# How to Get a Nepal Tourist Visa on Arrival in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide

> Step by step for getting a Nepal tourist visa at Kathmandu airport in 2026 — kiosk process, fees, photo requirements, and common mistakes.

_Published: 2026-04-23 · Updated: 2026-05-19 · Reading time: 3 min · Words: 621_

## TL;DR

Most nationalities can get a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport (TIA) in 2026. Use the kiosk to fill the form, pay fees at the bank counter (USD cash preferred), submit documents at the visa desk, and clear immigration. Fees: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days. Indian nationals are visa-free.

## Key takeaways

- 15 days: USD 30. 30 days: USD 50. 90 days: USD 125. (2026 rates)
- Bring USD cash — card payment is unreliable at the counter.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival.
- Indian nationals do not need a visa.
- Can be extended in Kathmandu Immigration Office up to 150 days/calendar year.

**To get a Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport in 2026: (1) use the self-service kiosk to fill the online form and upload a photo, (2) pay the fee at the bank counter (USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days), (3) take your printed receipt and passport to the visa officer desk, and (4) proceed through immigration. Total time 20–45 minutes depending on queue.**

## Article

### Who can get visa on arrival
Most nationalities qualify for Nepal visa on arrival, including: US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, China, most Southeast Asian nations, and most of South America. A short list of nationalities must apply for a visa in advance via Nepal embassies abroad — check the Department of Immigration website for the current list.

Exceptions: Indian citizens do not need a visa — a valid passport (or voter ID/Aadhaar for some entry points) is sufficient. Tibetan and Chinese passport holders face additional procedures.

### Before you arrive
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
- One blank passport page for the visa stamp.
- USD cash — $30, $50, or $125 exact if possible. Higher denominations are accepted but change is given in NPR.
- One passport-sized color photo (backup — the kiosk can take a webcam photo).
- Completed online visa pre-form (optional but speeds things up) — fill at https://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np before arrival.

### Step-by-step at Tribhuvan International Airport

#### Step 1: Kiosks
After immigration hall entry, find the visa-on-arrival kiosks (usually 8–12 machines along the right side). Each has a touchscreen.

- Select language.
- Enter passport details (or scan passport if prompted).
- Enter travel information: flight number, intended stay duration, hotel address.
- Take a webcam photo OR skip if you already have a paper photo.
- Print the receipt.
Tip: if you filled the online form before arrival, enter your submission number to skip manual data entry.

#### Step 2: Bank counter — pay fee
Take the printed kiosk receipt to the bank counter (separate from the visa desk). Pay:

- 15 days: USD 30
- 30 days: USD 50
- 90 days: USD 125
USD cash is the most reliable. Cards sometimes fail due to network issues. Euro, GBP, AUD, CAD, and several other currencies are accepted at current exchange rates. The bank stamps the receipt.

#### Step 3: Visa officer desk
Take the stamped receipt, your passport, and any supporting documents to the visa officer desk. Officer verifies, stamps your passport with the visa, and hands it back.

#### Step 4: Immigration
Proceed to the regular immigration counter. Standard entry stamp goes in on top of the visa. Done.

### Typical wait times
- Off-peak mornings: 15-20 minutes total.
- Peak afternoon/evening arrivals (October-November): 45-90 minutes.

### Common mistakes
- Bringing only credit card — payment terminals fail regularly. Always have USD cash.
- Passport with less than 6 months validity — you'll be turned back at check-in before boarding.
- Forgetting to select multi-entry on the kiosk if you plan to exit Nepal and return (India border hop, for instance). Multi-entry does not cost more.
- Declaring a 30-day intention then overstaying — visa extensions are available but the Department of Immigration is strict about unpaid overstays (fines from USD 5/day).

### Extending your visa
If you decide to stay longer, extend at the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) or Pokhara:

- Extension fee: USD 3/day, minimum 15 days.
- Maximum cumulative stay: 150 days per calendar year.
- Bring passport, photo, visa fee, and completed application.
- Processing: same-day.

### Overstay fines
If you overstay without extending: USD 5/day up to 30 days, then escalating fines and possible entry-ban consequences. Pay the fine on departure at the airport immigration desk.

### If you need a pre-approved visa
Apply at your local Nepali embassy 4+ weeks before travel. Typical fees are similar to VoA. Required for a short list of nationalities; also recommended if you have a complex visa history or are entering via a land border where VoA is not always available.

### Land border entry
Visa on arrival is available at major land borders: Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Nepalgunj, Sunauli, and a few others. Process is similar but fewer kiosks — expect longer waits. Confirm your specific border allows VoA before traveling.

## Steps

1. **Prepare documents** — Bring a passport valid 6+ months, USD cash ($30/$50/$125), one blank passport page, and one passport-sized photo (backup).
2. **Use airport kiosk** — At Tribhuvan International Airport arrivals hall, locate a visa-on-arrival kiosk. Select language, enter passport and flight details, take a webcam photo, and print the receipt.
3. **Pay at bank counter** — Take the kiosk receipt to the bank counter. Pay USD 30, 50, or 125 depending on duration (15/30/90 days). Get the receipt stamped.
4. **Submit at visa desk** — Bring stamped receipt, passport, and photo to the visa officer. Officer stamps the visa into your passport.
5. **Clear immigration** — Proceed to the immigration counter. Officer stamps entry on top of the visa. Collect luggage.

## FAQ

### Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?

Most nationalities can, including US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, and most of Asia. A short list of nationalities must apply in advance at a Nepal embassy. Check the Department of Immigration website for the current list.

### How much is Nepal visa on arrival in 2026?

USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, USD 125 for 90 days. Prices in 2026 are subject to change — always confirm on the Nepal Department of Immigration website before travel.

### Do Indians need a visa for Nepal?

No. Indian citizens are visa-free for Nepal and need only a valid Indian passport (or voter ID/Aadhaar for certain land entry points). No visa stamp is given at the airport.

### Can I pay for Nepal visa with credit card?

Sometimes, but card payment fails regularly due to network issues at the airport counter. USD cash is the reliable option. Other currencies (Euro, GBP, AUD, CAD) are accepted at current exchange rates.

### What if my passport is expiring soon?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date. If it expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding at your origin airport. Renew at home before traveling.

### Can I extend my Nepal visa?

Yes, at the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Extension costs USD 3 per day with a 15-day minimum. Maximum cumulative stay is 150 days per calendar year. Same-day processing with passport, photo, and fee.

## Sources

1. [Department of Immigration Nepal — Official](https://www.immigration.gov.np/) — Government of Nepal
2. [Online Visa Application — Department of Immigration](https://online.nepalimmigration.gov.np/) — Government of Nepal
3. [Tribhuvan International Airport — Arrivals](https://tiairport.com.np/) — Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal