🇳🇵 Nepal visa requirements

Most passports get 30 days on arrival in Nepal. You'll pay $30 USD for it. The trick isn't getting in; it's understanding the rules once you're there.

Who walks in visa-free (and who doesn't)

For most Western travellers, getting a visa for Nepal is straightforward. If you're from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or EU countries, you'll get a 30-day tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. It costs $30 USD. You can extend this for up to 120 days total per year, for a fee.

Other nationalities might have different rules. Some countries have visa exemption agreements, meaning their citizens don't need a visa for short stays. Conversely, a few nations require you to obtain a visa before arriving in Nepal, often through an embassy or consulate. Always check the latest list from the Department of Immigration Nepal before you book anything. Don't assume you're on the free list.

Stacking days and avoiding penalties

Your initial 30-day visa is easy to get. The complication arises if you want to stay longer. You can extend your tourist visa up to a maximum of 150 days within a single calendar year. The first extension is usually for 30 days, costing around $50 USD. Subsequent extensions are typically for 30 days as well, at roughly $30 USD each. This means you can get a total of 150 days per year on a tourist visa.

Here's where people get burned: overstaying. Nepal is strict about this. If you overstay your visa, you'll face a penalty. The standard fine is $2 USD per day for the first 30 days of overstay. After 30 days, the fine jumps to $5 USD per day. You might also face deportation or be banned from re-entering the country for a period. Make sure your passport has an exit stamp from your last stay; immigration officials sometimes check this. If you plan multiple entries within a year, keep track of your total days.

Working remotely on a tourist stamp

Nepal's official stance on working remotely on a tourist visa is, let's say, grey. Technically, a tourist visa is for tourism. It doesn't permit employment or running a business within Nepal. However, enforcement is spotty, especially for foreigners working on laptops in cafes or co-working spaces in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The authorities are generally more concerned with direct employment or business activities that compete with local enterprises.

Most digital nomads operate on a tourist visa without issues. You're not formally employed by a Nepali company, and your income comes from abroad. The key is to avoid drawing attention. Don't engage in activities that clearly violate the spirit of a tourist visa, like setting up a shop or offering services directly to the Nepali public. If questioned, simply state you are a tourist enjoying the country. The Department of Immigration doesn't have a specific digital nomad visa, so this is the de facto route.

What's new with Nepal's visas?

Nepal introduced an eVisa system in late 2023, aiming to streamline the application process for certain nationalities. While the visa-on-arrival remains for many, the eVisa portal is meant to offer a pre-approval option, potentially speeding up entry for those who apply in advance. The fees and durations for the eVisa largely mirror the on-arrival options: 30, 90, or 150 days for tourist visas.

There have been minor adjustments to visa fees over the past 18 months, so it's always wise to check the official Department of Immigration Nepal website for the most current pricing before you travel. The core structure of the tourist visa hasn't changed dramatically, but the addition of the eVisa is the most significant recent development. Keep an eye on their site for any updates regarding new visa categories or policy shifts.