Getting Nepal Visas (Legal Issues & Red Tape)

General Information
Nepal extends trouble-free issuance of visa to all the citizens worldwide at Royal Nepalese Embassies or Consulates abroad and at entry-point Immigration Offices. Presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and fees mentioned below are required.

Lastest News
His Majesty's Government of Nepal has announced a new policy of waiving visa fee for any tourist visiting the country for a period of 3 days. Similarly tourists coming from South Asian countries (SAARC) as well as neighboring People's Republic of China will also get free visa to Nepal. Likewise arrangements have been made to provide free visa for any national for re-entry to Nepal provided those tourists have stayed at least for 15 days in the country in a visa year (Jan-Dec). VisitNepal.com highly welcomes this step taken by the Government to drive the Nepalese tourism industry towards a new height.

Immigration Office	Hours
Department of Immigration (Kathmandu) Recently move to Bhrikuti Mandap next to the Tourist Service Centre. Visa extension and trekking permit applications are accepted from 9:00 to 1:00 PM only (but not accepted after 12:00 on Friday).	Mon - Fri 9AM - 4PM -Winter- Mon - Fri 9 AM -5PM - Summer-

Getting Nepal Tourist Visas

A Visa is necessary to enter Nepal and can be obtained for the following duration from any Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or at the entry points in Nepal.

The rules below have been updated as of September 2001.

• Single entry tourist visas can be obtained by paying US $30 for 60 days.
• If you wish to leave and re-enter the country, you'll need to pay additional fees. US $25 for Single Re-entry, US $40 for Double Re-entry and US $60 for Multiple Re-entry.
• If you leave and wish to Re-enter Nepal as a tourist within 150 day of the same visa year, you may pay US $50 for 30 days.
• Visitors may extend their tourist visa by paying US $50 for 30 days.
• Trekking permits are not required for Everest, Annapurna and Langtang areas.
• Business visas with multiple entry facilities are available at a rate of US $100 for one year and US $250 for five years. Ministry of Industry recommendation is required.
  

Getting Nepal Non-Tourist Visas

Marriage Visas
For those married to a Nepali citizen and wanting to stay in Nepal for as long as you like and without getting a Nepali passport and giving up your country of birth passport (which is not always a good idea!), a non-tourist marriage visa is the best way to go.

Changing from a tourist visa to a non-tourist visa can sometimes be a lengthy process and a lot of waiting around before they get to your file!
You need to visit the Department of Immigration office next to the tourist visa office in Bhrikuti Mandap, phone no.223681/222453 and collect a form for Non-Tourist visas. It's open the same hours as the tourist visa office. The processing time will take about 7 days as they asses your information. You can get issued a visa for as long as you like, 2, 4, 6 months, as long as you pay the US$10/month (about Rs750) for single entry. For a single re-entry you pay an extra US$25.

You require the following documents:

• The application form photocopied 6 times (so you have 7 forms). Sign the forms after you have photocopied them!
• 7 passport photos one for each form.
• Photocopies of your own and your partners passports, including a copy of your current tourist visa.
• Photocopy of your partners Nepali citizenship card.
• Photocopy of your marriage certificate.
• If you need to renew your non-tourist visa you only require 2 forms, 2 passport photos and a photocopy of your passport with last issued visa.

Remember to take all originals with you at time of application and when you go in to collect your visa form ask what documents you need, the Nepali government changes the rules regularly.

Residential Visa
This visa is for those people who want to permanently live in Nepal.
For the first year a fee of US$200 needs to be paid, then each year it's renewed a fee of US$100. It's a multiply entry visa so you can come in and out of Nepal as you like.

Obtaining a Transit Visa for Nepal

A transit visa can be obtained from Airport Immigration for a period of 48 hrs. on the presentation of airline ticket.

Fee for Transit Visa: US$ 5.00

Important Note to all Visitors and Trekkers
Here's a little legalese from the Nepalese ~ requesting your cooperation to observe the following guidelines during your stay in Nepal.

1. All foreign visitors are requested to be mindful of the date of expiry of the Nepalese visa and their passports to avoid future problems. As such, you are requested to apply for a visa extension, if you wish so, within the valid period of the Nepalese visa.
2. You are requested to get the arrival/departure stamp on your passport at the entry/exit points to avoid further complications.
3. Living in Nepal without passport or a valid visa is a punishable offense.
4. Deviation from the prescribed routes in the trekking permit will be treated as the violation of the law.
5. You are advised to be aware of brokers/cheaters or any counterfeit documents of visa/trekking permits to avoid legal complications. If you are not visiting/trekking through any authorized agency, do not use mediators for visa/trekking permits. You are requested to contact the Immigration Office directly.
6. Change of purpose of stay without permission is not allowed and employment or voluntary service while on a tourist visa is strictly prohibited. It will be a punishable offense.
7. Be sure to register at the police and Immigration cheek point along the trail. It is wise to register your trekking destination and schedule at your Embassy or Consulate.
8. If you encounter problems along the trails, report them to the nearest police or Immigration post.
9. You are requested to change money with authorized dealers and do not forget to take formal receipts.
10. You are requested to inform the Immigration Office or Police Station for any changes in your address previously given in the visa application form.
11. You are advised to be mindful to contact the Immigration Department for visa transfer in case of getting new passport or travel document from you Embassy/Consulate.
12. Passport and trekking permit should be kept by the trekker while trekking.
13. Filming in restricted areas or notified areas without permission is strictly prohibited.
14. Respect local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect local cultures and maintain local pride.

- Respect privacy when taking photographs
- Respect holy places
- Refrain from giving money to children since it will encourage begging
- Respect for local etiquette earns you respect
- Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
- Protect the natural environment
- Leave the campsite cleaner than you have found it
- Limit deforestation - make no open fires
- Burn dry papers and packets in a safe place
- Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
- Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment
- Help your guides and porters to follow conservation measures

Nepal Customs and Airport Information

Green Channel: 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 cigarettes (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 (Ph: 271504, 271478) at Ramshah Path near Singha Durbar has to certify all metal statues, sacred paintings and similar objects before they are allowed to be sent or carried out of the country. Handicraft dealers and travel agents are able to assist you in this process. For more information on customs matters, contact the Chief Customs Administrator, TIA Customs Office; Ph:470110, 472266.

Airport Tax : Passengers departing from the Tribhuvan International Airport are required to pay an airport tax of Rs. 900 if going to SAARC countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) and Rs. 1100.00 to all other international destinations. Domestic airport tax is Rs. 165.

Nepal Time and Business Hours

Nepal is five hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT. Government offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays they remain open until 3 pm. Banks are open from Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm. On Fridays, banks remain open until 12 pm only. Business offices are open from 10 am to 5 pm Sunday through Friday.

Embassies and international organizations are open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Most shops open after 10 am and close at about 8 pm and are usually closed on Saturdays.

Although Nepal works seven days a week, it observes numerous holidays, at the least a couple a month. So please check the holiday calendar. Government offices observe all the holidays and banks observe most of them. Businesses observe the major holidays only.

Big News: As of August 1999, Nepal government offices have begun to observe a five-day work week. Expect businesses to follow accordingly.

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