Everything you need to know about a visa for Nepal
Home of the mighty Himalayas, Nepal is rich in history, culture and adventure. Whether for iconic Nepal trekking or a more spiritual pilgrimage, British travellers require a visa to enter Nepal. So, how do you organise a visa for Nepal?
Fear not! Compared to other countries, applying for a Nepal visa is relatively straightforward and can be done either in advance or on arrival. To help you feel confident applying for your Nepal visa, this article guides you through:
- Nepal Visa options for British citizens
- Costs
- Trekking permits and logistics
- How to apply
Do UK citizens need a visa for Nepal?
Yes, UK citizens need a visa for Nepal.
If you have a full British passport and are travelling to Nepal, you can either apply for a visa online before you travel or obtain one on arrival.
Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (airport code KTM) is the main international airport in Nepal. You’ll find visa desks and terminals there to secure your visa upon arrival.
How to get a Nepal visa: Your two options
There are two ways to obtain a visa for Nepal: online or on arrival.
Applying for a Nepal visa online is the most efficient method; however, you will still queue to confirm and pay for it upon arrival in Kathmandu.
Worth noting: Online applications for Nepal visas are more of a pre-registration process rather than a full issuance of an e-visa. Don’t let the wording confuse you.
1. Online Nepal Visa
For UK citizens who prefer to apply online for a Nepal visa, the Department of Immigration Nepal offers a digital visa portal. Using the option titled “Visa on Arrival” will lead you to several fields that need to be filled, including:
- Personal details: Name, date of birth, nationality, place of birth, occupation, contact information, and address.
- Passport information: Passport number, issue and expiry date, country of issue.
- Travel dates: Length of stay, accommodation address, itinerary, tour operator.
- Purpose of visit: Holiday, trekking, business, or other.
- Length of visa required: 15, 30, or 90 days.
In addition to providing these details, you’ll need a recent passport-style photograph. Once submitted, you’ll usually receive a digital receipt of submission.
You’ll need to take your confirmation receipt to the relevant kiosk upon arrival in Nepal. Nepal's immigration authority usually asks travellers to produce a printed receipt, so we strongly recommend printing this receipt before you travel, rather than relying solely on a digital copy.
Having an offline digital copy and a paper copy means you won't be caught out by a dead phone battery, lack of signal, or login issues at a busy airport desk.
You’ll also be asked to pay for your visa at this point, in cash or by card. Then you’ll need to queue to receive your visa.
Good to know: You can only apply online for a Nepal visa up to 15 days before your arrival date.
2. Nepal visa on arrival
Some UK travellers to Nepal prefer to arrange a visa on arrival. The application asks for the same information as the fields listed above and requires your physical passport.
Applying for a visa on arrival is straightforward for most, but can incur lengthy queueing time if there are multiple flights arriving simultaneously.
Nepal visa requirements
There are several requirements for obtaining a visa for Nepal. These are:
- 6 months' validity on your passport
- A blank page in your passport for the visa
- Travel insurance to cover the cost of healthcare, emergencies and repatriation
- Booking confirmation of where you’ll spend your first night in Nepal
How much does a Nepal visa cost?
At the time of writing in June 2026, the cost of a Nepal visa is:
- 15 Days multiple entry: $30 (approximately £22)
- 30 Days multiple entry: $50 (approximately £38)
- 90 Days multiple entry: $125 (approximately £93)
Visa applications for children under 10 years old are free of charge.
While you can pay by card for your Nepal visa fee, it's a good idea to arrive with the correct amount of cash in pounds sterling or US dollars in case of power cuts or card machine/network outages at the airport.
The currency of Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). The NPR is a closed currency, which means you can’t purchase rupees before you arrive in Nepal. You’ll be able to change money at the airport, but US dollars are accepted for visa payments.
What permits do you need to trek in Nepal?
To trek in Nepal, you need a TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System). This is a national park entry permit for the destination you’re visiting and a Local Municipality Permit, if trekking in the Everest region.
It’s always a good idea to check the most up-to-date information for Nepal trekking permits before you travel, as requirements do change occasionally.
Let’s look at some of the different types of permits required.
TIMS card
Here’s everything you need to know about a TIMS card:
- Approximate cost: 2,000 NPR ($13/£10)
- TIMS card fees may vary. This depends on your nationality. Nepali nationals pay less than foreign travellers.
- Short for Trekkers' Information Management System. You can think of a TIMS card as a tracker for trekkers. They help authorities quickly identify you in an emergency and coordinate any rescue efforts. You can get a TIMS card from the Nepal Tourism Board in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
- A TIMS card is no longer required for every trekking destination. Recent changes to regulations in Nepal mean that, instead, rural municipalities issue permits, which directly fund conservation, trail maintenance and local infrastructure improvements.
Get inspired: Our blogs about things to do in Kathmandu and this guide to Pokhara are both packed with helpful tips for your time in Nepal.
Permits for the Everest Base Camp Trek
In addition to a TIMS card, trekkers hiking in Sagarmatha National Park (where Everest is located) are required to pay park entrance fees and a Khumbu local municipality permit.The official fees for Sagarmatha National Park entry permits are:
- Foreign nationals: 3,000 NPR per person
- SAARC nationals: 1,500 NPR per person
- Nepali citizens: 100 NPR per person
- Children under 10: Free
You can pay for your park entry permit either at the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or at the park entrance checkpoint in Monjo, on the trail between Phakding and Namche Bazaar.
The Khumbu local municipality permit works a little differently. It can't be arranged in advance in Kathmandu. If you're flying into Lukla, you'll pick this permit up on arrival there. If you're trekking in via Jiri or Salleri, you can get it at the same Monjo checkpoint as your park entry permit.
Permits for the Annapurna Region
Whether a TIMS card is needed to trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area is currently unclear. Official sources say a TIMS card is still required, but local tour operators say an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, or ACAP, is sufficient.
To err on the side of caution, budget for a TIMS card and verify locally or with your tour operator. The cost of an ACAP is 3,000 NPR. This covers entry into the area and funds conservation, trail maintenance and community projects within the region.
You can obtain an ACAP permit through the Nepal Tourist Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or if travelling with a tour operator like Kandoo Adventures, they’ll source it on your behalf.
Good to know: If you book a trip to Nepal with a tour operator like Kandoo Adventures, your permits, park entry, and all fees are included within your trip price.
Why do you need a permit for trekking in Nepal?
Issuing permits is how the government ensures adventure travel to Nepal is sustainable. Money from Nepal trekking permits goes toward:
- Conservation of landscapes and ecosystems
- Preservation and management of paths, trails and access roads
- Supporting infrastructure for rural communities
- Monitoring the safety of trekkers
- Ensuring tourism continues to benefit the country
How long can you stay in Nepal on a tourist visa?
As a British citizen, you can stay in Nepal for up to 150 days per calendar year.
Typical visa durations are 15, 30, or 90 days, but it’s possible to extend these either online or at the embassy in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
For most trekking trips, a 30-day visa is ample time for a trekking adventure as well as time to explore afterwards.
Nepal visa tips for UK trekkers
- Ensure your passport has at least 6 months of validity left on it from the date you plan to return to the UK.
- Check you have one full, clear page in your passport for your Nepal visa.
- Have proof of travel insurance readily available on entry to Nepal.
- Keep the booking confirmation of where you’re spending your first night in Nepal handy to show authorities, if asked.
Visiting Nepal with Kandoo
Visit Nepal with Kandoo Adventures, and you won’t have to sidestep complicated, changeable logistics. All you need to do is sort a visa, and we do the rest.
From Kathmandu to Lukla, Everest Base Camp and back, our friendly local guides are with you every step of the way. Their expertise, stories and connections bring the Himalayas to life, offering insights into mountain culture that independent travellers rarely experience.
For unforgettable adventures in Nepal with an experienced trekking company, look no further. We have just the trip for you!
