Nepal (NP)
Nepal is a landlocked Himalayan nation between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks including Mount Everest (8,849m).
Visa & Immigration
Entry and residence options for Nepal.
✈️ Visa-Free Access
Indian nationals do not require a visa for Nepal when travelling with an accepted identity document. Most other nationalities need a tourist visa, which is available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and designated land border crossings for citizens of most countries worldwide. A small number of nationalities (including China and a few others) must obtain a visa from a Nepal embassy before arrival. Check current requirements at the Nepal Department of Immigration (immigration.gov.np).
Nepal immigration practice is document-heavy and processes can be slow. Always use the official Department of Immigration (immigration.gov.np) channels. Keep entry stamps, visa categories, and permit dates in alignment. Never start local work on tourist status. Overstaying is a serious offence — exit fees and future entry bans apply. The 150-day tourist-stay cap per calendar year is strictly enforced.
Tourist Visa
Tourism, trekking, visiting family and friends, and initial entry for most visitors. Does not authorise work of any kind.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and designated land crossings for most nationalities; embassy processing for nationalities not eligible for VOA
- ✓Valid passport (no minimum validity specified but at least 6 months strongly recommended)
- ✓Completed online form or airport kiosk submission
- ✓Fee payment at the airport or border (cash USD recommended)
- ✓Hotel booking or host address in Nepal
- ✓Passport-size photograph
Working Visa
Foreign nationals employed in Nepal after obtaining a work permit from the Department of Labour, Employment and Vocational Training (DoLEVT) and a Ministry of Home Affairs work agreement where required. Line-agency recommendation from the relevant ministry is usually needed.
Several weeks to months for the full permit chain; tourist visa can be held while paperwork is underway but employment must not begin until the working visa and permit are in place
- ✓Work permit from the Department of Labour (DoLEVT)
- ✓Line ministry recommendation for the relevant sector
- ✓Work agreement from the Ministry of Home Affairs (where required)
- ✓Signed employment contract
- ✓Valid passport with current visa
- ✓Educational and professional qualification documents
- ✓Tax and company registration documents of the employer
Business Visa
Foreign investors or business operators with approved investment from the Department of Industry (DoI) or Investment Board Nepal (IBN) and the required company registration documents
Several weeks after investment and company approvals are obtained; the approval chain is sequential
- ✓Industry or investment approval from DoI or IBN
- ✓Company registration with the Office of Company Registrar
- ✓Tax registration (PAN/VAT)
- ✓Evidence of investment (bank remittance records)
- ✓Recommendation letter from the Ministry of Industry
- ✓Valid passport and photographs
Student Visa
Foreign nationals admitted to a recognised Nepal educational institution
2–6 weeks at the Department of Immigration, Kathmandu
- ✓Original admission or acceptance letter from the institution
- ✓Recommendation from the Ministry of Education or the institution where required
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Proof of financial support for tuition and living costs
- ✓Current visa
- ✓Passport-size photographs
Non-Tourist Visa (Other Categories)
Family and marriage, residential, press, research, volunteer, and other non-tourist categories not covered by the tourist, business, student, or working visa
Several weeks at the Department of Immigration
- ✓Relationship, sponsorship, or institutional supporting documents
- ✓Government recommendation or approval where required by the category
- ✓Valid passport and current visa
- ✓Police clearance and civil registration documents as required
- ✓Photographs
No dedicated digital nomad visa
Digital NomadNepal does not offer a dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2026. Remote workers must hold a lawful visa category and must not perform Nepal-source work or client delivery on tourist status.
Depends on the applicable visa category
- ✓Legal immigration advice before extended remote-work stay
- ✓Tax-residence analysis (prolonged stays can trigger Nepal tax obligations)
- ✓Remote employment contract or proof of self-employment income from abroad
- ✓Travel and health insurance
Visa & Immigration
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