Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and some land borders, and you can fill in the online application in advance to speed things up, while a few nationalities have different rules. Requirements, fees and durations change and depend on your nationality, so always confirm the latest entry conditions on official Nepali sources before you travel. Bring passport photos and the fee, ideally in US dollars, for visa on arrival.
- Options
- On arrival / online
- Varies by
- Nationality
- Confirm
- Official sources
- Pre-fill the online form to speed up arrival
- Verify the latest conditions before departure
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should generally be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry and have a blank page for the visa sticker and stamps. A damaged or nearly full passport can cause problems at immigration. Renew early if needed, and always check both your own government's and the Nepali authorities' latest requirements, as validity rules can change over time.
- Validity
- 6 months usual
- Pages
- Blank page needed
- Check
- Latest rules
- Damaged passports may cause problems at entry
- Renew early if validity is short
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
For a smooth entry, carry your passport, any online visa application confirmation, passport photos for visa on arrival, and the fee in clean US dollar notes. It helps to have proof of onward travel and your first accommodation details. If you plan to trek, bring passport photos for TIMS cards and permits too. Keep digital and paper copies of everything and check current document requirements for your nationality before you go.
- Core
- Passport + visa app
- For VOA
- Photos + USD
- Trekking
- Extra photos
- Bring clean US dollar notes for the visa fee
- Extra passport photos are useful for trek permits
Pre-arrival procedure — Visa on Arrival online pre-application: most foreign nationals (Indian citizens exempt) can get a tourist visa on arrival. Filling the online pre-application on the official Nepal Immigration portal beforehand speeds up the airport process, and the visa fee can be paid online. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Nepal Immigration pre-application (nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online)- Family name
- SMITH
- First / given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. UNITED STATES)
- Passport No.
- A1234567
- Date of birth
- 1990-05-20
- Photo
- Recent passport-style photo
- Date of arrival
- 2026-04-10
- Address in Nepal
- Hotel name & address (e.g. in Kathmandu)
How to pre-apply
- 1 Open nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online and click "New Application".
- 2 Enter passport and personal information and upload your photo.
- 3 Enter travel details and your address in Nepal.
- 4 Review all entries and note/print the submission barcode.
- 5 Optionally pay the visa fee online; at the airport use the pre-application to finish faster (carry clean USD as backup).
The online pre-application is valid for a limited window before arrival; visa need, fees and conditions can change. Confirm the current rules on the official portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
Nepal applies declaration thresholds for foreign currency carried in or out, and larger amounts should be declared. The Nepali rupee is generally restricted from being taken out of the country, and Indian rupees have their own rules, so do not rely on exporting local cash. Thresholds change, so check the latest limits with Nepali customs before you travel, keep exchange receipts, and declare anything above the limit.
- Declare
- Above threshold
- NPR export
- Restricted
- Confirm
- Latest limits
- Do not rely on taking Nepali rupees out
- Keep exchange receipts and declare large sums
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Personal belongings are generally allowed duty free, with modest limits on items such as tobacco and alcohol for personal use. Declare anything above the allowance or of high value, and note that valuable electronics may be recorded on entry so you take them out again. Genuine antiques over about 100 years old cannot be exported without a certificate from the Department of Archaeology, so buy from reputable shops and keep paperwork.
- Duty free
- Personal limits
- Antiques
- Export certificate
- Electronics
- May be recorded
- Old antiques need an export certificate
- Valuable electronics may be noted on entry
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited and penalties are heavy, so never carry anything for anyone. Firearms, weapons and materials offensive to religion are banned, and wildlife products such as ivory or animal parts are illegal to trade or export. Genuine antiques cannot be exported without a certificate. If in doubt about any item, ask Nepali customs before bringing it in or taking it out.
- Banned
- Drugs, weapons
- Wildlife
- Illegal to export
- Antiques
- Certificate needed
- Never carry parcels or bags for strangers
- Do not buy or export protected wildlife products
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring enough of your prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription or a doctor's letter, as pharmacies outside Kathmandu and Pokhara may not stock what you need. For trekking, consider medicines for altitude sickness on medical advice, plus rehydration salts and anti-diarrhoea remedies. Some drugs routine elsewhere may be controlled here, so check the status of strong medicines, especially opioids or psychotropics, before you travel.
- Carry
- Original packaging
- Papers
- Prescription letter
- Trekking
- Altitude meds advice
- Pharmacy stock is limited outside main cities
- Discuss altitude medicines with a doctor first
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
Routine vaccines should be up to date, and travel-health services often suggest hepatitis A and typhoid, with hepatitis B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis and, for some, cholera considered depending on your plans. A yellow fever certificate may be required if you arrive from a country with risk. See a travel clinic four to six weeks before departure for advice tailored to your itinerary and health, as recommendations can change.
- Common
- Hep A, typhoid
- Consider
- JE, rabies
- Yellow fever
- If from risk area
- See a travel clinic 4-6 weeks before you go
- Yellow fever proof may be needed from risk countries
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
On arrival at Kathmandu airport you use the visa kiosks to enter your details (or show your online application), pay the fee at a bank counter, then present the receipt and passport at immigration for your entry stamp. Have photos and the fee, ideally US dollars, ready to keep it smooth. Keep your visa and entry stamp safe, note your permitted length of stay, and do not overstay, as this leads to fines on departure.
- Steps
- Kiosk, pay, stamp
- Have ready
- Photos + USD
- Watch
- Do not overstay
- Pay the visa fee at the bank counter first
- Overstaying results in fines when you leave
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
Plan for slower travel than the map suggests and build buffer days around domestic flights and mountain roads, which weather can disrupt. Carry cash, as cards work mainly in cities and tourist hubs, and keep small rupee notes. Dress modestly at temples, remove shoes and leather items where asked, and walk clockwise around shrines. For treks, use licensed guides and agencies, sort permits in advance, and acclimatise slowly.
- Time
- Build buffer days
- Cash
- Carry small notes
- Treks
- Licensed guides, permits
- Weather can disrupt flights and mountain roads
- Dress modestly and remove shoes at temples