Solo Travel Nepal Visa Tips: Entry, Extension, and Border Crossings

Nepal's visa process is among the more straightforward in South Asia — on-arrival visas are available to citizens of most countries, the process is reasonably efficient at Kathmandu airport, and extensions are easy to obtain in-country. Solo travelers should understand a few specific nuances to avoid delays and complications.

On-Arrival Visa at Tribhuvan International Airport

The visa on arrival is available to citizens of all countries except India (which has a separate bilateral agreement), and certain South Asian countries with slightly different procedures. The process:

1. Fill in the tourist visa form on the Nepal Department of Immigration website (immigration.gov.np) before arriving — you receive a reference number that speeds up the airport process
2. At the on-arrival counters, submit your form, passport, and passport photos (2 photos; some counters have photo machines if you arrive without them)
3. Pay in USD cash (USD 25 for 15 days, USD 40 for 30 days, USD 100 for 90 days). Some counters accept euros and British pounds; credit card acceptance varies.
4. The visa is stamped in your passport and you proceed to immigration

Extending Your Visa

The Department of Immigration (DoI) office in Kathmandu (Maitighar, near Singha Durbar) and in Pokhara (Airport Road) process extensions during weekday working hours (10 AM to 4 PM, closed on weekends and public holidays). Extension costs are NPR 2,000 per week up to 30 days, then NPR 3,000 per week thereafter. Nepal allows a maximum cumulative stay of 150 days per calendar year.

Bring your passport, one passport photo, and the extension fee in cash. The process typically takes one working day — drop off in the morning and collect in the afternoon.

Land Border Crossings

Nepal has several land border crossing points with India that are open to international tourists:

• Birgunj/Raxaul (Bihar) — the most heavily used commercial crossing, also popular for the Lumbini circuit
• Bhairahawa/Sunauli (Uttar Pradesh) — commonly used by travelers coming from Varanasi
• Kakarbhitta/Panitanki (West Bengal) — popular entry point for travelers coming from Darjeeling or eastern India
• Mahendranagar/Banbasa (Uttarakhand) — used for western Nepal entry

At all land borders, you obtain a Nepal visa on arrival at the Nepali immigration post — the same USD fees apply. Indian nationals do not require a visa for Nepal.

The Tibet border crossing at Rasuwagadhi/Kerung (replacing the old Kodari crossing destroyed in the 2015 earthquake) is open to tourists with a China tourist visa and Nepal-Tibet permit, though group restrictions make independent solo crossings complicated. Tibet travel requires booking through a licensed Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) agency.

Restricted Area Permits

Solo travelers planning to visit Upper Mustang, Manaslu Circuit, Dolpo, Humla, or other restricted regions must obtain additional restricted area permits. These cannot be purchased on arrival — they require:

• A licensed Nepali trekking agency
• A mandatory licensed guide (solo independent travel in restricted areas is not permitted)
• Minimum 2 trekker requirement for some areas (Mustang is an exception since 2023 regulations)

Apply through a licensed agency in Kathmandu. Allow 2 to 3 working days for processing.

Common Visa Issues to Avoid

• Overstaying your visa incurs fines of NPR 5,000 per day — extend before expiry
• Keep your original entry stamp and visa paperwork intact — immigration officers sometimes request them at internal flight checkpoints
• Sajilo's ride-hailing service operates across Nepal's urban areas and is an easy way to reach the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu if you are not familiar with the city — the app shows fares upfront and drivers know the Maitighar complex well