Nepal Visa and Trekking Permits: Complete Guide (2026)
Getting into Nepal and onto the trails requires two things: a visa and trekking permits. This guide covers both in full: the on-arrival visa process, every trekking permit you might need, costs for 2026, where to obtain them, recent rule changes, and the special rules that apply to Indian and SAARC nationals. Use it as your master reference, then follow the linked deep-dive guides for each topic.
1. Nepal visa types at a glance
Most visitors travel on a tourist visa, but Nepal issues several categories, and knowing which one you need prevents problems at the counter:
- Tourist visa: 15, 30, or 90 days, available on arrival for most nationalities. This is what trekkers, sightseers, and pilgrims use.
- Business visa: for investors and company representatives, typically USD 100 per month or around USD 1,000 per year, arranged with Ministry of Industry documentation.
- Student visa: sponsored by a recognized Nepali college or university, with modest monthly fees.
- Transit visa: around USD 5 for up to three days, for travellers passing through to a third country.
- Working, journalist, and non-tourist visas: for employment, media work, NGO roles, and long-term residence; all require sponsorship and pre-approval, and none can be collected on arrival.
- Diplomatic and official visas: issued through embassies for government travel.
For trekking and tourism, only the tourist visa matters. The sections below focus on it.
2. Nepal Visa on Arrival
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) or at designated land borders. Read the full step-by-step airport walkthrough in the Nepal Visa on Arrival 2026 guide. Key points:
- 15-day visa: USD 30 | 30-day visa: USD 50 | 90-day visa: USD 125
- Bring 2 passport photos and exact USD cash.
- Fill out the online application form in advance on the official immigration portal to save time at the kiosk queue.
For a broader overview including embassy applications and eligibility by nationality, see Nepal Tourist Visa Guide 2026.
3. Visa extensions and overstay rules
If your trip outgrows your visa, extend it at the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, or the immigration office in Pokhara, before the current visa expires. The current schedule: a minimum 15-day extension block costs USD 45, and each additional day beyond that costs USD 3. Bring your passport, one photo, and the fee; processing usually takes a few hours to one working day. The total stay on a tourist visa in any visa year is capped at 150 days.
Applying after expiry triggers extra penalties, and overstays must be settled at the airport before departure, which can mean missing a flight. If a long trek plus buffer days is on your itinerary, buying the 30-day visa up front is usually cheaper than extending a 15-day one. Trekkers heading into restricted areas should also remember that permit days and visa days are counted separately: a 90-day visa plus a 10-day Upper Mustang permit do not conflict, but both must remain valid.
4. Indian and SAARC nationals: what differs
Nepal treats Indian nationals and citizens of other SAARC countries differently from other foreigners, and the differences touch both visas and permits:
- Indian citizens need no visa at all and enter on a photo ID such as a passport, voter ID, or Aadhaar card. They do not need a TIMS card for trekking, but national park and conservation area permits still apply, at reduced Indian rates rather than the foreigner rates.
- SAARC nationals (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka) generally receive a 30-day gratis visa on first entry in a visa year, then standard fees for extensions. Park entry fees are typically about half the foreigner rate, around NPR 1,000-1,500 for areas like ACAP and Sagarmatha.
- Chinese nationals receive a gratis tourist visa as well.
One caution for Indian and SAARC trekkers: restricted area permits such as Upper Mustang and Manaslu are charged at full foreigner rates for everyone except Indians on some routes, and Indian nationals still need the restricted area permit paperwork for those regions. Confirm your specific route with your agency before budgeting.
5. TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System)
Every foreign trekker in Nepal must carry a TIMS Card, which registers your route and contact details for safety and rescue purposes. Full details in the Nepal Trekking Permits Guide:
- Individual TIMS: NPR 2,000 | Group TIMS (through agency): NPR 1,000
- Available at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and through registered agencies.
- Requires passport copy, 2 photos, and your trekking route.
Since the 2023 guide requirement, solo trekking without a licensed guide is no longer permitted, so independent trekkers now register their TIMS alongside a guide or agency. The card is issued on the spot and takes about 15 minutes with complete documents. TIMS is not needed for the Everest region if you enter with a guide and park permit arrangement through an agency, but the safe default is to get one for any multi-day trek.
6. National Park and Conservation Area Permits
In addition to TIMS, each region has its own entry permit that funds conservation and local communities:
- Sagarmatha National Park (Everest): NPR 3,000
- Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP): NPR 3,000. See the Annapurna Circuit itinerary and our wider Annapurna region treks guide
- Manaslu Conservation Area (MCAP): NPR 3,000. See Manaslu Trek Permits
- Langtang National Park: NPR 3,000. See Langtang Trek and the Gosaikunda Lake trek guide
- Chitwan National Park: NPR 1,500. See Chitwan Guide
Park permits are checked at entry gates along the trail, not just at purchase. Keep the paper receipt with your passport the entire trek; losing it can mean buying a second permit at the next checkpost. Children under 10 generally enter free, and the permits are one-time entries, so a trek that re-enters the same park needs only one purchase.
7. Restricted Area Permits
Some areas require special permits that are more expensive and must be arranged in advance through a registered trekking agency, with a minimum group of two trekkers plus a guide. Individual applications are not accepted at the Department of Immigration:
- Upper Mustang: USD 500 per person for 10 days, USD 50 per day thereafter. See the Upper Mustang Trek 2026 guide
- Manaslu: USD 100 per person per week (September-November), USD 75 per week (December-August) on the classic Gorkha entry; the Dhading Bensi entry carries a lower band of USD 50 and USD 30 per week. See Manaslu Circuit Guide
- Tsum Valley: around USD 35 per week in season, USD 25 off-season, on top of MCAP
- Nar-Phu: USD 90 per week in season, slightly less off-season
- Dolpo: Upper Dolpo USD 500 per person for 10 days; Lower Dolpo around USD 10 per week
- Kanchenjunga and Humla: smaller weekly fees, roughly USD 10-50 per week depending on the area
Restricted area permits list a fixed route and date window, and straying outside it invalidates the permit. Your agency handles the application at the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, typically 2-3 working days before departure, and needs your passport, photos, insurance details, and the full route. Plan these treks with an agency from the start; there is no self-service option.
8. Which permit for which trek
| Trek or region | TIMS | Entry permit | Restricted permit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp and Gokyo | Required | Sagarmatha NP, NPR 3,000 | None |
| Annapurna Base Camp and Circuit | Required | ACAP, NPR 3,000 | None |
| Manaslu Circuit | Required | MCAP, NPR 3,000 | USD 100/75 per week |
| Tsum Valley | Required | MCAP, NPR 3,000 | USD 35/25 per week |
| Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda | Required | Langtang NP, NPR 3,000 | None |
| Upper Mustang | Required | ACAP, NPR 3,000 | USD 500 for 10 days |
| Nar-Phu | Required | ACAP, NPR 3,000 | USD 90 per week |
| Upper Dolpo | Required | Shey Phoksundo NP, NPR 3,000 | USD 500 for 10 days |
| Chitwan safari | Not required | Chitwan NP, NPR 1,500 | None |
Budget roughly USD 25-35 per person for TIMS plus park entry on the popular non-restricted routes, on top of your visa. Restricted-area treks add the fees listed above, and Upper Mustang is the most permit-expensive mainstream trek in Nepal.
9. Where to buy each permit
- TIMS: Nepal Tourism Board counters in Kathmandu (Bhrikutimandap) and Pokhara, or through your registered agency. Same-day issue with photos and a passport copy.
- ACAP: the ACAP office in Pokhara, the NTB counter in Kathmandu, or the permit checkpost at trailheads such as Besisahar for the Circuit.
- Sagarmatha: the NTB counter in Kathmandu or the park gate at Monjo on the Everest trail.
- Langtang NP: the park office at Dhunche or the NTB counter in Kathmandu.
- MCAP: the NTB counter in Kathmandu or the checkpoint entering the conservation area on the Manaslu trail.
- Restricted areas: Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, through your agency only, 2-3 working days ahead.
Most agencies bundle TIMS and park permits into the trek package, which is the simplest route if you are already hiring a guide. Independent travellers with a guide can buy them directly and save the service fee. Align your permit days with the trekking windows in our best time to visit Nepal guide.
10. Recent changes (2025-2026)
Nepal now requires all trekkers to have a licensed guide, and solo trekking without a guide is no longer permitted in national parks. Digital visitor tracking has also been introduced. Read more in Digital Visitor Tracking and Restricted Area Trek Rule Changes.
11. How to get to Nepal
For flight routes, airports, and overland border crossings, see How to Get to Nepal 2026.
Quick FAQ
Can I get a visa on arrival?
Yes, for most nationalities. Bring USD cash and 2 passport photos. Fill out the online form at immigration.gov.np before arrival to save 30 minutes.
Do I need a permit before I arrive?
No. TIMS and national park permits can be obtained in Kathmandu or Pokhara before starting your trek. Restricted-area permits require 2-3 days to process through an agency.
Can I extend my visa?
Yes, at the Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, or the Pokhara office. USD 45 for a minimum 15-day block, USD 3 per day thereafter. Bring your passport and one photo, and apply before expiry.
Do children need permits?
Foreign children need their own visa, but park entry is generally free under 10 years old. TIMS rules for children follow the adult rate through agencies.
What happens if I lose a permit on the trail?
Checkposts issue a replacement only with your receipt details, and often require repurchasing. Keep permits and receipts in a dry bag with your passport.
Can I trek without a guide?
Not anymore. Since the rule change, all national park trekking requires a licensed guide, and restricted areas additionally require a minimum group of two trekkers plus a guide through an agency.
Published by the TravellingNepal Editorial Desk from Department of Immigration, Nepal Tourism Board, and conservation area office schedules. Fees are set by government notice and change periodically; confirm current amounts on the official immigration site and with your agency before travel.
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