12 Types of Visa in Nepal & Visa Fees (2026 Complete Guide)
Insights & Analysis
12 Types of Visa in Nepal & Visa Fees: Complete Guide for Foreign Travelers
Advocate Suman Dhungana • Jul 28, 2026
Insights & Analysis
— Sherpa Law
Nepal issues several different types of visas depending on why a foreign national is entering the country, whether that's tourism, business, study, work, or a family relationship with a Nepali citizen. The main categories include:
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Study Visa
Working Visa
Press Visa
Relation Visa
Marriage Visa
Residential Visa
Transit Visa
Diplomatic Visa
Official Visa
NRN Visa
Each serves a distinct purpose, comes with its own eligibility rules, and carries different visa charges.
This guide walks through all 12 visa types, including eligibility, required documents, visa fees, renewal costs, and the online application process, so you know exactly which visa applies to you before you travel.
1. Tourist Visa
The Tourist Visa is the most common type of visa issued in Nepal, covering travellers visiting for leisure, sightseeing, trekking, or short personal visits. It's available as a Visa on Arrival Nepal at major entry points, or through the Nepal visa online application before departure.
Tourist Visa Fees
Duration
Visa Fee
15 Days
US$30
30 Days
US$50
90 Days
US$125
The Tourist Visa includes multiple entry as standard, so you don't need to reapply if you leave and re-enter Nepal within your visa's validity period. The visa fee is payable in USD, or another convertible currency, and international cards are generally accepted at major entry points.
2. Business Visa
The Business Visa is intended for eligible investors and business owners who need to enter Nepal to manage, establish, or expand a registered company. Applicants generally need proof of company registration and, in most cases, evidence of the investment amount involved.
How Much Does a Business Visa Cost in Nepal?
Investment
Fee
Over NRs 100 million
US$20/month, US$200/year, US$500/5 years
NRs 100 million or less
US$35/month, US$400/year, US$1,000/5 years
NRs 1,000 million or more
Free
If you're planning to set up a new company in Nepal as part of your Business Visa application, our guide oncompany registration in Nepal walks through that process in detail.
3. Study Visa
The Study Visa covers degree students, non-degree students, researchers, teachers, and their dependents who are studying or working at a recognised Nepali institution.
Study Visa Cost
Degree programs: US$30/month
Non-degree: US$75/month
Teaching & Research: US$50/month
Bhutanese nationals: US$15/month
Maldivian nationals: US$25/year
Bangladeshi nationals: US$15/year
Sri Lankan & Pakistani nationals: Free
Family members: US$10/month
Study Visas are generally renewed annually, and renewal typically requires evidence of continued enrolment or academic progress at the sponsoring institution.
4. Working Visa
The Working Visa applies to foreign nationals employed in Nepal, and eligibility depends on holding a valid labour permit, a recommendation from the relevant ministry, a signed employment contract, and tax clearance confirming your employer's compliance status.
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Working Visa Cost
Government-affiliated organisations: US$30/month
Donor-funded organisations: US$50/month
Other organisations: US$75/month
Re-entry charges also apply: a single re-entry costs US$20, while multiple re-entries cost US$60.
5. Press Visa
The Press Visa is issued to journalists and media professionals working in Nepal, at a fee of US$15/month.
6. Relation Visa
The Relation Visa is available to direct relatives and foreign relatives of Nepali citizens, and applicants need to provide relationship documents confirming the family connection.
Standard rate: US$10/month
Alternative rate (depending on relationship category): US$25/month
7. Marriage Visa
The Marriage Visa is granted to a foreign spouse married to a Nepali citizen. Applicants need a valid marriage registration certificate along with citizenship documents confirming their Nepali spouse's status.
Fee: US$15/month
Re-entry charges apply in the same way as other non-tourist visa categories, so it's worth confirming the current rate before travelling if you plan to leave and return to Nepal during your visa's validity.
8. Residential Visa
The Residential Visa suits investors, retirees, and internationally recognised individuals who wish to reside in Nepal on a long-term basis, generally subject to specific financial and legal eligibility requirements.
Fee: US$1,200/year
9. Transit Visa
The Transit Visa is for travellers passing through Nepal en route to another destination, with a maximum stay of 24 hours.
Fee: US$5
10. Diplomatic Visa
The Diplomatic Visa is issued to eligible diplomats and their recognised family members, and is provided free of charge.
11. Official Visa
The Official Visa is granted to government officials travelling to Nepal for official business, and is also free of charge.
12. NRN Visa
The NRN Visa is available to Non-Resident Nepali individuals, and is issued free of charge.
What Is a Nepal Tourist Visa?
A Nepal Tourist Visa is available to almost all foreign nationals, either as a Visa on Arrival Nepal at recognised entry points or through advance application. It comes with a multiple entry facility, meaning you can leave and re-enter Nepal within your visa's validity without needing a new application. There are maximum stay rules attached to each duration option, though extensions are available if you need more time. If your circumstances change during your stay, in many cases you can later change to another visa category, such as a Study or Working Visa, provided you meet that category's eligibility requirements.
How Does Visa on Arrival in Nepal Work?
Visa on Arrival is available to eligible nationalities at Nepal's major international airports and land border checkpoints. Nationals of most countries can apply directly on arrival, though some travellers benefit from completing the online pre-arrival application first to speed up processing. On arrival, an immigration officer verifies your documents, you pay the relevant visa fee, and your passport is stamped to confirm entry.
Visa on Arrival is available at:
Tribhuvan International Airport
Pokhara International Airport
Gautam Buddha International Airport
Recognised land entry points along Nepal's borders
How Can You Apply for a Nepal Visa Online?
The Nepal Visa Online Application allows travellers to complete their visa application before arriving in the country, which generally makes immigration clearance faster once you land. The process involves filling out the online application before travel, printing your confirmation, and carrying it along with your passport to the airport or border checkpoint. You still pay your visa fee on arrival, since this online application process is not the same as an eVisa system; it simply pre-lodges your details ahead of time.
What Documents Are Required for a Nepal Entry Visa?
A valid passport, with sufficient remaining validity
A passport-size photograph
A completed visa application form
Payment for the applicable visa fee
Supporting documents relevant to your specific visa category, where applicable
Evidence of a previous Nepal visa, if you've held one before
Additional documents depend heavily on which visa category you're applying for, so it's worth checking the specific requirements for your visa type well before you travel.
What Are the Visa Fees in Nepal for Every Visa Type?
Visa Type
Fee
Tourist Visa
US$30 / US$50 / US$125
Working Visa
US$30 to US$75/month
Press Visa
US$15/month
Relation Visa
US$10 to US$25/month
Marriage Visa
US$15/month
Study Visa
US$15 to US$75/month
Business Visa
Investment based
Residential Visa
US$1,200/year
Transit Visa
US$5
Diplomatic Visa
Free
Official Visa
Free
NRN Visa
Free
Fees vary depending on eligibility, nationality, and the specific visa category, and re-entry fees may apply on top of the base visa charge for several categories.
Who Can Get a Gratis Visa or Free Visa in Nepal?
A Gratis Visa is a visa issued free of charge to specific eligible groups, rather than under the standard fee structure. Eligible groups generally include:
Children below 10 years of age (except US citizens, who are required to pay the applicable fee regardless of age)
SAARC nationals, subject to certain conditions for Afghan nationals
Afghan nationals, with special approval from the Department of Immigration
Chinese nationals
NRN Card holders
Officials from China, Brazil, Russia, and Thailand under reciprocal agreements
It's also worth noting that Indian nationals do not require a Nepal visa at all to enter the country.
Which Nationalities Cannot Get a Visa on Arrival in Nepal?
Nationals of the following countries are generally not eligible for Visa on Arrival and must obtain a Nepal visa before arrival instead:
Nigeria
Ghana
Zimbabwe
Eswatini (Swaziland)
Cameroon
Somalia
Liberia
Ethiopia
Iraq
Palestine
Afghanistan
Iran
Syria
Refugees travelling on refugee travel documents
Travellers from these countries need to apply through a Nepali diplomatic mission or embassy before their trip, rather than relying on a Visa on Arrival at the airport or border.
How Can You Extend Your Nepal Visa?
Visa extensions are handled through the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. The minimum extension period is 15 days, with the following fees applying:
First 15 days: US$45
Each additional day beyond that: US$3 per day
Late penalty: US$5 per day if you apply after your visa has already expired
The maximum tourist stay allowed is 150 days within a single visa year, so it's worth planning your extensions with that ceiling in mind if you intend to stay in Nepal for an extended period.
What Is the Difference Between Tourist, Business, Study and Working Visas?
Visa Type
Purpose
Duration
Fees
Renewal
Required Documents
Tourist
Leisure, sightseeing, short visits
15, 30 or 90 days
US$30 / US$50 / US$125
Extendable, up to 150 days per year
Passport, photo, application form
Business
Managing or investing in a registered company
Monthly, yearly, or 5-year terms
Investment based
Renewable based on ongoing business activity
Company registration documents, investment proof
Study
Studying or researching at a recognised institution
Typically 1 year
US$15 to US$75/month
Annual, with academic progress evidence
Enrolment confirmation, institution letter
Working
Employment in Nepal
Typically 1 year
US$30 to US$75/month
Annual, tied to employment contract
Labour permit, employment contract, tax clearance
What Should You Know Before Applying for a Nepal Visa?
Choose the correct visa type for your purpose of travel, since applying under the wrong category can cause delays or rejection.
Check your passport's remaining validity well before you travel.
Apply online before travel where possible, to speed up immigration clearance on arrival.
Carry all relevant supporting documents for your specific visa category.
Prepare your visa fee in an accepted payment method, generally USD or another convertible currency.
Understand the extension rules in advance if there's any chance you'll need to stay longer than planned.
Confirm your eligibility for Visa on Arrival based on your nationality before assuming it's available to you.
Review the latest Department of Immigration requirements before departure, since visa rules and fees can change.
How Can Sherpa Law Associates Help with Your Nepal Visa Application?
Sherpa Law Associates provides legal and immigration assistance to individuals and organisations navigating Nepal's visa system, working as an experienced visa consultant for both first-time applicants and long-term visa holders. Nepal immigration visa rules vary significantly depending on nationality, purpose of travel, and visa category, which makes professional guidance genuinely valuable rather than a nice-to-have.
Working with the best law firm in Nepal helps reduce processing delays, catches documentation errors before they become rejections, and ensures your application is filed under the correct visa category from the outset. Whether you're applying for your first Tourist Visa or managing a long-term Working or Residential Visa, our team provides guidance tailored to your situation.
We support a wide range of clients, including individuals, families, students, working professionals, investors, NGOs, journalists, and businesses. For matters that extend beyond visa applications into broader commercial or investment activity, our Corporate Lawyers & Commercial Law team andIndustry Law specialists can support the wider legal side of establishing or running a business in Nepal.
If you're ready to discuss your visa application with an experienced visa lawyer in Nepal,get in touch with our team to get started, or explore our full range of legal services.
Disclaimer: This article is published for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, legal opinion, or professional consultation. The information provided should not be relied upon as a substitute for obtaining legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances. Reading this article or using this website does not create a lawyer-client relationship. The firm and its members disclaim all liability for any loss or consequences arising from reliance on the information contained herein. If you require legal advice regarding your particular matter, please consult a qualified legal professional.
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