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.4223681/
4222453 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.
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.
You are requested to get the arrival/departure stamp on your
passport at the entry/exit points to avoid further complications.
Living in Nepal without passport or a valid visa is a punishable
offense.
Deviation from the prescribed routes in the trekking permit
will be treated as the violation of the law.
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.
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.
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.
If you encounter problems along the trails, report them to
the nearest police or Immigration post.
You are requested to change money with authorized dealers
and do not forget to take formal receipts.
You are requested to inform the Immigration Office or Police
Station for any changes in your address previously given in
the visa application form.
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.
Passport and trekking permit should be kept by the trekker
while trekking.
Filming in restricted areas or notified areas without permission
is strictly prohibited.
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:
4271504, 4271478) 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:4470110, 4472266.
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 Friday. Banks
are open from Sunday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. Mostly
banks remain open until 12 pm on Saturday.
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.
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