How do I get a visa to Nepal?
- For most countries of the world, in order to get to Nepal, it is enough to apply for a visa on arrival.
- 12 countries of the world must apply for a visa in advance: Afghanistan, Cameroon, eSwatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Zimbabwe.
- Only 1 country in the world has a visa - free regime with Nepal, this is India.
Ways to get a visa
- Visa on arrival. Tribhuvan International Airport is the only International Airport in Nepal that provides visas on arrival. Similarly, other entry and exit points established in the border regions also provide a” visa on arrival " to foreigners who are planning to enter Nepal by land.
- The visa is issued at the Diplomatic Mission (Embassy/Consulate) of the Government of Nepal.
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Tourist visa
An On Arrival visa is a “tourist visa”. If you are not visiting Nepal for tourist purposes (sightseeing, excursions, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families), you should still get a “tourist visa” to enter the country. However, you must change the visa category according to your purpose and length of stay in Nepal at the Immigration Department by providing the necessary documents.
List of documents:
- completed application form or electronic online form (valid for 15 days) on the official website of the Department of immigration (completed in English);
- an international passport that is valid for at least six months from the start of the visa validity period;
- a copy of the passport page with the applicant's data.;
- the last two identical photos are 3 x 4 cm in size;
- The copies of climbing or trekking permits, or other relevant permits (if available).
If you are traveling to Nepal with children, you will need the following documents:
- Child's birth certificate (original and copy).
- An international passport. The child can also be entered in the passport of one of the parents.
- The permission for the child to leave from one of the parents (in case of divorce).
- The permission from both parents (if the child is traveling accompanied by third parties).
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Extension or change of visa category
- Tourist visa extensions can also be made at the Pokhara Immigration Office.
- A non-tourist visa can only be extended at the Immigration Department (if it meets the requirements) for a maximum of one year (with the exception of a business visa).
Transit visa
Foreign citizens traveling in transit through Nepal can obtain a transit visa to enter the country, which is valid for 24 hours, by presenting proof of transit - an air ticket. Similarly, foreign citizens arriving in Nepal due to unfavorable circumstances, such as an emergency or emergency landing, can obtain a tourist visa if they want to leave the airport and visit the country.
Transit visa applicants must complete an online visa application (
link to the online visa application), pay the required visa fee at the bank's cash desk, and go to the transit visa counter upon arrival at the airport to obtain a visa
What documents are required to import an animal into the country?
- the animal must be implanted with a microchip that consists of 15 digits and complies with the ISO 11784/11785 standard. The microchip number must be displayed in the health certificate;
- the animal must have been vaccinated against rabies 30 days to 12 months before entering the country;
- a veterinary certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian in your country just before the trip;
- treatment for parasites before entry is not required, but it is better to do it;
- birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, amphibians, rodents are not subject to the requirements for rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements that should be specified in the relevant authorities of your country/country of destination.
Important! Before importing a pet (if it is not a dog, cat, or ferret), make sure that it is not protected by the International Convention on international trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES). If this is the case, then you will need to apply for additional documents.
Duty-free delivery can be made:
- 250 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 20 grams of tobacco;
- whiskey/wine no more than 1.15 liters or beer up to 12 bottles;
- fabrics and products for personal use;
- medicines for personal use in the amount of up to 10,000 NPR;
- food products in tin packages up to 1000 NPR;
- fresh fruit before 2000 NPR;
- 50 grams of gold jewelry and 100 grams of silver jewelry;
- up to 15 coils of film.
Important! When crossing Nepal, you will also need to indicate in your luggage a wristwatch, a movie or video camera, a tape recorder, a bicycle, a set of fountain pens, a radio and any electronic devices. All this can be carried only in the amount of one item of each type per person and only after filling out a declaration with the obligation to take your things back.
What is forbidden to import into Nepal:
- Drugs.
- Weapons and military equipment.
What is forbidden to export from Nepal:
- Nepalese Rupee (NPR). The national currency of Nepal is prohibited from being exported outside its borders. Therefore, the excess local money must be exchanged at one of the exchange offices at Kathmandu airport upon return. At the same time, you can exchange back no more than 15% of the amount that you exchanged for the local currency when entering the country. So don't forget to take a receipt when you change money at the entrance. Important! Keep in mind that currency can’t be exchanged at land border points at all, and the remaining local money may simply be withdrawn from you.
- Precious metals and stones.
- Wild animals. Representatives of the local fauna of Nepal are prohibited from being exported from the country. The same applies to products made of leather, fur, horns and claws of representatives of the local animal world.
- Drugs and raw materials for their manufacture. This category includes a variety of vegetable raw materials, from which narcotic drugs can be made.
Foreigners usually have no problems with the export of souvenirs. And if you have a special certificate, you can even bring antiques to your homeland, provided that their age is not older than a hundred years. But for all kinds of images of Gods, including paintings and metal figurines, you will need permission directly from the Department of Archaeology of Nepal.
Currency
- Without declaration, it is allowed to import currency no more than 2000 dollars USA. Currency can be exchanged at the airport of the Nepalese capital or exchange offices.
- You can export no more than the amount that you imported.
- However, only 10% of the amount you exchange for local currency in Nepal will be re-exchanged for foreign currency at the airport upon departure.
International Driving Permit (IDP) is required for governance in Nepal. But you can only ride with them for 15 days. In the future, you will need to obtain a local license. An international driver's license is also required to drive motorcycles.
Car rental in Nepal is carried out by two types of offices. If you rent a car directly at Kathmandu airport, you can do so from international companies. In this case, both payment and conditions will be standard, with insurance and other nuances of the lease agreement. In the capital itself and other cities of Nepal, car rental is provided by local companies.
For example, Sixt Nepal and Europcar. Both companies offer a wide range of rental vehicles, from mechanical to automatic, from compact to vans, and even from urban to off-road all-wheel drive vehicles.
Such rental offices are not very reliable, and their equipment often wants the best, so you need to inspect it carefully. Local companies prefer to give out the car together with the driver. Given the level of road quality in the country, this is a very relevant event.
The average car rental price in Nepal is from 2,000 to 7,000 NPR per move. However, this price is only valid if you agree to the services of a rental company driver. If you prefer to drive the car yourself, the rental price may increase several times.
Traffic rules in Nepal aren’t particularly observed, and local residents do not drive very carefully. This is not counting the animals that will go out on the road at any time. Speed limits in Nepal are observed more because of the low quality of roads than because of the rules. But before driving on local roads, you should consult about traffic fines in Nepal and other nuances of local driving.
Age requirements
To be able to drive a car in Nepal, you must be at least 18 years old when driving light and medium vehicles. You must be at least 21 years old to drive heavy vehicles, such as tourist buses.