Visa policy of Nepal

The visa policy of Nepal is relatively liberal, allowing citizens of almost all nations to obtain a tourist visa on arrival. In accordance with the law, citizens of all countries except India require a visa to enter Nepal.

Nepal
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Nepal
Foreign relations
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
    Minister: Pradip Kumar Gyawali
  • Diplomatic missions of / in Nepal
Nepal portal
  • Other countries

In January 2014 Nepal introduced online visa application system.[1][2]

Due to recent 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic Nepal Government has temporarily decided to suspend the visa on arrival for all foreign citizens starting March 14, 2020 till April 20, 2020. The decision was intended to combat a possible COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal. Till then, Applicants must apply for the visa in the embassy and consulate of Nepal in their respective nations.[3] All tourists are allowed to stay in Nepal for a maximum of 150 days in one calendar year. Visitors must hold passports that are valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival.[4] [5]

Visa policy map
Visa policy of Nepal

Freedom of movement

Citizens of  India do not need a visa to enter Nepal, and can reside permanently as Nepali citizens with no restrictions, because Article 7 the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship allows free movement of people between the two nations on a reciprocal basis.

Indian citizens can use any acceptable documents mentioned below to enter Nepal:[6]

  • Indian Passport
  • Voter ID card with photograph
  • Registration certificate issued by the Indian embassy to the Indian citizen residing in Nepal
  • Ad hoc/temporary identity card issued by the Indian embassy to the Indian citizen in the event of emergency

Visa on arrival
Nepal free visa on arrival issued to a Chinese citizen at Kakarbhitta

With the exception of nationals of states mentioned below and holders of refugee travel documents, any foreign national can obtain a tourist visa on arrival. Multiple entry visas can be issued for a duration of stay of 15, 30 or 90 days. Holders of temporary passports are not eligible unless they hold a temporary passport issued by a European Union member state.[4]

Visa on arrival is available at:[7]

  • Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
  • Birganj (India border)
  • Bheemdatta (India border)
  • Dhangadhi (India border)
  • Nepalgunj (India border)
  • Kakarbhitta (India border)
  • Kodari (China side: Zhangmu Port, which is currently available for cargo transaction only)[8]
  • Siddharthanagar (India border)

Visa required in advance

Citizens of the following states are required to apply for a visa prior to arrival in Nepal:[9]

Visa fee waiver

Nationals of SAARC member countries can receive a tourist visa free of charge for 30 days at no cost. Those countries are:[10]

In addition, residents of  China,  Hong Kong and  Macau can have their visa fees waived if they are traveling as tourists since 1 January 2016.[11][12]

Non-ordinary passports

Holders of diplomatic or service passports of following countries do not require a visa.[4][13]

Visa exemption agreement was signed with  Qatar in October 2018 and it is not yet ratified.[14]

Statistics

Most visitors arriving to Nepal for tourism purpose were from the following countries (excluding India):[15]

Country 2016 2015
 China66,984123,805
 Sri Lanka44,36737,546
 United States42,68749,830
 Thailand30,95333,422
 United Kingdom29,73036,759
 Australia18,61924,516
 South Korea18,11223,205
 Japan17,61325,829
 France16,40524,097
 Germany16,40518,028
Total538,970790,118

See also
  • Visa requirements for Nepalese citizens

References
  1. Foreigners can apply for Nepali visa with Online Application System
  4. "Country information (visa section)". Timatic. International Air Transport Association (IATA) through Olympic Air. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  6. "Important Information to Visitors". Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  7. "20181009持普通护照中国公民前往有关国家和地区入境便利待遇一览表.doc（备注1）". 中国领事服务网.
  8. 赵二召 何宇恒 陈志强. "樟木口岸恢复开通货运功能——移民管理警察实施4年来首次出入境检查". 中国西藏网.
  9. Prohibition to Visa on Arrival
  10. "Provisional Visa Arrangements And Fee". Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  11. 西藏商报. "昨起 中国赴尼游客出签免费". 搜狐新闻.
  12. "Nepal waives visa fees for Chinese tourists".
  14. https://www.gulf-times.com/story/611273/Qatar-Nepal-talks-focus-on-enhancing-ties
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.