Most foreign trekkers need a Nepal tourist visa, which is usually obtained on arrival at the airport or applied for online before travel. Indian citizens do not need a visa but should carry valid photo ID such as a passport or voter ID. Visa rules and fees change, so confirm the current requirement before you travel.
Who needs a visa and who does not
Citizens of most countries need a visa to enter Nepal as a tourist. A small number of nationalities have special arrangements, and you should check yours with the Nepali embassy or the immigration department before you fly. Indian citizens are in a different position. They can enter Nepal without a visa, by air or by land, under a long-standing arrangement between the two countries.
If you travel on a foreign passport but are of Indian origin, the visa-free arrangement does not automatically apply to you. The rule is based on citizenship, not heritage. Keep this in mind if you hold, for example, an overseas citizenship card, and check what you need before you book.
How the tourist visa is usually obtained
Most visitors get the visa in one of two ways. The first is on arrival at Kathmandu airport, where there are machines or counters for completing a form and paying the fee. The second is applying online in advance, which lets you fill in your details at home and show a printed confirmation at immigration.
Both routes have worked well for many trekkers, but queues at the airport can be long when several flights land together. Applying online first can save time. Land border crossings also issue visas, though the process and the accepted payment methods can differ from the airport. Fees and the way they are paid change, so confirm the current details with the official channels. We cannot issue the visa for you.
Passport validity and photographs
Your passport should be valid for well beyond the end of your stay. Many countries ask for several months of validity, and Nepal's own requirement has been set by the immigration department, so check the current wording. Also make sure you have blank pages, because stamps and visa stickers take space.
Carry a few passport-size photographs. You will need them for permits and trekker registration even if the visa itself is applied for online. A scan of your passport photo page, stored on your phone and emailed to yourself, helps if the original is lost. Send us a clear copy too, since we use it for permit applications before you arrive.
Visa length and trek timing
Tourist visas are issued for different lengths, and the longer ones cost more. Choose a length that covers your trek, your days in Kathmandu and some spare days for weather. Mountain flights get delayed, and a short visa leaves you with no room for that.
If you stay longer than planned, extensions are possible at the immigration office, but they involve paperwork and fees. It is simpler to pick a slightly longer visa than to queue for an extension. Do not plan a trek so tight that one delayed day pushes you past your visa. Fees change, so we do not list amounts here and suggest you confirm the current figure with the official channels.
What Indian citizens should carry instead
Indian citizens do not need a visa but should carry valid photo ID such as a passport or voter ID. Acceptance of other documents has varied over time and between airlines, so the passport is the safest choice. Children travelling with parents may need extra proof of age or relationship, so check the airline and immigration guidance.
On the trail, checkposts also ask for ID when they inspect permits, so keep the document in a waterproof pouch with your permits. Take photocopies and a phone photo as a back-up. Rules change, so confirm before you travel, especially if you plan to enter by road rather than by air.
Common questions
Do Indian citizens need a visa for Nepal?
No. Indian citizens can enter Nepal without a visa but should carry valid photo ID such as a passport or voter ID. Rules change, so confirm the current requirement with your airline before you travel.
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Many nationalities can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport, and online pre-application is also available. Requirements change, so check official sources for your nationality before you fly.
How early should I apply for a Nepal visa?
If you apply online, doing so shortly before travel is usually enough, but follow the official guidance for your nationality. For a restricted area trek, send passport copies to us much earlier, because those permits take longer.
Does the visa cover trekking permits?
No. The visa only allows entry to Nepal. Trek permits such as the trekker registration card and park entry are separate and are arranged through your agency. Our packages include them.
