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.

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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.

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:

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.

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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

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Here's a little legalese from the Nepalese ~ requesting your cooperation to observe the following guidelines during your stay in Nepal.

- 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

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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.

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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.

For more Information Visit :- Royal Nepalese Embassy London

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