Nepal Visa for Trekkers: Fees, Rules and How to Apply
Most trekkers get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport. It costs USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days or USD 125 for 90 days, and all three are multiple entry. Fill in the online arrival form before you fly, bring a passport with at least six months’ validity and pay in cash, ideally US dollars.
For most two-week treks, choose the 30-day visa. A 15-day visa is usually too tight once you add arrival, departure and a spare day for flight delays.
- Where to get it: on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, or at a Nepal embassy before you travel
- Fees: USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days), USD 125 (90 days)
- Entry type: multiple entry
- Passport: at least six months’ validity
- Payment: cash, ideally US dollars in clean notes
- Online form: fill it in before you fly to save time at the airport
- Extensions: USD 45 for the first 15 days, then USD 3 a day
- Maximum stay: 150 days in a calendar year
- Free visas: children under 10 (not US citizens), SAARC citizens on their first visit of the year (except Afghanistan) and Chinese nationals
- No visa on arrival for: 12 countries, listed below
Last updated: October 2026
In this guide
Nepal Visa Fees
| Visa | Fee | Entry |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | USD 30 | Multiple |
| 30 days | USD 50 | Multiple |
| 90 days | USD 125 | Multiple |
The days count from the day you arrive in Nepal. Fees can change, so check the Department of Immigration before you travel.
Which Visa to Choose for Your Trek
Count your days in Nepal from the day you land to the day you fly out, not just the trekking days. Then add a spare day or two for flight delays, especially on treks that use the Lukla or Jomsom flights.
| Trek | Trip length | Visa we suggest |
|---|---|---|
| Ghorepani Poon Hill | 9 days | 15 days, if you add no extra days |
| Everest Base Camp | 14 days | 30 days |
| Annapurna Base Camp | 14 days | 30 days |
| Manaslu Circuit | 15 days | 30 days |
| Annapurna Circuit | 16 days | 30 days |
| Upper Mustang | 16 days | 30 days |
| Upper Dolpo | 24 days | 30 days |
| Two treks, or a trek plus touring | 30+ days | 90 days, or 30 days plus an extension |
Our 14-day treks only fit inside a 15-day visa if every flight runs on time and you fly home the day you finish. That’s risky, so we nearly always suggest the 30-day visa.
How to Get a Visa on Arrival
At Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu:
- Fill in the online arrival form before you fly, or at the kiosks in the arrival hall.
- Pay the visa fee at the payment counter. Bring cash, ideally US dollars in clean notes. Torn or marked notes can be refused.
- Take your receipt and form to the immigration desk. The officer puts the visa in your passport and stamps you in.
Queues can be long at busy times, so filling in the form before you fly saves a lot of time.
You can also get a visa on arrival at the main land borders with India, including Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa (Sunauli), Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Mahendranagar, and at the Kerung and Kodari crossings with Tibet.
The Online Arrival Form
Fill in the online arrival form on the Department of Immigration website shortly before you travel. You upload a passport copy and a passport photo, and you get a confirmation with a barcode. Print it or save it on your phone.
Use only the official government website. Ignore other sites that offer to “process” your Nepal visa for a fee.
Getting a Visa Before You Travel
You can also get a tourist visa at a Nepal embassy or consulate before you fly. You fill in the same online form, then take your passport, confirmation slip and fee to the embassy. Processing usually takes a few working days. Check your nearest embassy’s website for its exact process and opening hours.
Most trekkers don’t need to do this. The visa on arrival is quicker and costs the same.
Extending Your Visa
You can extend a tourist visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or the immigration office in Pokhara.
- First 15 days: USD 45
- Each extra day after that: USD 3
- Maximum stay: 150 days in a calendar year
Extend before your visa runs out. Overstaying brings a daily fine on top of the extension fee, and it can cause problems when you leave. If a delay on your trek pushes you close to your visa end date, tell us and we’ll help you sort it out in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Who Can’t Get a Visa on Arrival
Citizens of these countries need a visa from a Nepal embassy before they travel: Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (Swaziland), Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan and Syria. Refugees travelling on travel documents also need a visa in advance.
Free Visas
These travellers get a free tourist visa:
- Children under 10, except US citizens
- SAARC citizens, for up to 30 days on their first visit of the year, except Afghan citizens
- Chinese nationals
- Holders of a Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) card
Visa vs Trekking Permits
Your visa lets you into Nepal. It doesn’t let you trek. Each trekking area needs its own permits, like the Sagarmatha National Park permit for Everest or ACAP for Annapurna. Restricted areas like Manaslu and Upper Mustang also need a special permit and a licensed guide.
When you book with us, we arrange your trekking permits. You just bring your passport and a few passport photos. See our guides to Nepal trekking permits and whether you need a guide to trek in Nepal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Yes, most nationalities can, at Kathmandu airport and the main land borders. Citizens of 12 countries need to apply in advance.
How much is a Nepal tourist visa?
USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days and USD 125 for 90 days.
Which Nepal visa do I need for a two-week trek?
The 30-day visa. With arrival, departure and a spare day for flight delays, 15 days is usually too tight.
Can I pay for my Nepal visa by card?
Bring cash to be safe, ideally US dollars in clean notes. Card payment isn’t always available at the airport.
Can I extend my visa in Pokhara?
Yes. The immigration office in Pokhara handles extensions, as does the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu.
Do I need a visa and trekking permits?
Yes, you need both. Your visa covers entry into Nepal, and trekking permits cover the trekking area.
What do I need to bring for my Nepal visa?
A passport with at least six months’ validity, your online form confirmation and the fee in cash. A spare passport photo is handy.
