Getting Into Nepal

Most travellers reach Nepal by flying into Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, which handles over 90 percent of international arrivals. Nepal now has three operational international airports. Alongside Tribhuvan, Gautam Buddha International Airport (BWA) in Bhairahawa near Lumbini and Pokhara International Airport (PKR) in Pokhara both opened in recent years, though their international flight schedules remain limited. For a full trekking or cultural itinerary, Kathmandu is still the main gateway.

Before you arrive, the single most useful thing you can do is complete the online pre-arrival visa form. It takes about ten minutes and saves you a significant amount of time at the airport.

Step 1: Complete the Online Pre-Arrival Visa Form

Nepal offers a Visa on Arrival for citizens of most countries, and the government now runs an official online pre-registration portal that lets you fill out your tourist visa application before you fly. Completing this form in advance means you skip the airport kiosk queues, which can be long during peak trekking season in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).

Here is exactly how to do it:

1. Go to the official Nepal Department of Immigration portal via this link HERE. This is the only legitimate government site for the pre-arrival visa application. Avoid third-party lookalike sites.
2. Select Tribhuvan International Airport (or your specific land border crossing) as your port of entry.
3. Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport.
4. Upload a digital passport-sized photograph. The photo must have a plain background and be clearly lit. Blurry or dark photos are routinely rejected.
5. Upload a scan of your passport data page.
6. Submit the form and download your confirmation receipt with a barcode.
7. Print the barcode receipt, or save it clearly on your phone. A printed copy moves faster at immigration.

The barcode receipt is valid for exactly 15 days from the date of submission, so complete the form no earlier than two weeks before your arrival. If your barcode expires, you will need to resubmit.

Note that the online form does not let you pay the visa fee in advance. Payment happens at the airport on arrival.

Step 2: What to Carry on the Plane

Pack these items in your carry-on so they are easy to reach at immigration:

• Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond your departure date, with at least two blank pages.
• Your printed pre-arrival barcode receipt.
• USD cash in clean, pristine bills (Series 2013 or newer). Damaged, torn, or marked bills are often rejected.
• Two passport-sized photographs as a backup, in case the kiosk photos fail or land borders ask for one.
• Your arrival card, which is usually handed out on the plane. Fill it in before landing.
• Proof of onward travel and a hotel booking, in case you are asked.

Step 3: Visa Fees and Duration

Nepal issues multiple-entry tourist visas in three standard durations. Fees are charged in USD:

• 15 days: USD 30
• 30 days: USD 50
• 90 days: USD 125

These visas are valid for multiple entries within the stated period, which is useful if you plan to visit Bhutan, Tibet, or India during your trip and return to Nepal.

Indian nationals do not require a visa. Citizens of other SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan) receive a free 30-day visa once per calendar year. A short list of nationalities, including citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan, must obtain a visa from a Nepali embassy or consulate before travel and cannot use the visa on arrival facility.

Step 4: On Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport

After you land at TIA, the process is straightforward if you have pre-registered:

1. Disembark and follow signs for Arrivals and Immigration.
2. If you have a pre-arrival barcode, go directly to the Payment Counter. Skip the kiosk queue.
3. If you have not pre-registered, use the electronic kiosks in the arrival hall to fill out the form and generate a receipt.
4. Pay your visa fee at the payment counter. USD cash is the most reliable option. Credit card machines exist but network connectivity can be unreliable.
5. Proceed to the immigration desk with your passport, payment receipt, and arrival card. The officer will stamp your visa into your passport.
6. Collect your luggage and pass through customs.
7. Exit to the arrivals hall and out of the airport where pre-arranged Himalayan Glacier transfer will be waiting.

The entire process typically takes 30 to 60 minutes in normal periods and 60 to 120 minutes during peak trekking seasons. Having the pre-arrival barcode in hand usually saves 15 to 30 minutes.

Entering Nepal by Land

Nepal shares borders with India to the east, south, and west, and with China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the north. The most common land border crossings for tourists arriving from India are Kakarvitta, Birgunj (Raxaul), Belahiya (Sunauli), Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi, and Mahendranagar. From Tibet, the two active crossings are Rasuwagadhi (Gyirong) and Kodari (Zhangmu), with Rasuwagadhi being the more reliable of the two.

A visa on arrival is available at these major crossings, though facilities are more basic than at the airport. Cash in USD is essential at land borders, as credit card machines are often out of service. Bring extra passport photos, since digital photo systems at land borders are not always working.

Flying to Nepal

There are no direct flights to Kathmandu from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. Most North American travellers connect through the Middle East on Qatar Airways (Doha), Emirates (Dubai), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), or Turkish Airlines (Istanbul). Travellers from Asia and Oceania often connect via Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, or Delhi. The full journey from North America typically takes 20 to 26 hours including layovers.

As of 2026, 32 airlines operate international flights to Tribhuvan from 44 airports in 16 countries.

Visa Extensions

If you want to stay longer than your initial visa, you can extend your tourist visa at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or at the Pokhara Immigration Office. Extensions cost USD 3 per day with a minimum extension of 15 days (USD 45). The maximum tourist visa stay is 150 days per calendar year.

Apply for your extension before your current visa expires to avoid late fees. The immigration office at Tribhuvan Airport is not authorised to issue extensions.

How Himalayan Glacier Helps

Every Himalayan Glacier trip includes an airport pickup at Tribhuvan, and one of our representatives will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a the log. We can also help you complete the online pre-arrival visa form before you fly, confirm your barcode is valid for your arrival date, and advise on which bills to bring for visa payment. If anything goes sideways at immigration, our Kathmandu office is a phone call away.

Questions? Reach us at +1-410-307-0007 or northamerica@himalayanglacier.com.