Entering Nepal
Travelling By Air: Nepal Airlines is the national flag carrier of Nepal with flights to/from Delhi, Dubai, Doha, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur. Other international airlines operating from/ to Kathmandu are Air Arabia (Sharjah), Air China (Lhasa), Arkefly (Amsterdam), Bahrain Air (Bahrain), Biman Bangladesh, (Dhaka), Buddha Air (Paro), China Eastern Airlines (Kunming), China Southern Airlines (Guanzhou), Dragon Air (Hong Kong), Druk Air (Delhi, Paro), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi), Flydubai (Dubai), GMG Airlines (Dhaka), Gulf Air (Bahrain), Indian Airlines (Delhi, Kolkotta, Varanasi), Jet Airways (Delhi), Jet Lite (Delhi), Kingfisher Airlines (Delhi), Korean Air (Seoul), Oman Air (Muscat), Pakistan International Airlines (Karachi, Islamabad), Qatar Airways (Doha), Silk Air (Singapore), Thai Airways (Bangkok) and United Airways (Dhaka).
Airfares fluctuate with the changes in exchange rates and are to be paid in foreign currency by foreign nationals. Only Nepalese and Indian nationals are permitted to pay in rupees for air passage between Nepal and India. Departure flight tickets should be reconfirmed three days in advance to avoid inconveniences by possible flight cancellation or changes in the flight schedule. Overweight luggage charges are levied in foreign exchange.
Traveling by road: All visitors entering Nepal by land must use no other entry points other than
Nepal- India border Side
- Kakarbhitta
- Birgunj
- Belhiya, Bhairahawa
- Nepalgunj
- Dhangadi
- Mahendra Nagar
Nepal – China border.
- Kodari(Friendship bridge)
The overland tourists entering the Kingdom with their vehicles must possess an international carnet.
Visa regulation
Tourist Visa
| Visa Facility | Duration | Fee |
| Multiple entry | 15 days | US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency |
| Multiple entry | 30 days | US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency |
| Multiple entry | 90 days | US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency |
Tourist Visa Extension
For visa extention Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of 2 US $ per day. However, a minimum amount of 30 US$ has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less.
Transit Visa
Transit visa for one day can be obtained from Nepal’s immigration offices at the entry points upon the production of departure flight ticket via Tribhuvan International Airport in Nepal, by paying US $ 5 or equivalent convertible currency.
Photo:
For obtaining visa or for renewing visa 1 passport size photo is necessary.
Gratis (Free) Visa
Gratis visa for 30 days is available only for nationals of SAARC countries. However, for extension of visa for SAARC nationals, the rule is same as that of other nationals.
Indian nationals do not require visa to enter into Nepal. Indian National Traveling to Nepal must posses any one of the following documents-
- Valid national passport
- Photo identity card issued by the government of India/any State Government or Union Territory/Administration in India/Identity Cards issued by the Election Commission of India, Ration Card with Photo, Photo Identity card issued by a Government Agency, Driving license with photo, Identity Card with Photo issued by Sub- Divisional Magistrate or any other officials above his rank
- Children between 10-18 years age group are allowed to travel by air on the strength of a passport or photo identity card issued by the Principal of their school or college.
- Emergency Certificate issued by Embassy of India, Kathmandu to Indian nationals in case of emergent conditions.
- Children up to the age of 10 years will not require the above-mentioned documents for traveling between India and Nepal, by air
- It should be NOC Letter from Embassy/Consulate to fly to third country from Nepal
Note:
Nepal provides visa-on-arrival to all the nationals of different countries except the one mentioned below.
The nationals of the following countries are not provided visa-on-arrival and may obtain their visa from Nepalese diplomatic missions located in or near their respective countries prior to arrival in Nepal.
The countries are: Afghanistan, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Palestine, Liberia, Swaziland, Ethiopia and Cameroon.
Entry Points to Nepal
Tourist entry visa can be obtained for the following duration from Nepal Embassy/ Consulate or Mission offices abroad, or at the following immigration offices in Nepal:
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Kakarvitta, Jhapa (Eastern Nepal)
- Birganj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
- Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern Border)
- Belhiya, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi, Western Nepal)
- Jamuna, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western Nepal)
- Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali, Far Western Nepal)
- Gaddachauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur, Far Western Nepal)
Customs: All baggage must be declared and cleared through the customs on arrival at the port of entry. Passengers arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) without any dutiable goods can proceed through the Green Channel for quick clearance without a baggage check. If you are carrying dutiable articles, you have to pass through the Red Channel for detailed customs clearance.
Import: Apart from used personal belongings, visitors are allowed to bring to Nepal free of duty cigarette (200) or cigars (50), distilled liquor) one 1.15 liter bottle), and film (15 rolls). You can also bring in the following articles free of duty on condition that you take them out with you when you leave: binoculars, movie or video camera, still camera, laptop computer, and portable music system.
Export: It is illegal to export objects over 100 years old (sacred images, paintings, manuscripts) that are valued for culture and religious reasons. Visitors are advised not to purchase such items as they are Nepal’s cultural heritage and belong here. The Department of Archaeology has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out of the country. We’ll assist you in this process.
Airport tax: Nowadays the Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu (TIA) are not required to pay any airport all other international destinations. Which has been includes on Air tickets after March 2009, Domestic airport tax is Rs. 170.00 for all nationals including Nepalese.
Currency & Credit Cards
Payment in hotels, travel agencies, and airlines are made in foreign exchange. Credit cards like American Express, Master and Visa are widely accepted at major hotels, shops, and restaurants. Remember to keep your Foreign Exchange Encashment Receipt while making foreign exchange payments or transferring foreign currency into Nepalese rupees. The receipts may be needed to change left-over Nepalese Rupees into hard currency before leaving the country. However, only 10 percent of the total amount may be converted by the bank. ATM is widely in use in Kathmandu. Major banks, hotels, and the exchange counters at Tribhuvan Airport provide services for exchanging foreign currency.
Exchange rates are published in English dailies such as The Rising Nepal, The Kathmandu Post and The Himalayan Times. Nepalese Rupees are found in denominations of 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1. Coins are found in denominations of 10, 25 and 50 paisa. One rupee equals 100 paisa.
Climate
Nepal has a typical monsoonal two – season a year. There is a dry season from October to May and there is the wet season, the monsoon, from June to September. September – November, the start of the dry season, is in many ways the best time of the year in Nepal . When monsoon just ends, the countryside is green and lush. Nepal is at its most beautiful and during this season there are plenty of colorful festivals to enjoy.
