American citizens visiting Nepal — 5-year Reciprocity (US)
Yes. American citizens have a unique Reciprocity track matching the US 5-year B1/B2 visa: 5-year multi-entry Tourist Reciprocity ($160), 3-year Working Reciprocity ($190), 5-year Study Reciprocity, and 5-year Press Reciprocity ($160). They can also use the standard Tourist VoA ($30 / $50 / $125) for shorter trips.
Updated · May 16, 2026
United States of America → Nepal
5-year Reciprocity (US)5-year reciprocity track — $160 Tourist, $190 Working, plus standard Tourist VoA.
- US citizens have a UNIQUE Reciprocity track matching the US 5-year B1/B2 visa: 5-year multi-entry Tourist Reciprocity ($160), 3-year Working Reciprocity ($190), 5-year Study Reciprocity, and 5-year Press Reciprocity ($160). Stay limit is 180 days per visa year.
- US citizens can also use the standard Tourist VoA ($30 / $50 / $125) if they prefer a single short trip.
- Children under 10 of US citizens are NOT eligible for free Tourist visas (the gratis-children rule excludes US nationals).
Eligible Nepal visa types
tourist
Tourist Visa
Sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and family.
Fee: $30 / $50 / $125
Stay: 15, 30, or 90 days per visa. Max 150 days total stay per visa year (Jan–Dec).
visa-on-arrival
Visa on Arrival (Tourist)
The standard arrival path for ~165 nationalities — fill the online form (or use airport kiosk), pay at the bank counter, get the sticker.
Fee: $30 / $50 / $125
Stay: 15 / 30 / 90 days; multi-entry; extendable up to 150 days/year.
reciprocity-tourist-us
Tourist Reciprocity Visa (US)
US citizens and dependants — reciprocal arrangement matching the US 5-year B1/B2 visitor visa.
Fee: $160
Stay: 5-year visa with 180 days max stay per visa year.
reciprocity-working-us
Working Reciprocity Visa (US)
US citizens working in Nepal, plus dependants — reciprocal 3-year working track.
Fee: $190
Stay: 3-year visa, stay limit aligned with working period.
reciprocity-study-us
Study Reciprocity Visa (US)
US students in Nepal, plus dependants — reciprocal 5-year study track aligned with academic programme.
Fee: school-tier-based
Stay: 5-year visa; stay limit aligned with academic programme.
reciprocity-press-us
Press Reciprocity Visa (US)
US journalists and press representatives, plus dependants — reciprocal 5-year press track.
Fee: $160
Stay: 5-year visa.
business
Business Visa
Investors and businesspeople investing in or operating a business in Nepal.
Fee: $20–35/mo · $200–400/yr · $500–1000 / 5-yr · free for ≥NPR 1B invest
Stay: Up to 5 years per grant.
transit
Transit Visa
Foreign nationals transiting through Nepal en route to a third country, max 24 hours.
Fee: $5
Stay: Maximum 24 hours.
Where to apply (nearest Nepali mission)
Embassy of Nepal — Washington, D.C.
2730 34th Place NW, Washington, D.C. 20008, United States
- Phone
- +1 202 667 4550
- [email protected]
- Hours
- Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 (Consular: 09:30–13:00)
Application — step by step
- 1
Pre-fill arrival form
Fill the online arrival form at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/visa/online — receipt is valid 15 days; print and bring the barcode.
- 2
Arrive at TIA / land border
Bring your passport, the printed receipt, one photo, and cash USD for the fee. Use the airport kiosk if you skipped the online form.
- 3
Pay at the bank counter
Pay $30 / $50 / $125 at the bank counter inside the immigration hall. Cards accepted at TIA; some land borders are cash-only.
- 4
Hand in to immigration officer
Present passport + bank receipt + arrival form to the Immigration Officer for the visa sticker.
Need help? Yatra For Fun handles your Nepal arrival logistics
From hotel and apartment bookings to airport pickup, sightseeing tours, and trekking permits — we issue a single NPR invoice and a Kathmandu concierge stays on call throughout your visit.
Frequently asked questions
Everything American travellers ask before applying for a Nepal visa — fees, on-arrival eligibility, documents, extension rules.
Do American citizens need a visa for Nepal?
Yes. American citizens have a unique Reciprocity track matching the US 5-year B1/B2 visa: 5-year multi-entry Tourist Reciprocity ($160), 3-year Working Reciprocity ($190), 5-year Study Reciprocity, and 5-year Press Reciprocity ($160). They can also use the standard Tourist VoA ($30 / $50 / $125) for shorter trips.
How much is the Nepal visa fee for American citizens?
Tourist Reciprocity: $160 for 5 years. Working Reciprocity: $190 for 3 years. Press Reciprocity: $160 for 5 years. Standard Tourist VoA: $30 / $50 / $125 for 15 / 30 / 90 days.
Where do American citizens apply for a Nepal visa?
Pre-fill the online arrival form at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/visa/online (saves queue time at TIA), then pay the visa fee at the bank counter on arrival at TIA Kathmandu or any of the 7 land borders. Alternatively, lodge in advance at any Nepali Embassy abroad — for American applicants, that is Embassy of Nepal — Washington, D.C..
What documents do American citizens need for Nepal visa?
Valid passport (6+ months validity, 2+ blank pages), one passport-size photo, confirmed return / onward ticket, proof of funds (rule of thumb: USD 50–100 per day of stay), and the printed online arrival form receipt with barcode.
Can American citizens extend their Nepal Tourist Visa?
Yes — at Department of Immigration (Kathmandu Kalikasthan) and Immigration Office Pokhara. Rate: $3 per day with a 15-day minimum, plus $25 surcharge to renew multi-entry. Late fine $5 per day past expiry. Maximum total stay 150 days per visa year (Jan–Dec).
Can American citizens get a Nepal Business or Working visa?
Yes — but only via the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu (not at airport). Business Visa: $20–35 per month based on investment tier (free for investments ≥ NPR 1 billion). Working Visa: $30–75 per month, requires a work permit from Department of Labour and a recommendation letter from the line ministry. Apply at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/.
Sources
- · https://www.immigration.gov.np/en/post/visa-fee-and-documents-1 — Department of Immigration: full Visa Fee and Documents table (13 categories, official fees in USD)
- · https://www.immigration.gov.np/en/page/visa-on-arrival — Department of Immigration: Visa on Arrival page (restricted-12 list, gratis rules, fee table)
- · https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/visa/online — Nepaliport: arrival kiosk pre-fill form (15-day cache)
- · https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/onlinevisa-mission/application — Nepaliport: pre-arrival visa via Nepali Embassy abroad
- · https://mofa.gov.np/pages/diplomatic-missions-25/ — Ministry of Foreign Affairs: list of all 43 Nepali Embassies, Permanent Missions, and Consulates General
- · Immigration Act 2049 (1992) + Immigration Regulations 2051 (1994) — governing legislation