Nepal is a landlocked country in South Asia, located between India and China. Travelers can enter Nepal by air or by land, depending on their travel route and nationality.

For most international tourists, flying into Nepal is the easiest option. Travelers coming from India or Tibet/China can also enter through designated land border points.

Before traveling, make sure your passport, visa, travel insurance, permits, and other required documents are ready.

How Can I Enter Nepal?

There are two main ways to enter Nepal:

• By air
• By land

1. Entering Nepal by Air

Flying is the easiest and most common way for international travelers to enter Nepal.

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu is Nepal’s main international airport and the primary gateway for international tourists. The immigration office at TIA operates 24 hours a day.

Gautam Buddha International Airport (GBIA) in Bhairahawa, near Lumbini, also has immigration facilities and provides Visa on Arrival for eligible foreign travelers.

Tourist Visa on Arrival

Eligible travelers can obtain a tourist visa on arrival. Nepal currently offers tourist visa options of:

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

These are the current fees published by Nepal’s Department of Immigration.

How to Get a Nepal Visa on Arrival

The process is straightforward:

Step 1: Complete the arrival information

Complete the Arrival Card and the online Tourist Visa application. You can complete the application before arriving or use the kiosks available at the airport.

Step 2: Pay the visa fee

Pay the applicable visa fee for 15, 30, or 90 days. Multiple payment methods are available, but carrying some cash is recommended.

Step 3: Go to Immigration

Take your passport, visa application/submission receipt, and payment receipt to the immigration counter. An immigration officer will check your documents and issue your tourist visa.

You can also complete the online application before your flight to make the arrival process easier. The Department of Immigration provides the official online portal for this purpose.

Can I Get a Nepal Visa Before Traveling?

Yes. Travelers can obtain a Nepal visa from a Nepalese embassy or diplomatic mission abroad before traveling.

If you obtain a visa from a Nepalese diplomatic mission, you must enter Nepal within six months from the visa issue date. Your permitted stay begins from the day you enter Nepal.

2. Entering Nepal by Land

Traveling to Nepal by land is another option, particularly for travelers coming from India or Tibet/China.

Nepal shares an open and heavily used land border with India and has designated northern border crossings with China/Tibet.

However, not every border crossing is available to every foreign traveler at all times. Border operations, permits, opening hours, and immigration procedures can vary, so travelers should check the latest information before planning a land crossing.

Entering Nepal from India

Travelers coming from India can enter Nepal through designated immigration checkpoints.

Important land-entry points include:

• Kakarbhitta – eastern Nepal
• Birgunj – central/southern Nepal
• Belahia (Bhairahawa) – near Lumbini
• Nepalgunj/Jamunaha – western Nepal
• Gaddachowki/Mahendranagar – far-western Nepal
• Biratnagar – eastern Nepal

Nepal’s Department of Immigration currently lists immigration offices at several of these border locations.

What Documents Do I Need to Enter Nepal by Land?

Foreign travelers should carry:

• A valid passport
• A valid Nepalese visa, if required
• Visa/immigration documents
• Other supporting documents where applicable

If you are eligible for Visa on Arrival at the particular entry point, the immigration office can process the applicable tourist visa.

Do not assume that every land border provides exactly the same service as Kathmandu Airport. Check the specific border crossing before traveling.

3. Entering Nepal from Tibet/China

Travelers coming from Tibet/China can enter Nepal through designated northern border crossings, including Rasuwagadhi and Kodari.

These routes are particularly relevant to travelers combining Tibet and Nepal in the same itinerary. Nepal’s Department of Immigration currently lists immigration offices at Rasuwagadhi and Kodari.

Travel through the Nepal–China border can involve additional transportation, border, permit, and immigration requirements. Travelers should confirm the current border status and required permits before starting the journey.

For most independent international tourists, entering Nepal by air is considerably simpler.

Indian Citizens Entering Nepal

Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal.

According to Nepal Immigration, Indian citizens can enter Nepal with a valid passport. Indian citizens without a passport may also use a valid voter identity card. Nepal Immigration recommends traveling with a passport for faster processing.

Specific document requirements can differ for children, so families should check the latest official requirements before traveling.

Who Cannot Get a Visa on Arrival?

Not every nationality is eligible for Visa on Arrival.

Nepal Immigration currently lists the following nationalities as not eligible for Visa on Arrival:

• Nigeria
• Ghana
• Zimbabwe
• Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)
• Cameroon
• Somalia
• Liberia
• Ethiopia
• Iraq
• Palestine
• Afghanistan
• Syria

Citizens of these countries need to obtain the appropriate Nepalese visa in advance through a Nepalese diplomatic mission or the applicable online process.

Travelers should always check the latest immigration rules before departure because visa regulations can change.

Passport Requirements

A valid passport is essential for most foreign travelers entering Nepal.

Nepal Immigration states that passports should be valid for at least six months at the time of travel. Handwritten passports are not accepted at Nepal’s immigration offices; travelers should have a valid machine-readable passport.

We recommend keeping:

• Your passport
• Visa documents
• Travel insurance details
• Flight or transportation information
• Hotel booking
• Trekking permits, where applicable

easily accessible during your journey.

What Is the Easiest Way to Enter Nepal?

For most international travelers, flying to Kathmandu is the easiest and most convenient option.

If you are already traveling in India, entering Nepal by land can be convenient and can also save money depending on your itinerary.

Travelers combining Nepal with Tibet/China may use designated northern border crossings, but these journeys require more planning.

Important Before You Travel

Immigration rules, visa fees, border operations, and transportation schedules can change.

Always check the latest information from the Department of Immigration, Nepal before starting your journey.

For trekking travelers, also check whether your chosen trekking region requires a TIMS card, national park/conservation-area permit, restricted-area permit, or local permit.