Entry · TIMS · park & restricted permits
Visas & Permits
What you pay, where you get it, and which permit your trek actually needs — visas, TIMS, ACAP, Sagarmatha and the restricted areas.
Tourist visaUSD 30 / 50 / 125
TIMSNPR 2,000
Park permitNPR 3,000
Restricted areaFrom USD 100/week
WhereAirport · NTB · agency
Nepal splits paperwork into two layers: the entry visa (everyone) and trekking permits (anyone going into a protected or restricted area). Both are straightforward, both are cash-only in practice, and both are the most common source of delay at the start of a trek.
This page lists the current fees, which permit applies to which route, and the order to collect them in so you are not sent back across Kathmandu twice.
On this pageTourist visa — types and feesTrekking permits — what each route needsWhere to get themWhat it costs for a typical trekTiming and gotchas
Tourist visa — types and fees
Buy on arrival at Tribhuvan Airport or at major land borders, or in advance as an e-visa. Payment is in cash (USD is accepted, NPR is accepted at a worse rate); bring two passport photos and a passport valid for six months.
| Visa | Stay | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist | 15 days | 30 | Single or multiple entry |
| Tourist | 30 days | 50 | The usual choice |
| Tourist | 90 days | 125 | Per calendar year, extensions available |
| Extension | +15 / +30 / +90 days | 30 / 50 / 125 | At the Department of Immigration, Kathmandu |
| SAARC national | 30 days | Free | Except Afghanistan; ID or passport required |
| Chinese national | 30 days | Free | Reciprocal arrangement |
| Business | 1 month / 1 year | 100 / 1,000 | Ministry of Industry documentation required |
Trekking permits — what each route needs
TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) is the general trekking registration: NPR 2,000 per person individually, or NPR 1,000 if you go through a registered agency group. On top of that, each protected area charges its own entry fee.
| Route / area | Permits | Fee | Agency required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everest / Khumbu | Sagarmatha NP + Khumbu rural municipality + TIMS | NPR 3,000 + ~2,000 + 2,000 | Yes — guide mandated |
| Annapurna (ABC, Circuit, Mardi) | ACAP + TIMS | NPR 3,000 + 2,000 | No, outside restricted zones |
| Langtang / Gosainkunda | Langtang NP + TIMS | NPR 3,000 + 2,000 | No |
| Manaslu Circuit | MCAP + restricted-area permit + TIMS | NPR 3,000 + USD 100/week | Yes — min. 2 trekkers |
| Upper Mustang | ACAP + restricted-area permit | NPR 3,000 + USD 500/10 days | Yes — min. 2 trekkers |
| Upper Dolpo | Shey Phoksundo NP + restricted permit | NPR 3,000 + USD 500/10 days | Yes |
| Kanchenjunga / Nar Phu / Tsum | Restricted-area permit | USD 20–500 by area | Yes |
| Chitwan safari | Chitwan NP entry | NPR 1,500 | Guide needed inside the park |
| Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lumbini | None | — | No |
Where to get them
Two offices handle almost everything: the Nepal Tourism Board at Pradarshani Marga (Bhrikutimandap) in Kathmandu and its counterpart in Pokhara. TIMS and most park permits are issued there in about 30 minutes with a photo and passport copy. Restricted-area permits go through your licensed agency, which submits to the Department of Immigration on your behalf — individuals cannot apply directly.
What it costs for a typical trek
For Everest Base Camp: NPR 3,000 park + about NPR 2,000 local + TIMS comes to roughly USD 30–35 per person. For Annapurna Base Camp: ACAP plus TIMS, about USD 35. Restricted areas are a different order of magnitude — the Upper Mustang permit alone is USD 500 for ten days, which is why that trek costs USD 1,400+.
Carry the cash in Nepali rupees when you arrive in Kathmandu; the permit offices do not take cards.
Timing and gotchas
- TIMS is issued per trek, not per trip — a second trek means a second card.
- Permits are checked at checkpoints inside the park; carry the paper copy, not a photo of it.
- Restricted-area permits name every trekker and the route: changing your itinerary mid-trek needs agency approval.
- Visa extensions take a morning at the Immigration Office in Kathmandu — go early, bring photos and cash.
- If you overstay a visa, the fine is charged per day at the airport, in cash.
- Park fees are separate from the visa and are never included in a tour price you booked abroad.
Guides to go deeper
Nepal Visa and Trekking Permits: Complete Guide (2026)
Trekking & Expeditions
Trekking Permits in Nepal 2026: TIMS Card, ACAP, MCAP and Other Fees Explained
Trekking & Expeditions
Nepal Visa on Arrival 2026: Fees, Eligibility, and How to Apply at Kathmandu Airport
Visa & Immigration
Manaslu Trek Permits 2025: Your Complete Guide to Costs & Rules
Trekking & Expeditions
Nepal Tourist Visa 2026: Fees, On-Arrival Process & Who Gets It Free
Travel Guides
Everest Base Camp Trek: Complete Guide (2026)
Trekking & Expeditions
Questions travellers ask
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Yes, for most nationalities, at Tribhuvan Airport and at the main land borders. Bring USD cash, two photos and a passport with six months’ validity. An e-visa bought online shortens the queue.
Is TIMS required for every trek?
For most, yes — Everest, Annapurna and Langtang all require it. Some restricted areas substitute their own registration, and city travel needs nothing.
How much are trekking permits in total?
Budget USD 30–45 for a standard trek (TIMS + one park fee). Restricted areas start at USD 100 per week for Manaslu and USD 500 per ten days for Upper Mustang.
Can I trek without a guide in Nepal?
In parts of Annapurna and Langtang, yes. Everest now requires a licensed guide, and every restricted area requires an agency, a guide and at least two trekkers.
Do I need permits for Chitwan or Lumbini?
Lumbini has a monument entry ticket, not a trekking permit. Chitwan charges NPR 1,500 park entry per day, and safaris inside the park need a licensed guide.
Planning the whole trip?
Start with the itinerary and budget planner, then use the region guides to pick the trek that matches your days.
Other planning guides
Planning guideStart hereEverything a first-time visitor needs in one place: how long to come for, what it costs, which region fitPlanning guideWhen to goMonth by month: what the weather does, which treks are open, how busy it is, and what to expect at altituPlanning guideGetting to NepalWhich airport, which airline, which land border — and how to reach Lukla, Pokhara or Chitwan once you are