, South Korea, Singapore | Visa on Arrival | $30 / $50 / $125 | Standard process |
| Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana | Pre-Approval Required | $30 / $50 / $125 | Apply in advance via Nepal Embassy; cannot get VOA on arrival |
| Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Zimbabwe | Restricted | — | Contact nearest Nepal Embassy for current status |
Fee Tiers Explained
Nepal's visa fee is tiered by duration. You choose your duration at the counter — there is no obligation to select the longest (most expensive) option. All fees are payable in US Dollars. Nepalese Rupees are accepted at some counters but at a rate that invariably disadvantages the traveller; USD is strongly preferred.
The 30-day visa ($50) is the right choice for the vast majority of tourists and trekkers. Even if you plan to stay only 10–12 days, the $50 tier avoids the risk of needing to extend if plans change. The 15-day option is only cost-effective if you are genuinely certain of a short stay.
| Duration | Fee (USD) | Extension Rate | Max Extendable Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 15 days | $30 | $3 per day | Up to 150 days total per calendar year |
| Up to 30 days | $50 | $3 per day | Up to 150 days total per calendar year |
| Up to 90 days | $125 | $3 per day | Up to 150 days total per calendar year |
Pre-Arrival Online Form — The Queue Shortcut
Nepal's Department of Immigration operates the Nepali Port online arrival form system. Completing this form before your flight generates a QR code that immigration officers scan on arrival, bypassing the paper form filling station — typically the first and slowest bottleneck in the visa queue at Tribhuvan airport.
The form takes 3–5 minutes to complete. You will need your passport details, intended length of stay, accommodation address in Nepal, and a passport-size photo (JPEG, under 1MB). Complete it any time after your flight is booked — even at the airport if you have Wi-Fi access before landing, though doing it in advance is preferable.
Step-by-Step: Tribhuvan Airport Visa on Arrival
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is Nepal's only international airport for commercial flights. Here is the complete arrival sequence from plane to exit:
Follow signs to "Visa on Arrival" — not "Immigration"
After deplaning, follow the signs for visa on arrival. Do not proceed directly to the immigration counters — you must obtain your visa sticker first. The visa area is before the main immigration hall.
Complete the arrival form (or scan your pre-filled QR code)
If you completed the Nepali Port form before arrival, scan your QR code at the kiosk. If not, take a paper form from the tables in the arrival area and fill it in — you need: full name, passport number, nationality, intended stay duration, and first accommodation address in Nepal.
Join the payment queue — card counter recommended
There are separate queues for card payment and cash. Card is almost always faster — the cash queue requires change-making and sometimes currency exchange, which slows everything down. Visa and Mastercard are reliably accepted. See payment details in the next section.
Receive your visa sticker
The officer will take your form, check your passport, process payment, and affix a visa sticker to your passport. You will also receive a small receipt — keep this. The sticker shows your permitted stay dates, which are counted from today's date.
Proceed to immigration and then baggage claim
With visa in passport, join the immigration queue. Present your passport, the completed arrival form, and your outbound/onward travel evidence if asked. After the immigration stamp, proceed to baggage claim. Total time from plane to exit: typically 45–90 minutes depending on queue length.
Payment Methods — Which Is Fastest
The visa counter accepts multiple payment methods. Your choice makes a significant difference to how long you wait in the queue.
Queue Times: When Is Tribhuvan Airport Busiest?
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) handles roughly 7–9 million passengers per year across a single terminal building originally designed for far lower capacity. The visa on arrival and immigration areas are the principal bottlenecks. The following queue times are based on traveller reports collected between January and May 2026:
The 09:00–13:00 and 17:00–21:00 windows are consistently the busiest, coinciding with long-haul morning arrivals from the Middle East and Europe, and afternoon arrivals from Southeast Asia. Late-night arrivals (21:00–06:00) are significantly faster — the terminal is quiet and counters are fully staffed with a fraction of the passenger volume.
During peak trekking season (October–November and March–April), add 15–30 minutes to the above estimates. During major international events or Nepal public holidays, the Department of Immigration sometimes opens additional temporary counters, which can partially offset volume increases.
Land Border Entry
Nepal shares land borders with India and China. For most tourists, the India–Nepal land crossings are the practical route — they are well-established, see high tourist volume, and operate the same visa on arrival system as the airport. The Tibet–Nepal border crossing at Kodari/Tatopani is technically operational but access from the Tibet side requires a Tibet Travel Permit and special group tour; it is not a standard tourist entry point.
Active India–Nepal Border Crossings
The visa on arrival process at land crossings is identical to the airport: complete the arrival form, pay the fee (USD card or cash accepted at most crossings, though Sunauli–Belahiya has the most reliable card terminal), receive your visa sticker, and proceed through immigration.