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United Kingdom Visa for Nepali Citizens

Up-to-date United Kingdom visa requirements, processing time, and embassy info for Nepali passport holders. Yatra handles the full application — document review, dummy ticket, and tracking.

At a glance — United Kingdom Standard Visitor Visa — Tourism / Family Visit

Processing time
15 working days standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 500). Super Priority Service: 24 hours next-business-day (additional GBP 1,000) — limited slots, depends on UKVI Sheffield availability.
Stay duration
Up to 6 months per visit.
Visa validity
6 months single-entry (default for first-time applicants); OR 2-year / 5-year / 10-year multi-entry for repeat travellers with clean UK history.
Entries
Single (default) or Multiple.
Bank balance / financial proof
Bank statement (last 6 months) showing capacity for the trip — recommended ending balance NPR 5 lakh (5,00,000)+ for a typical 7–14-day UK trip — plus 3-year Income Tax Returns and an international credit card with 3-month statement. UKVI Sheffield Visa Officers reference GBP 100/day as the per-diem benchmark for proof-of-funds calculations.
Where to apply
Apply online at gov.uk/standard-visitor -> create UKVI account -> fill application + upload documents + pay fee online -> book biometric appointment at VFS Hattisar via vfsglobal.com/uk/np -> submit biometrics + originals -> wait for UKVI Sheffield decision -> courier passport collection at VFS.

Visa categories available

Tourist — Standard Visitor Visa — Tourism / Family Visit

Tourism, sightseeing, leisure travel, visiting family / friends, short academic visit, private medical treatment, attending business meetings, recreational courses (≤ 30 days non-credit) within the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).

Stay
Up to 6 months per visit.
Processing
15 working days standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 500). Super Priority Service: 24 hours next-business-day (additional GBP 1,000) — limited slots, depends on UKVI Sheffield availability.

Business — Standard Visitor Visa — Business

Business meetings, contract negotiations, conferences, exhibitions, after-sales service of equipment sold by Nepali employer, internal corporate training (≤ 6 months) — no direct employment in UK.

Stay
Up to 6 months per visit.
Processing
15 working days standard; 5 days Priority; 24 hours Super Priority.

Family Visit — Family Visa — Spouse / Partner / Parent / Child

Joining a British citizen, person with Settled Status / Pre-Settled Status / Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / valid Skilled Worker visa as family member (spouse, civil partner, unmarried partner, fiancé(e), child under 18, parent of British child, adult dependent relative).

Stay
Spouse / partner: 2 years 9 months initially -> extension to total 5 years -> eligibility for ILR. Child: until 18, then transition to own basis.
Processing
12 weeks standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 30 days (additional GBP 573). Super Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 956).

Student — Student Visa (Tier 4 — Student route)

Full-time study at a UKVI-licensed Sponsor institution (university, FE college, independent school) with Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).

Stay
Programme length + 4 months grace post-completion. Bachelor's: 3 years + 4 months. Master's: 1–2 years + 4 months. PhD: up to 4 years + 4 months. Pre-sessional + Foundation: programme length.
Processing
15 working days standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 500). Super Priority Service: 24 hours next-business-day (additional GBP 1,000).

Work — Skilled Worker Visa (Tier 2 — sponsored employment)

Salaried employment at a UKVI Sponsor Licence-holder employer in an occupation on the eligible occupations list with Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).

Stay
Up to 5 years initially per CoS, renewable. After 5 years, eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR — settlement).
Processing
15 working days standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 500). Super Priority Service: 24 hours next-business-day (additional GBP 1,000).

Transit — Direct Airside Transit Visa (DATV) / Visitor in Transit (VIT)

Transit through a UK airport (Heathrow LHR / Gatwick LGW / Stansted STN / Manchester MAN / Birmingham BHX / etc.) en route to a third country. DATV: airside-only transit, no UK entry. VIT: transit with UK entry (e.g. to change airports).

Stay
DATV: up to 24 hours airside. VIT: up to 48 hours including UK entry.
Processing
15 working days at VFS Hattisar.

Multi-Entry — Standard Visitor Visa — Long-Validity Multi-Entry (2 / 5 / 10 years)

Repeat visits to UK for tourism, business, family — long-validity multi-entry visa for established Nepali travellers with clean visa history.

Stay
Up to 6 months per entry; total 180 days within any 12-month period.
Processing
15 working days standard.

Required documents — United Kingdom tourist visa

  1. UKVI online application form (signed digital)

    Filed online at gov.uk/standard-visitor. Generates a Visa Application Form (VAF) reference number used at VFS biometric appointment.

    Required

  2. Nepali passport (≥ 6 months validity beyond intended return; ≥ 1 blank page)

    Plus photocopies of front + last + every used page of current passport AND last 2 old passports.

    Required

  3. One passport-size digital photograph (45 × 35 mm, white background, < 6 months old)

    Captured at VFS Hattisar during biometric appointment.

    Required

  4. Travel medical insurance (recommended but not mandatory)

    GBP 30,000+ medical coverage Schengen-style policy acceptable.

    Conditional

  5. Confirmed return / onward air ticket

    Yatra dummy ticket (NPR 999) acceptable at file-prep stage. Booking inspected by airline check-in staff in Kathmandu.

    Required

  6. Confirmed accommodation in the UK for the entire stay

    Hotel booking, B&B reservation, OR invitation-letter accommodation with sponsor full address.

    Required

  7. Detailed travel itinerary (locations, duration per location)

    Common UK tourist circuits: London + Edinburgh + Lake District + Bath + Stonehenge. Provide day-by-day plan.

    Required

  8. Cover letter explaining purpose of trip

    Addressed to the UKVI Visa Officer; outlines who, why, where, when, who funds the trip, and why you will return to Nepal.

    Required

  9. Bank statement (last 6 months, NPR 5 lakh ending balance recommended)

    Original on bank letterhead, signed and stamped, in English. Supplementary signed bank letter confirming average balance strengthens applications.

    Required

  10. Income Tax Returns (last 3 years, personal + company as applicable)

    Notarised English translations.

    Required

  11. International credit card copy + last 3 months statement

    Strengthens financial profile when bank balance is borderline.

    Conditional

  12. Proof of social / professional status

    Employed: employer letter on letterhead (position, tenure, leave grant, last 3 months salary slips, return-to-role commitment). Self-employed: company registration + PAN + audited accounts. Student: institution leave letter + valid ID.

    Required

  13. Nepali citizenship certificate copy + birth certificate (notarised English translations)

    Required

  14. For visiting family / friends: Letter of invitation from UK host (citizen / Settled / Pre-Settled / ILR / valid visa)

    Includes host name, address, status, relationship to applicant, dates of stay, who covers expenses, accommodation arrangement. UK host's passport / status proof copy attached.

    Conditional

  15. For medical treatment: NHS / private hospital appointment letter + cost estimate + treatment plan

    Conditional

  16. For academic visitor: invitation from UK academic institution + research / collaboration plan

    Conditional

  17. Foreign-exchange purchase receipt OR passport endorsement

    Demonstrates funds being carried for the trip.

    Conditional

  18. Minor-only documents (if applicant < 18): birth certificate + notarised parental consent if travelling without both parents + parent passport copies

    Conditional

  19. ANY ONE income bundle — Business / Salary / Pension / Rental (only one needed)

    See per-bundle breakdown below — submit the bundle that matches your active income source.

    Required

  20. Income Details & Supporting Documents (For Visa Application)

    Important Notes: (1) All documents issued in Nepali language must be translated into English and notarised (certified by a notary public). (2) The applicant is required to provide documents for any ONE source of income only from the categories listed below.

    Required

  21. 1. Business Income

    Applicants involved in business must submit the following:

    Conditional

  22. PAN Certificate

    Permanent Account Number certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

    Required

  23. Business Registration Certificate

    Submit ONE of: (a) Company Registrar Certificate (for private/public limited companies), (b) Cottage / Small Industry (Gharelu) Registration, OR (c) Municipality / Ward (Wada) Registration Certificate.

    Required

  24. Additional Registration Certificates (if applicable)

    Sector-specific endorsements: (a) Tourism Board Registration for travel-related businesses, (b) Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Registration for financial institutions, (c) Contractor License from Municipality / Ward Office.

    Conditional

  25. Latest Audit Report

    Signed by a Nepal Chartered Accountants Institute (ICAN)–registered auditor, with company stamp.

    Required

  26. Tax Clearance Certificate

    Issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for the latest fiscal year.

    Required

  27. 2. Salary-Based Income

    Applicants who are employed must provide:

    Conditional

  28. Salary Certificate / Salary Letter

    On employer letterhead, signed and stamped — stating designation, joining date, monthly gross / net salary, and tenure.

    Required

  29. Leave Approval Letter

    Confirming sanctioned leave dates covering the full trip plus a buffer; signed by HR / authorised signatory.

    Required

  30. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer

    Confirming the employer has no objection to the trip and the applicant will return to duty after the leave window.

    Required

  31. Tax Clearance Certificate from IRD OR Tax Submission Letter from employer with tax statements

    Either personal tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Department for the latest year, OR an employer letter confirming TDS deduction + remittance with attached employee tax statement.

    Required

  32. 3. Pension Income

    Applicants receiving pension must submit:

    Conditional

  33. Pension Certificate (Pension Patta)

    Original Nijamati / armed-forces pension book issued by the Pension Management Office, plus copies of all entries.

    Required

  34. Company ID Card (if available)

    Photocopy of the former government / public-sector service ID card (front + back).

    Conditional

  35. Recent Pension Bank Statement

    Last 3–6 months of pension-account transactions showing regular monthly pension credits — original, signed and stamped on every page.

    Required

  36. Pension Receiving Confirmation Letter from Bank

    On bank letterhead, confirming the applicant's pension account, monthly credit amount, and account holder details.

    Required

  37. 4. Rental Income

    Applicants earning rental income must provide:

    Conditional

  38. Land Ownership Certificate

    Original + copy of the Lalpurja (land title deed) for the rental-yielding land / property.

    Required

  39. Building Completion Certificate

    Issued by the Municipality / Nagarpalika engineering office confirming the building is completed and fit for occupancy.

    Required

  40. Land and Building Tax Payment Certificate

    Latest fiscal-year payment receipts from Municipality (Nagarpalika) and Ward (Wada) office (malpot / bhumi-ghar tax).

    Required

United Kingdom embassy in Nepal

Mission
British Embassy — Kathmandu (consular jurisdiction over Nepal; visa decisions issued by UKVI Sheffield Decision-Making Hub)
Address
British Embassy, Lainchaur, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 106)
Phone
+977 1 4237100
Hours
Mon–Thu 09:00–17:00, Fri 09:00–13:00 (consular by appointment for emergency travel documents only — visa applications go via UKVI online + VFS Hattisar). The Embassy provides British nationals consular services; visa decisions are NOT made at the Embassy.
Application centre
VFS UK Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu (Hattisar) — Hattisar Plaza, Kathmandu (3rd Floor) — Mon–Fri 08:00–14:00 submission, 14:00–16:00 collection. Biometric capture (fingerprints + photo) happens here AFTER online UKVI application is filed. Book appointment at gov.uk/standard-visitor -> Apply online -> after fee payment, schedule biometric appointment at VFS Kathmandu via vfsglobal.com/uk/np.

Important notes

  • Every Nepali-language document MUST be accompanied by a notary-certified English translation — embassies will reject untranslated originals. Use a Nepal Bar Council–registered translator and have each translation notarised by a Notary Public.
  • Income proof for UK visas: ANY ONE of the four Nepal-side income bundles is sufficient (Business OR Salary OR Pension OR Rental) — pick the bundle matching your active income source.
  • Nepalis MUST apply for a UK visa for ALL visits — Nepal is NOT on the UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) eligible list (which started rolling out Apr 2025 for visa-exempt nationalities only — Nepalis remain in the full-visa category).
  • UK is NOT in the Schengen Area and NOT in the EU since 1 February 2020 (Brexit). UK + Ireland operate the Common Travel Area (CTA) — visas to one country do NOT automatically allow entry to the other, EXCEPT under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) since 2014: a UK Standard Visitor Visa endorsed "BIVS" permits Ireland entry and vice-versa.
  • British Embassy IS in Kathmandu (Lainchaur, Lazimpat) since 1816 — oldest UK Embassy in Asia after India. Embassy provides British-national consular services; visa decisions are made by UKVI Sheffield Decision-Making Hub (a centralised UK government office).
  • VFS UK Visa Application Centre IS in Kathmandu (Hattisar Plaza, 3rd Floor) — biometrics + document drop-off only. Online application is the first step; biometric appointment at VFS Hattisar is the second.
  • Biometrics (fingerprints + facial photograph) are mandatory for ALL UK visa applications. Captured at VFS Hattisar.
  • Travel medical insurance is NOT mandatory for UK visit visas (UK has reciprocal NHS access for some nationals — Nepalis pay full charges if they need medical care). Strongly recommended for visit visas.
  • For ALL UK visas with stay > 6 months, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is mandatory — GBP 1,035/year (Adults), GBP 776/year (Students/Youth Mobility), GBP 776/year (Children). Paid online during application.
  • UK's eVisa (digital immigration status) replaced Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) cards from December 2024. New visa holders receive an eVisa accessible via the UKVI Account; existing BRP holders received eVisas automatically. Carriers (airlines / Eurostar) verify eVisa status via the UKVI Carrier API at check-in.
  • Skilled Worker Visa salary threshold (effective 4 April 2024): minimum gross annual salary GBP 38,700 OR specific Going Rate for the occupation (whichever is higher). Salary thresholds revised annually by Home Office.
  • Health and Care Worker Visa: minimum salary GBP 23,200/year — preserved at lower threshold to maintain NHS / care-sector hiring. Major route for Nepali nurses + healthcare assistants.
  • Graduate Visa (post-study work): 2 years for Bachelor's + Master's graduates; 3 years for PhD graduates. Available to Nepali students who completed degree at a UKVI-licensed sponsor institution.
  • Common refusal patterns for Nepal visit visas: weak ties to Nepal (no property / business / family obligation), unexplained funds, vague itinerary, undisclosed prior UK / Schengen / US refusals, applicants under 30 without dependants, weak English-language proficiency for student / skilled-worker categories.
  • UK visa decisions are SUBJECTIVE — UKVI Sheffield Visa Officers apply the "balance of probabilities" test on every application. Strong supporting documents + clear cover letter materially improve approval odds.
  • UK uses GBP (Pound Sterling) — 1 USD ≈ GBP 0.80 (2026).

Machine-readable version: /visa/united-kingdom/markdown

Frequently asked questions

Common questions Nepali citizens ask before applying for a United Kingdom visa — sourced from United Kingdom's embassy and Yatra's submission desk.

How long does a United Kingdom tourist visa take to process for Nepali citizens?

15 working days standard via VFS Hattisar. Priority Service: 5 working days (additional GBP 500). Super Priority Service: 24 hours next-business-day (additional GBP 1,000) — limited slots, depends on UKVI Sheffield availability.

What bank balance is required for a United Kingdom visa?

Bank statement (last 6 months) showing capacity for the trip — recommended ending balance NPR 5 lakh (5,00,000)+ for a typical 7–14-day UK trip — plus 3-year Income Tax Returns and an international credit card with 3-month statement. UKVI Sheffield Visa Officers reference GBP 100/day as the per-diem benchmark for proof-of-funds calculations.

How many days can Nepali citizens stay in United Kingdom on a tourist visa?

Up to 6 months per visit. (Standard Visitor Visa — Tourism / Family Visit).

Where do Nepali citizens apply for a United Kingdom tourist visa?

Apply online at gov.uk/standard-visitor -> create UKVI account -> fill application + upload documents + pay fee online -> book biometric appointment at VFS Hattisar via vfsglobal.com/uk/np -> submit biometrics + originals -> wait for UKVI Sheffield decision -> courier passport collection at VFS.

What documents are required for a United Kingdom tourist visa from Nepal?

Required documents include: UKVI online application form (signed digital); Nepali passport (≥ 6 months validity beyond intended return; ≥ 1 blank page); One passport-size digital photograph (45 × 35 mm, white background, < 6 months old); Confirmed return / onward air ticket; Confirmed accommodation in the UK for the entire stay; Detailed travel itinerary (locations, duration per location); Cover letter explaining purpose of trip; Bank statement (last 6 months, NPR 5 lakh ending balance recommended).

Where is the United Kingdom embassy in Nepal?

British Embassy — Kathmandu (consular jurisdiction over Nepal; visa decisions issued by UKVI Sheffield Decision-Making Hub) — British Embassy, Lainchaur, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal (P.O. Box 106). Phone: +977 1 4237100.

Can Nepali citizens apply for a United Kingdom business visa?

Yes — Standard Visitor Visa — Business. Business meetings, contract negotiations, conferences, exhibitions, after-sales service of equipment sold by Nepali employer, internal corporate training (≤ 6 months) — no direct employment in UK. Processing: 15 working days standard; 5 days Priority; 24 hours Super Priority..

Is there an online portal to apply for a United Kingdom visa?

Yes — apply online at https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa — UKVI Visa Checker (start here to confirm eligible category) · https://www.gov.uk/standard-visitor — Standard Visitor Visa (most common Nepali category) · https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa — Skilled Worker Visa · https://www.gov.uk/student-visa — Student Visa · https://www.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa — Health and Care Worker Visa · https://visas-immigration.service.gov.uk — UKVI Online Application Portal (mandatory for ALL applications) · https://visa.vfsglobal.com/npl/en/gbr — VFS UK Nepal (biometric appointment booking).

How is the United Kingdom visa fee paid?

UKVI fee + Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) paid online by Visa / MasterCard / AmEx during the application. VFS service charge + courier in cash NPR or by card / QR at VFS Kathmandu counter. NO Demand Draft accepted for UKVI fees — all UK government fees settled online.

Can Yatra help with a United Kingdom visa application?

Yes — Yatra provides end-to-end visa assistance for United Kingdom including document preparation, appointment booking, application review, and a PNR-backed dummy ticket (NPR 999) when the embassy requires proof of onward travel.

Sources & last updated

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