Nepal Tourist Visa & TIMS Card Guide 2025: Complete Requirements, Fees & Application
Planning a trip to Nepal in 2025? The two documents every foreign traveler (except Indian nationals) must sort out are a tourist visa and — if you’re trekking in most Himalayan regions — a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card plus a licensed guide. This guide consolidates the official requirements, current fees, and step-by-step procedures straight from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the Department of Immigration (DOI), so you can arrive prepared and avoid surprises at the border.
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Quick-Answer Summary
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- Tourist visa: Required for all non-Indian foreigners. Available on arrival at major airports and land borders, or pre-arranged at Nepali diplomatic missions abroad.
- Visa fees (USD): 15-day multiple entry $30 | 30-day multiple entry $50 | 90-day multiple entry $125.
- TIMS card + guide: Mandatory on most major trekking routes (Everest, Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Mustang, Dolpo, and more) effective March 31, 2023.
- TIMS cost: NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals | NPR 2,000 for other foreigners (payable online via registered trekking agency).
- Indian nationals: Visa-free entry with valid passport, voter ID, PAN card, or other approved documents (Aadhaar NOT accepted).
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1. Nepal Tourist Visa — Official Requirements & Fees
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Who Needs a Visa?
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Per the Nepal Tourism Board and Department of Immigration: all foreign nationals except Indian citizens must hold a tourist visa to enter Nepal. Indian nationals enter visa-free with approved identity documents (passport, voter ID, PAN card, driving license, ration card with photo for those 65+, or school ID for under-18s). Aadhaar cards are explicitly NOT accepted.
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On-Arrival Visa (Most Common)
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You can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at:
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- Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu)
- Pokhara International Airport
- Gautam Buddha International Airport (Lumbini)
- Designated land entry points along the Nepal–India and Nepal–China borders
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Essentials to bring:
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- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- Passport-size photo with light background
- Visa fee in USD cash or equivalent convertible currency (international credit cards also accepted at airports)
- Completed visa application form (can be pre-filled online at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np)
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Expect queues during peak seasons (Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr). For faster entry, consider securing a visa from a Nepali embassy/consulate before travel.
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Visa Fee Structure (2025)
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| Entry Type | Duration | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Entry | 15 Days | $30 |
| Multiple Entry | 30 Days | $50 |
| Multiple Entry | 90 Days | $125 |
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Source: NTB Tourist Visa page (accessed 2025). Fees payable in USD or equivalent convertible foreign currency.
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Visa Extension
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- Minimum extension: 15 days — $45
- Additional days: $3 per day
- Late fine (if delayed beyond 150 days): additional $5 per day
- Processed at Department of Immigration, Kathmandu or Pokhara
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Gratis (Free) Visa Eligibility
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- Children under 10 years (except US citizens)
- SAARC nationals (except Afghanistan) — first visit per visa year, up to 30 days
- Afghan citizens — only on DOI recommendation
- Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) card holders
- Chinese nationals
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Countries Requiring Pre-Arrival Visa (No On-Arrival)
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Nationals of: Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, and refugees with travel documents must obtain a visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission before travel. Full list: DOI Prohibition Notice.
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2. TIMS Card & Licensed Guide — Mandatory for Most Treks
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The Rule (Effective March 31, 2023)
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Under the Revised TIMS Provision published by NTB, trekkers in designated protected areas must:
\n1. Be accompanied by a government-licensed trekking guide, and
\n2. Carry a TIMS card issued by a registered trekking agency.
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Source: NTB TIMS Card page — \”As per Revised TIMS Provision effective from March 31, 2023…\”
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Trekking Regions & Routes Requiring TIMS + Guide
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| Region | Key Treks Requiring TIMS + Guide |
|---|---|
| Everest Region | EBC, Gokyo, Cho La, Renjo La, Three Passes, Everest View, Mera Peak, Amphu Laptsha |
| Annapurna Region | Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu, Mesokanto/Tilicho, Poon Hill–ABC, Khopra, Mardi Himal, Sikleh Tara |
| Langtang Region | Langtang, Gosainkunda, Tamang Heritage, Ganja La, Tilman Pass |
| Manaslu Region | Manaslu Circuit, Tsum Valley, Manaslu–Tsum |
| Kanchenjunga Region | Kanchenjunga Base Camp (Sele La, Nango Pass), Lumba Sumba Pass |
| Makalu Barun | Makalu Base Camp, Sherpeni Col Pass |
| Mustang Region | Upper Mustang, Sarebung Pass |
| Dolpo Region | Upper Dolpo, Lower Dolpo, Kagmara Pass, Upper Dolpo–Jomsom |
| Rolwaling | Rolwaling Trek, Tashi Laptsha Pass |
| Helambu | Helambu Trek, Gosainkunda |
| Ganesh Himal–Ruby Valley | Ganesh Himal–Ruby Valley Trek |
| Dhaulagiri | Round Dhaulagiri |
| Humla | Limi Valley |
| Panchpokhari Bhairabkunda | Panchpokhari Trek |
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Full route list sourced from NTB TIMS page table.
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TIMS Card Fees
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- SAARC nationals: NPR 1,000
- Other foreign nationals: NPR 2,000
- Payment: Online via ConnectIPS, NepalPay, or other approved payment services through the trekking agency’s portal.
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How to Get a TIMS Card
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- Contact a government-registered trekking agency (they handle the paperwork).
- Agency submits registration form with trekker details, guide assignment, and route.
- Payment is made online through the agency’s system.
- E-card with QR code is generated for each trekker.
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Important: You cannot buy a TIMS card directly as an individual — it must be arranged through a registered agency that also provides the mandatory licensed guide.
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3. Indian Nationals — Special Entry Rules
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Indian citizens do not need a visa but must carry one of the following:
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- Valid national passport
- Voter ID card (Election Commission of India)
- PAN card
- Driving license
- Ration card with photo and age confirmation (for 65+)
- School ID card issued by principal (for under 18)
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NOT accepted: Aadhaar (UID) card, Certificate of Registration from Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
\nEmergency/Identity certificates from the Indian Embassy are valid for single-journey return to India only.
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4. Practical Tips & Common Pitfalls
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- Pre-fill the online visa form at nepaliport.immigration.gov.np — saves 15–30 minutes at the airport.
- Carry USD cash in small denominations ($5, $10, $20) for visa fees; card machines sometimes fail.
- Book your trek through a registered agency early — they need time to process TIMS and assign a guide.
- Check route-specific permit requirements — some areas (Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Nar Phu, etc.) require additional restricted-area permits beyond TIMS.
- Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and helicopter evacuation is strongly recommended (and often required by agencies).
- Keep digital + physical copies of visa, TIMS, permits, and passport.
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5. Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I get a visa on arrival at all land borders?
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Yes, at designated entry points on both the Nepal–India and Nepal–China borders. The NTB lists these as eligible for on-arrival tourist visas.
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Is the TIMS card the same as a trekking permit?
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No. TIMS is a trekker registration card. Restricted-area permits (e.g., for Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Kanchenjunga, Nar Phu) are separate, cost more, and require a registered agency + guide. You often need BOTH.
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What if I trek a route NOT on the mandatory list?
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TIMS + guide are still recommended for safety, but not legally mandated. Check with your agency and local authorities.
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Can I extend my tourist visa while on a trek?
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Yes, at Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Do it before your current visa expires to avoid the $5/day late fine.
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Are credit cards accepted for visa fees at airports?
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International credit cards are accepted at Tribhuvan, Pokhara, and Gautam Buddha airports per NTB, but carrying USD cash is safer.
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Key Takeaways
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- Tourist visa: $30/$50/$125 for 15/30/90 days multiple entry — on arrival at airports & land borders.
- TIMS + licensed guide: Mandatory on most major Himalayan trekking routes since March 31, 2023.
- TIMS cost: NPR 1,000 (SAARC) / NPR 2,000 (others) — arranged only via registered trekking agency.
- Indian nationals: Visa-free with approved ID docs (passport, voter ID, PAN, DL — NOT Aadhaar).
- Pre-fill online visa form, carry USD cash, book trek early through registered agency.
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Sources & References
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- Nepal Tourism Board — Tourist Visa Information (official fees, on-arrival process, gratis visa, prohibited countries).
- Nepal Tourism Board — TIMS Card & Guide Mandate (Revised Provision effective March 31, 2023, full route table, agency procedure, fees).
- Department of Immigration — Prohibition to Visa on Arrival (country list requiring pre-arrival visa).
- Department of Immigration — Online Visa Application Portal.
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Last updated: August 2025. Visa fees and regulations can change — always verify with Department of Immigration or Nepal Tourism Board before travel.
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