eTA Nepal
Tourism - Trekking - Pilgrimage - Volunteering
Visamundi vous accompagnera prochainement sur cette destination.
Nepal, with its majestic peaks, age-old culture and lush green valleys, is a dream destination. However, before you set out to tackle the Annapurna trails or stroll through Kathmandu's Durbar Square, there's one administrative step you must take: obtaining your visa.
At Visamundi, we often notice confusion among future travelers about the Nepalese “electronic visa” (or e-Visa). Let's get to the bottom of it, to ensure a smooth, stress-free arrival.
The reality of the Nepalese “Electronic Visa
A common misconception needs to be corrected: Nepal does not offer a classic “e-Visa”, i.e. a system where you pay online and receive a definitive visa by e-mail before your departure.
Strictly speaking, Nepal does not issue definitive electronic visas from abroad. The official system in force combines two elements:
- A visa on arrival (Visa On Arrival) The physical visa, in the form of a sticker in the passport, is issued only on Nepalese soil by the immigration services, at Kathmandu international airport or at one of the authorized land border crossings.
- Mandatory online pre-registration on the Immigration Department portal. This process, often mistakenly referred to as «e-visa Nepal», is designed to streamline arrival checks and avoid long queues at Tribhuvan airport counters.
As part of the consular procedure set up by the Honorary Consulate General of Nepal in Rouen, pre-registration is supplemented by an additional step that leads to the issue of a electronic travel authorization (eTA). This document, sent by e-mail, is used as a tourist visa to clear controls on arrival. This is the route recommended by Visamundi for all travelers wishing to secure their entry into the country.
| In a nutshell Your Nepal visa is issued in Nepal, but you can secure and speed up the process by applying online before you leave, and receiving an official eTA. |
Eligible nationalities: Who can pre-register?
Nepal's visa policy is one of the most open in Asia. The vast majority of international travellers can apply for a tourist visa, whether they live in Europe, North America, Latin America, Oceania or most Asian countries. This applies in particular to nationals of French, Belgian, Swiss, Luxembourg, Canadian, American, British, Australian, New Zealander, Japanese, South Korean, as well as all citizens of the European Union and most Latin American countries.
In the interests of efficiency, we have for the time being limited the nationalities we serve. France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible for a visa on arrival. They must apply in advance to a Nepalese embassy or consulate before departure: Afghanistan, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Swaziland, Syria and Zimbabwe.
The special case of Indian citizens : Under bilateral agreements, Indian nationals do not need a visa to enter and stay in Nepal.
The eTA procedure: how does it work?
It all depends on the method you choose
The “arrival in Nepal only” method”
The price of your visa depends exclusively on the maximum duration of your stay.. Payment is made directly at dedicated counters at the airport or at border crossings, and exclusively in cash. The rates below are for payment on arrival in Nepal only.
| Maximum length of stay | Price per person | Type of trip |
| Up to 15 days | 30 $ US | Short cultural visits, quick treks (e.g. Poon Hill) |
| Up to 30 days | 50 $ US | Most major treks (Everest Base Camp) |
| Up to 90 days | 125 $ US | Long stays, volunteering, multiple alpine expeditions |
Our agency's advice Currency: Although euros are generally accepted at the daily exchange rate set by the airport, we strongly recommend that you make up the difference in U.S. dollars (USD). Above all, make sure your banknotes are in perfect condition: unbroken, uncreased and of recent issue. Nepalese customs officials often refuse to accept damaged banknotes. Don't rely on your bank card, as terminals regularly break down.
Be patient, queues of over 2 hours are common...
Pre-registration on the government portal is immediate, but be careful about the timing, as this is where many travelers make a mistake.
The 15-day rule The online form generates a bar-coded receipt. This barcode has a strict validity period of 15 days.
Note: Visas are totally free for children under 10, but they still need their own passport and a pre-registration form in their name.
| People who have obtained refugee orstateless and traveling with a Travel document (Travel Document) cannot apply. They must contact the’Embassy of Nepal in Paris, 45 bis rue des Acacias, 75017 Paris, open Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 1:00pm. |
The “get your eTA BEFORE you arrive in Nepal” method”
In this case, consular fees are slightly higher, requiring more manpower.
| Maximum length of stay | Price per person | Type of trip |
| Up to 15 days | 47 € | Short cultural visits, quick treks (e.g. Poon Hill) |
| Up to 30 days | 67 € | Most major treks (Everest Base Camp) |
| Up to 90 days | 147 € | Long stays, volunteering, multiple alpine expeditions |
To this must be added our service charge of €49 / passenger.
Obtain eTA via Visamundi
Unlike some agencies that are content to wait for your Nepalese form before taking any steps, we take care of everything:
- filling in the form https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/
- document control
- submission to the honorary consul
- payment of consular fees
- checking the visa issued
The Honorary Consulate General of Nepal in Rouen indicates a maximum 21 days from receipt of the complete application for the issue of the eTA. No emergency procedure is available: there is no accelerated processing, and no derogation is possible. Visamundi recommends that you submit your application at least 4 weeks before your departure date, to avoid any delays in processing or requests for additional information.
Period of validity of the eTA
Entry to Nepal is authorized within 6 months of the date of issue of the eTA. Once on site, the length of stay is calculated in calendar days from the date of entry. The count does not take into account the time of arrival: an entry at 10 p.m. is counted as a full day.
What documents do you need?
For you pre-register, Please have a recent digital passport photo ready, a passport that is less than 6 months old on arrival in Nepal, and the address of your first hotel. All documents must be scanned and of good quality.
Our services guarantee the transmission of a complete file and follow up with the Honorary Consulate General of Nepal in Rouen. Once your file has been validated, you will receive an electronic travel authorization (eTA). You'll receive your tourist visa on arrival in Nepal.
Documents to be presented on arrival
To pass immigration control smoothly and obtain your tourist visa, you must have in your possession :
- A valid passport at least 6 months after your planned departure date from Nepal, including at least one blank page for the visa sticker.
- Your electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- A printed copy of your return or onward air ticket (sometimes required by airlines on departure or by customs).
At the airport: How to avoid wasting time?
Kathmandu's Tribhuvan international airport can be chaotic, especially during the peak trekking seasons (October-November and March-May). Waiting times vary from 30 minutes to over 2 hours. Automated kiosks are available. Visa on arrival is available from following entry points :
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Birganj ( Indian border )
- Bheemdatta (Indian border)
- Dhangadhi (Indian border)
- Nepalgunj (Indian border)
- Kakarbhitta (Indian border)
- Kodari (Chinese border, opposite: Zhangmu)
- Siddharthanagar (Indian border)
Having an eTA saves all that time!
Extending your stay
Once in Nepal, it's not uncommon to want to extend your trip. It's perfectly possible! You can extend your tourist visa up to a maximum of 150 days per calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
- The extension is made in the immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- The cost is approximately 3 $ US per additional day (with a flat minimum of 15 days required).
Please note: Never overstay your visa. Daily fines are heavy, and may result in inadmissibility.
Is it possible to obtain a visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport?
Yes, visas on arrival can be issued at Tribhuvan airport and at authorized border crossings. You must have pre-registered online on the Immigration Department's portal and printed out the form containing the following information Submission Number. Payment is made in cash on site, preferably in USD (euros accepted).
Why apply online via the consulate rather than on arrival?
There are several advantages: you avoid the sometimes long wait at airport ticket offices (up to 2 hours in high season), your payment is secured upstream, and you receive an official authorization (eTA) to present with your passport, which also reassures airlines at boarding time. This is the most worry-free option, especially for families and travellers on a tight schedule.
Will I receive a tourist visa or an electronic travel authorization?
As part of the online procedure, you will receive a electronic travel authorization (eTA). The physical tourist visa sticker is then affixed to your passport on arrival by the Nepalese immigration officer, based on your eTA and passport.
For which travel purposes is the eTA valid?
The eTA issued via the online procedure covers stays of tourist in the broadest sense: traditional tourism, trekking, cultural visits, pilgrimages, spiritual retreats, short-term unpaid voluntary work, and business travel with no local economic activity. For study, mission, journalism or work visas, a specific application must be made to the Nepalese Embassy in Paris.
I'm not French: can I apply via Visamundi?
Yes, provided you are a national of a country eligible for a Nepalese visa on arrival and not listed among the excluded nationalities. However, the conditions for obtaining an eTA may vary according to your country of residence and the relevant diplomatic mission. Contact our teams beforehand to check your eligibility.
How long does it take to process my application?
The Honorary Consulate General of Nepal indicates a maximum delay of 21 days from receipt of a complete application. Visamundi recommends that you plan ahead at least 3 to 4 weeks before departure. There is no urgent procedure.
My passport expires in 5 months, is that enough?
No. The 6 months validity after return date is strictly enforced by the Nepalese authorities. No exceptions are possible. You must renew your passport before applying for a visa.
Do my children need a visa?
Yes. The children under 10 years old are entitled to a free visa, but must apply in the usual way, with their own passport and pre-registration form. Children aged 10 and over pay the standard rate.
How many entries does my eTA give me?
The eTA is valid for single entry on Nepalese territory. If you leave the country (e.g. for a trip to Tibet or a detour to India) and wish to return, you will need to apply for a new visa on your return to the Nepalese border.
Can I extend my stay once I've arrived?
Yes, up to a cumulative limit of 150 days per calendar year, by visiting the immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The cost is around 3 USD per additional day, with a minimum stay of 15 days.
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