Nepal Travel & Entry Restrictions in 2022 (Updated on March 10, 2022)

Nepal is a diverse country in South Asia, where you will find spectacular natural landscapes combined with a rich history and vibrant culture. It is also regarded as the birthplace of the Buddha and home to Mount Everest, which is the tallest mountain in the world. It is interesting that the Nepal locals also call Mount Everest “Sagarmatha” or the Goddess Mother of the World. Nepal is popular as one of the top tourist destinations in the world. With the borders opening for travelers, it now becomes one of the best destinations for travel in Asia in 2022.

If traveling to Nepal has already been on your bucket list, then please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation or follow our Facebook to get the latest information.

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>Nepal's Current Entry Policy

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>Documents to prepare before entry Nepal

>Nepal Quarantine Measure

>Nepal Travel Restrictions in 2022

Who Can Enter Nepal – Current Nepal Entry Policy 2022

The Department of Immigration has clarified that travelers will not be denied essential tourist services, including access to airports, based on their vaccination status.

All fully vaccinated foreigners arriving in Nepal via the immigration office at the airport or a land border can receive on-arrival visas or visas in advance of travel from Nepali diplomatic missions abroad. No quarantine is required for those with negative arrival testing.

All unvaccinated foreigners arriving in Nepal must obtain a visa in advance of travel from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad.

How to Get a Nepal Visa – Nepal Visa Application

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Immigration Office, TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) under the Department of Immigration has been facilitating tourists flying to Nepal by providing visas on arrival. Although you may expect some queues during peak tourist season, the 'On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also apply for a Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad before you board the flight to Nepal. If you have already obtained a visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions, then you have to enter Nepal within 6 months from the visa issued date.

Visas obtained on Arrival are only limited to 'Tourist Visas'. Tourist Visa 'On Arrival' at the Entry and Exit points is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for purposes other than tour (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families), you also need to get a ' Tourist Visa' to enter the country first. Then you have to change the category of visa as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal from the Department of Immigration by submitting the required documents.

Who needs to apply for a Nepal visa prior to their arrival

Nationals of the following countries are requested to apply for a visa prior to their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of the Nepal Government.

Nigeria	Ghana
Zimbabwe	Swaziland
Cameroon	Somalia
Liberia	Ethiopia
Iraq	Palestine
Afghanistan	Syria
Refugees with a travel document

"On Arrival" Tourist Visa application procedure

Please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA) if you have not acquired Visa prior to boarding the plane.

Step 01: Fill in ' Arrival Card '

Fill in the Online Tourist Visa form (you can fill it up prior to your arrival by visiting the website of the Nepal Department of Immigration (https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/ ) Or you can also fill it up by using Kiosk self-service machines upon your arrival at the airport.

If you fill it in from the website, you will get a submission receipt with a barcode. Then you will need to print it out and bring it along for the visa acquiring, which only works for 15 days. If it becomes invalid after 15 days, you have to fill in a new form.

Step 02: May payment

Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement (15/30/90 Days) and get the receipt. While you can use different modes of payments at the visa fees collection counter. We suggest you bring some cash with you on the safe side.

On Arrival Visa Fee at Entry Points

15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD

Step 03: Submit the application at the Immigration Desk

Submit the Immigration Desk with your On-arrival Visa Application online form, payment receipts, and your passport. The staff will issue a visa to you upon his/her satisfaction.

Visa Extension Fee

Tourist visa extension is done for a minimum of 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days. In the case of a delay of fewer than 150 days, additional USD 5 per day will be charged as the late fine.

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of the following categories of Visa applicants:

Children below 10 years except for US citizens
Up to 30 days for SAARC citizens (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year. Afghan citizens are eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of the Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request the concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with the Department of Immigration to get you a Gratis Visa 'On Arrival '.
Non Residential Nepalese (NRN) card holder ( issued by MoFA /Nepalese diplomatic missions abroad)
Chinese Nationals
Officials from China, Brazil, Russia, and Thailand do not need Entry Visa based on reciprocal visa waiver Agreement

Visas of all kinds including ‘Gratis’ issued at the Airport are Tourist Visas. Contact the Department of Immigration for extending your visa or changing the category of your visa. Tourist Visa extension can be done from Immigration Office, Pokhara too. Non-tourist visa extension can be done only at the Department of Immigration (if eligible) for a period of a maximum of 1 year (except business visa).

Do I need a negative COVID test for entry to Nepal – Documents to prepare before entry Nepal

For Fully-vaccinated travelers, they must present the following documents for entry to Nepal:

Evidence of completion of a 14-day post-COVID-19 vaccination incubation period
COVID-19 negative test (RT-PCR, Gene Expert, True NAAR, or WHO-accredited test) obtained within 72 hours of the departure from the port of embarkment or within 72 hours if entering Nepal by land
Valid passport
Online Tourist Visa form submission receipt with barcode and the payment receipt
Copy of mountaineering/trekking permits, or related permits, if available
Proof of hotel reservation in Nepal
A printed copy of the International Traveler Online Arrival Form was obtained after registration: ccmc.gov.np

Unvaccinated travelers traveling to Nepal must present the following documents for entry:

COVID-19 negative test (RT-PCR, Gene Expert, True NAAR, or WHO-accredited test) obtained within 72 hours of the departure from the port of embarkment or within 72 hours if entering Nepal by land
A visa acquired from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad prior to travel
Valid passport
Copy of mountaineering/trekking permits, or related permits, if available
Proof of hotel reservation in Nepal
A printed copy of the International Traveler Online Arrival Form was obtained after registration: ccmc.gov.np

Regulations for Foreigners who transit in Nepal

Foreigners are allowed to transit Nepal from the Tribhuvan International Airport. Those foreigners residing in Nepal and seeking to travel to a third country from Nepal, and all foreigners departing from Nepal must submit a COVID-19 negative report (RT-PCR, Gene Expert, True NAAR or WHO accredited test) obtained within 48 hours prior to their departure or a COVID-19 test as specified by their destination country.

Printed copies of the International Traveler Online Arrival Form obtained after registration are available via ccmc.gov.np.

Exemptions:

Those arriving in Nepal for emergency purposes may be permitted to move towards their final destination only if tested antigen-negative or they will be subject to isolation following currently applicable health protocols.
No vaccination or testing is required for minors below 5 years old. Vaccinations are not mandatory for children between 5-17 years old.
There is no medical or religious exemption to vaccination permitted under current regulations.

Do I need quarantine after entry- Nepal Quarantine Measure

All fully vaccinated international travelers are not required to quarantine upon negative antigen test at arrival

Non-vaccinated travelers / semi-vaccinated will be administered an antigen test on arrival and are required to quarantine at a hotel for 5 days. PCR test must be done on the 6th day before traveling within the country.

All travelers may be subject to random checks

Can I travel around Nepal freely after entry - Nepal Travel Restrictions in 2022

There is no restriction for movement within Nepal. Local and private transportation is easily available. However, passengers are subjected to avoid gatherings and follow strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Violations of local orders may result in penalties.

Public transport and personal vehicles, including taxis, are permitted in the Kathmandu valley and must adhere to strict COVID protocols. Additional restrictions remain possible in many locations. Check local conditions before traveling.

In addition to safety guidelines, preventative health measures such as frequent hand washing and social distancing are encouraged to combat further outbreaks. More restrictive or relaxed guidance may be in effect depending on the region you are visiting. We recommend keeping up-to-date with official guidelines throughout your trip.

Use of masks: Face masks are required in public spaces, enclosed environments, and on public transportation.

Public transport: Public transport is partially operational.

Restaurants: Restaurants are open as usual. Closing times and restrictions may vary depending on the region.

Bars: Bars are open as usual. Closing times and restrictions may vary depending on the region.

Nightclubs: Nightclubs remain closed to limit the rate of transmission.

Shops: Shops and services are open with adapted safety measures in places, such as the use of hand sanitizer and social distancing. Closing times and restrictions may vary depending on the region.

If you want to plan a trip to Nepal, feel free to contact us for a free consultation or get our latest information. You can also submit your request directly to create your own Nepal tour.