Does Nepal have a digital nomad visa?

No — as of 2026, Nepal does not have a dedicated digital nomad or remote worker visa. Most digital nomads use the tourist visa on arrival (15/30/90 days, up to 150 days per calendar year). Remote work is technically a gray area on a tourist visa, but enforcement is minimal and the government has signaled interest in attracting remote workers. A dedicated visa may be introduced in the future, but for now, the tourist visa is the standard approach.

How long can I stay in Nepal on a tourist visa?

Up to 150 days per calendar year across all tourist visa entries. You can choose 15-day ($30), 30-day ($50), or 90-day ($125) visa durations on arrival, and extend within Nepal up to the 150-day annual cap. The limit resets every January 1. If you want to spend more than 150 days per year in Nepal, you would need a different visa category (business, student, or institutional).

Can I get a visa on arrival at a Nepal land border?

Yes — tourist visa on arrival is available at most land border crossings, including Kakarbhitta (east, India border), Birgunj/Raxaul (south, India border), Sunauli/Bhairahawa (south, India border), and Nepalgunj (west). Payment at land borders is typically cash only (USD preferred). Bring a passport photo and arrive during immigration office hours for the smoothest experience.

What documents do I need for a Nepal tourist visa?

You need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival, one recent passport-sized photograph, a completed arrival card (available on airport kiosks or online at immigration.gov.np), and the visa fee in cash (USD, EUR, GBP accepted) or by credit/debit card at Tribhuvan International Airport.

What happens if I overstay my visa in Nepal?

Overstaying a Nepal visa incurs a fine of approximately $5 per day for the first 30 days, increasing thereafter. Prolonged overstays can result in deportation and potential bans on future entry. The Department of Immigration takes overstays seriously — always extend or depart before your visa expires. Extensions up to the 150-day annual limit can be processed in Kathmandu or Pokhara within 1–3 business days.

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🇳🇵 Nepal

Visa & Residency

$30

15-Day Tourist Visa

On arrival; multiple entry

$50

30-Day Tourist Visa

On arrival; multiple entry

$125

90-Day Tourist Visa

On arrival; multiple entry

150 days

Max Stay / Year

Per calendar year on tourist visa

None yet

Digital Nomad Visa

Tourist visa is the primary option

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏛️Kathmandu 🏔️Pokhara

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Overview

Nepal does not yet offer a dedicated digital nomad visa, but its generous tourist visa on arrival system makes extended stays straightforward. Visitors from most countries can obtain 15-, 30-, or 90-day tourist visas at Tribhuvan International Airport or land borders, with a maximum of 150 days per calendar year. Business visas are available for those with a Nepali sponsor. The visa process is simple: fill out the form at a kiosk on arrival, pay in cash or card, and receive your visa on the spot. For longer stays, many expats do short 'visa runs' to India or combine Nepal time with travel to other countries within the 150-day limit.

Key Takeaways

Fee structure: $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), $125 (90 days) — paid in USD, EUR, GBP, or by credit/debit card at TIA
Requires a letter of invitation from a Nepali business, organization, or government body
The 150-day limit resets on January 1 each calendar year — plan your Nepal time accordingly
Pre-fill the online arrival form at immigration.gov.np to skip kiosk queues at TIA — it takes 5 minutes

Tourist Visa on Arrival (2026)

Nepal's tourist visa on arrival is one of the simplest in Asia. Available to citizens of most countries, it allows you to enter Nepal multiple times within the visa duration and is processed in minutes at the airport or land border.

Fee structure: $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), $125 (90 days) — paid in USD, EUR, GBP, or by credit/debit card at TIA
All tourist visas are multiple entry — you can leave and re-enter Nepal within the validity period
Maximum cumulative stay: 150 days per calendar year on tourist visa categories
Required documents: passport valid for 6+ months, one passport-sized photo, completed arrival card (available on kiosks at the airport or online in advance)
Online pre-registration available at immigration.gov.np — speeds up the on-arrival process; receipt valid for 15 days
Extensions available at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara Immigration Office — up to the 150-day annual limit
Extension fee: approximately $3/day for the remaining days being requested
Visa on arrival is NOT available for citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Swaziland, and Liberia — these nationals must apply in advance at a Nepali embassy

Business Visa

For those planning to work with Nepali companies, invest, or conduct business in Nepal, a business visa is available and offers longer stay periods than the tourist visa.

Requires a letter of invitation from a Nepali business, organization, or government body
Available for 1 year initially, renewable annually; allows multiple entries
Application through Nepal's Department of Immigration — can be initiated from within Nepal
Holders can legally engage in business activities, attend meetings, and negotiate contracts in Nepal
Work permits are separate — employment with a Nepali entity requires both a business visa and a work permit
Fees vary by duration and are assessed at the immigration office; typically $100–$500 depending on length

Visa Runs & Extensions

The 150-day annual limit means expats planning longer stays must structure their time carefully. Many use India border crossings for visa runs or simply plan their Nepal time alongside travel to other destinations.

The 150-day limit resets on January 1 each calendar year — plan your Nepal time accordingly
Popular visa run destinations: India (accessible by land from multiple border crossings), Thailand (cheap flights from Kathmandu), and UAE (frequent Nepal–Dubai flights)
Kakarbhitta (east) and Birgunj/Raxaul (south) are the most common land border crossings to India
Visa extensions are processed at the Department of Immigration in Naya Baneshwor, Kathmandu, or at the Pokhara Immigration Office
Processing time for extensions: typically 1–3 business days; bring passport, photos, and fee in cash
Overstaying incurs fines of $5/day plus potential deportation and future entry bans — take the limit seriously
Some long-term expats work on a 6-months-in, 6-months-out pattern, alternating Nepal with Southeast Asia or India

Practical Visa Tips for 2026

Nepal's visa system is straightforward but a few practical tips will help you avoid delays and make the most of your allotted time.

Pre-fill the online arrival form at immigration.gov.np to skip kiosk queues at TIA — it takes 5 minutes
Bring a passport photo — the airport kiosks can take photos but the line is longer
USD cash is the easiest payment method at land borders where card machines may not work
If arriving late at night, expect longer queues at TIA — the immigration hall can be slow during peak flight arrivals
Keep your visa receipt and immigration stamp pages accessible — you may be asked for them at hotels and trekking permit checkpoints
Track your cumulative days in Nepal carefully if you plan multiple entries — the 150-day limit is strictly enforced
Nepal's fiscal year runs mid-July to mid-July — immigration policies occasionally adjust at fiscal year boundaries

FAQs