Every way into Nepal.

The standard entry route for visitors. Issued on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and at designated land border crossings, or in advance at a Nepalese diplomatic mission. Multiple-entry, with three fixed tariffs: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days; the gov_fee here reflects the 15-day option. A tourist may stay a cumulative maximum of 150 days within a single visa year (January-December); the on-arrival visa is granted up to 90 days and then extended at the Department of Immigration (Kathmandu/Pokhara) for at least 15 days at USD 45 plus USD 3 per additional day, up to the 150-day annual cap. Children under 10 receive a gratis (free) visa, and SAARC nationals (except Afghanistan) and Chinese nationals receive up to 30 days gratis on their first visit in a visa year. Nationals of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Eswatini (Swaziland), Syria and Zimbabwe are NOT eligible for visa on arrival and must apply at a Nepalese mission in advance. The tourist visa carries no work rights and does not convert to a residence permit.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

For foreign nationals transiting through Nepal who need to leave the airport and spend a night (up to 24 hours) before continuing onward. Issued at the transit visa desk at Tribhuvan International Airport on payment of USD 5, against proof of an onward air ticket. The visa is single-use for the transit only and confers no work, study or residence rights.

Government fee

$5

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

1 day

Validity

1 day

Nepal does not issue a distinct short-stay business-visit visa. The Department of Immigration advises that foreign nationals attending business meetings, conferences or exploratory commercial visits enter on the ordinary tourist visa (USD 30/15 days, USD 50/30 days, USD 125/90 days, multiple-entry, 150-day annual cap). The longer-term Business Visa is reserved for foreigners with an approved investment and registered enterprise in Nepal. Holders of the tourist visa may attend meetings but may not take up employment or carry on business operations in-country.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

Pilgrims (e.g. to Pashupatinath, Lumbini, Muktinath) and trekkers/mountaineers enter Nepal on the ordinary tourist visa; there is no separate pilgrimage category under the Immigration Rules. The same fee tariff applies (USD 30/15 days, USD 50/30 days, USD 125/90 days), multiple-entry, with a 150-day cumulative cap per visa year. Trekking and mountaineering additionally require separate permits issued by the Department of Tourism/Nepal Tourism Board and conservation entry fees, which are distinct from the visa. No work rights; does not lead to residence.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

1 day

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

For foreign students pursuing academic or non-academic study or research at recognised Nepalese institutions (e.g. Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu University, Rangjung Yeshe Institute). Issued by the Department of Immigration on the recommendation of the Ministry of Education, for up to one year at a time or the length of the course, renewed annually while the course continues. The visa fee is USD 20 for up to 15 days (half month) and USD 40 per month thereafter (min_income field shows the USD 3,000 academic bank-balance benchmark). Proof of funds is required: academic programmes need a bank balance of about USD 3,000 per year (plus about USD 2,000 per dependent per year); non-academic programmes need about USD 1,500 for six months (plus about USD 1,000 per dependent). Study time does not by itself create a permanent-residence right.

• Study: Permits enrolment at the recognised institution named in the recommendation.
• Family: Dependents may obtain dependent visas with proof of additional funds; spouse cannot work.

Government fee

$40

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

Min. income / month

$3,000

The only category permitting foreign nationals to accept a job and work in Nepal. Issued by the Department of Immigration (Non-Tourist Visa section) on three approvals: a recommendation from the concerned line-agency (the relevant Government Ministry), a Labour Permit from the Department of Labour, and a Work Agreement endorsed via the Ministry of Home Affairs (limited exceptions apply). A labour permit can only be obtained once the applicant has a confirmed job offer from a Nepalese employer. The visa fee is USD 30 for up to 15 days (half month) and USD 60 per month thereafter; the number of days granted follows the labour permit, and the visa is renewed annually in line with the permit. Children under 10 of the holder receive a gratis visa. A spouse accompanying a working-visa holder receives a dependent visa but is prohibited from employment.

• Work: Permits employment strictly with the sponsoring employer named in the labour permit.
• Family: Dependents get non-tourist dependent visas; spouse cannot work; under-10 children gratis.

Government fee

$60

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

Nepal has no separate 'golden visa' programme, but its investment-linked residence route functions as the equivalent. A foreign national investing at least USD 100,000 at once in a Nepalese industrial enterprise qualifies for a Residential Visa of up to five years, while approved foreign direct investment (minimum NPR 20 million / about USD 150,000 in most sectors, with no minimum for IT under the automatic route) is approved by the Department of Industry, or by the Investment Board Nepal for large projects. Major investors (over NPR 100 million) are exempt from business-visa fees. This is the principal route by which significant capital investment leads to long-term residence; it does not, of itself, grant citizenship, which is governed separately.

• Work: Permits oversight of the investor's own enterprise; general employment needs a working visa.
• Study: Investor and family may study subject to institutional enrolment.
• Residency: Residential visa up to 5 years, extendable; functions as investment-linked long-term residency.
• Family: Investor and accompanying family may obtain residential/dependent visas.

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,825 days

Min. investment

$100,000

Nepal's long-term residence route, granted to foreigners (and their families) intending to live in Nepal without carrying on day-to-day business. Two main qualifying grounds: (a) a one-time investment of at least USD 100,000 (or equivalent convertible foreign currency) in an industrial enterprise in Nepal (min_investment shows USD 100,000); or (b) being a person capable of rendering an outstanding contribution to Nepal's economic, social or cultural growth. The residential visa is issued for up to five years at a time and is extendable. Unlike the business visa, it is aimed at residence rather than active business operation, and represents the closest equivalent to long-term residency in Nepal's framework; it does not automatically confer citizenship, which is governed separately by the Citizenship Act.

• Study: Resident family members may study; formal enrolment may still require institutional registration.
• Residency: Up to 5 years, extendable; functions as Nepal's long-term residency, separate from citizenship under the Citizenship Act.
• Family: Foreigner and family may be granted residential visas together.

Processing time

30 days

Validity

1,825 days

Min. investment

$100,000

For foreign nationals who have obtained approval to invest in trade or industry in Nepal, their authorised representatives, exporters and third-country buyers of Nepalese goods. Foreign investment generally requires a minimum of NPR 20,000,000 (about USD 150,000; gov_fee field shows the USD 1,500/year reference fee, min_investment shows the USD 150,000 threshold) approved by the Department of Industry, with larger projects routed through the Investment Board Nepal; the IT sector has no minimum under the automatic route. Issued for a minimum of one month and up to five years, but the Department of Immigration typically grants one year, renewable annually. Annual visa fees are tiered by investment size: investment under NPR 10 million pays USD 35/month, USD 400/year or USD 1,000 for five years; investment over NPR 10 million pays USD 20/month, USD 200/year or USD 500 for five years; investment over NPR 100 million pays no visa fee. A business visa is a non-tourist category; it permits operating the enterprise but does not by itself lead to permanent residence or citizenship.

• Work: Permits managing/operating the applicant's own registered enterprise; not general employment.
• Residency: Investing USD 100,000+ at once can qualify separately for a Residential Visa; business visa itself is renewable but not PR.
• Family: Family members obtain dependent non-tourist visas on recommendation; spouse may not work.

Government fee

$400

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

Min. investment

$150,000

For dependents (spouse and children) accompanying a foreign national who holds a working, business, study or other non-tourist visa in Nepal. Issued on a recommendation letter from the concerned line-agency that lists each dependent's name, passport number and relationship to the main applicant. Generally tied to and co-terminous with the principal's visa, renewed annually alongside it. Children under 10 receive a gratis (free) visa; the dependent fee otherwise tracks the non-tourist tariff (USD 30 up to 15 days, USD 60/month). A dependent spouse is prohibited from taking up employment; to work, the spouse must independently obtain a working visa and labour permit.

• Family: Specifically for spouse and children of the principal; under-10 children gratis.

Government fee

$60

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

For a foreign national married to a Nepali citizen. Granted for a maximum of six months on first issue, then extendable for up to one year at a time thereafter. The marriage must be documented by a Marriage Registration Certificate from the District Administration Office or District Court (or, if married abroad, the foreign certificate plus a verification letter from the relevant embassy). The Nepali spouse must be present in person at the Department of Immigration at every renewal. A marriage visa is a long-stay family route and a foreign spouse of a Nepali citizen may, under the Citizenship Act, later seek naturalised citizenship subject to statutory conditions, though this is processed separately from the visa.

• Residency: Long-stay family route; naturalised citizenship is possible later under the Citizenship Act, processed separately.
• Family: Visa is for the foreign spouse; children may hold relation/dependent visas.

Processing time

15 days

Validity

180 days

For foreign nationals who are kin (relatives) of a Nepali citizen and wish to stay long-term in Nepal. The applicant must produce a Relationship Certificate issued by the local body establishing the relationship with the Nepali kin, the Nepali kin's citizenship certificate, and the applicant's passport with latest visa. The Nepali kin must not hold a foreign passport and must be present in person at the Department of Immigration for verification. Issued for up to one year and renewable annually. This is the route for relatives (parents, children, siblings) of Nepali citizens who are not themselves married to a Nepali (which uses the marriage visa).

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

For Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) - persons of Nepali origin holding foreign citizenship, and their families - who hold a valid NRN identity card issued under the Non-Resident Nepali Act/Rules. The NRN visa is issued both at the airport and at the Department of Immigration; it is free of charge for as long as the NRN card remains valid, with a USD 100 per year fee otherwise referenced for NRN-category stays, and a discounted USD 25 per year NRN study visa for students. Extended for a maximum of one year at a time. It allows persons of Nepali origin who have taken foreign nationality to live, and in practice invest, in Nepal under a facilitated regime; it operates separately from the residential and business visas.

• Work: NRNs enjoy facilitated rights to reside and invest; formal employment still follows non-tourist/labour rules.
• Study: Discounted NRN study visa (about USD 25/year) is available for NRN students.
• Residency: Tied to a valid NRN card; renewable yearly; persons of Nepali origin may pursue resumption of citizenship separately.
• Family: Family members of the NRN may obtain NRN-category visas.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

Issued gratis (free) to holders of diplomatic or official passports and to persons the Government of Nepal considers fit to be granted diplomatic or official privileges, on the recommendation of the relevant foreign diplomatic mission or international organisation. Officials of China, Brazil, Russia and Thailand are exempt from an entry visa under reciprocal visa-waiver agreements. The visa is typically aligned to the duration of the official assignment and renewed accordingly. This category is for government, diplomatic and inter-governmental postings rather than private travel, work or study.

• Work: Permits the official/diplomatic duties of the posting only.
• Family: Accompanying family of diplomats/officials receive corresponding visas.

Government fee

$0

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days

The umbrella non-tourist category for foreigners staying long-term for purposes other than tourism, where no more specific sub-category (business, study, working, marriage, relation) applies. It covers persons attached to NGOs/INGOs, religious or social institutions, technical experts and others recommended by the relevant Government line-agency. The standard fee is USD 30 for up to 15 days and USD 60 per month thereafter. Issued on the recommendation of the concerned Ministry, usually for up to one year and renewed annually. Children under 10 receive gratis visas. The non-tourist visa is a residence-type long stay permit but is not in itself a permanent-residence or citizenship route.

• Family: Dependents obtain dependent non-tourist visas on recommendation; under-10 children gratis.

Government fee

$60

Processing time

15 days

Validity

365 days