Nepal Visa Types: Requirements & Complete Guide 2026

Nepal visa types and requirements

Nepal does not have one visa for every purpose. The correct route depends on nationality, purpose, duration, sponsor, work or investment activity, family relationship and the authority whose recommendation is required.

Quick answer

Tourist visas cover visits and tourism, not employment. Business visas are designed for eligible investors and businesspersons. Foreign nationals accepting employment generally require the working category of a non-tourist visa plus labour and government recommendations. Separate routes exist for study, press, relationship or marriage, NRN status, residence, transit, official and diplomatic purposes.

Before choosing a visa

Confirm five facts first: nationality and travel document, present location and immigration status, real purpose in Nepal, intended length of stay, and the Nepal organisation or person supporting the application. A convenient label cannot replace the category that matches the actual activity.

Tourist visa

The tourist visa is the standard route for tourism and short visits. Eligible travellers may obtain it through a Nepalese mission, the official electronic process or at an authorised port of entry, depending on nationality and current rules.

The Department of Immigration currently publishes 15, 30 and 90-day tourist options and permits extensions subject to a total tourist stay of 150 days in a visa year. A visa year is the calendar year. Passport-validity, nationality and port-of-entry restrictions should be checked before travel.

A tourist visa should not be treated as permission to work. A person completing paperwork for another status must still avoid unauthorised activity until the correct permission is issued.

Business visa

A business visa is available to qualifying foreign investors and businesspersons investing or undertaking business in Nepal. It normally depends on a recommendation from the Department of Industry or another competent line agency and evidence that the investment, industry and company records are genuine and current.

Company registration alone does not automatically create visa eligibility. The investment approval, industry registration, shareholding, tax position and applicant role should tell one consistent story.

Working or non-tourist visa

Only an appropriately authorised foreign national may accept employment and work in Nepal. The working route is a non-tourist category and ordinarily requires a recommendation from the relevant government agency, a labour permit, work agreement or approval where applicable, appointment or employment contract, and employer compliance documents.

Do not confuse an employment contract, labour permit, ministry recommendation and immigration visa. They are connected approvals but not interchangeable.

Study visa

A study visa is for an eligible foreign student, researcher or teacher connected to a recognised educational institution. Admission, recommendation, funding and academic documents must match the proposed programme and duration. Paid work is a separate issue and should not be assumed from student status.

Relationship and marriage routes

Eligible foreign relatives or spouses of Nepali citizens may qualify under non-tourist relationship or marriage arrangements. Reliable civil-status evidence, the Nepali relative's citizenship record, personal appearance or recommendation requirements, and consistent names and dates are important.

Relationship status does not by itself authorise employment. Work permission should be assessed separately.

NRN visa

Eligible non-resident Nepalis may apply using the current NRN documentation and immigration procedure. An NRN card or citizenship-related document should not be assumed to replace every visa formality; the Department's current requirements should be followed.

Residential visa

Residential visas are limited statutory routes, including categories based on prescribed investment, exceptional contribution or qualifying financial and age circumstances. Residence should not be promised merely because a foreign national owns property, stays for a long period or has a Nepal company.

Transit, official and diplomatic visas

A transit visa covers qualifying transit through Nepal for a short prescribed period. Official and diplomatic visas depend on the nature of the visit, passport and appropriate government or diplomatic recommendation. Reciprocity and exemptions can affect certain passport holders.

Application workflow

1. Identify the exact official visa category and competent authority. 2. Check passport validity, current visa, stay history and nationality rules. 3. Obtain the required institutional or government recommendation. 4. Reconcile names, dates, employer, company, investment and purpose across all records. 5. Submit through the current official online portal and keep the submission ID. 6. Present originals, biometrics or attend in person when required. 7. Pay only the fee in the current official schedule and retain receipts. 8. Check the issued visa category, dates, entries and conditions immediately.

Common mistakes

- using a tourist visa for work or commercial activity; - selecting a category from an informal website instead of the official terminology; - filing inconsistent company, tax, labour and immigration documents; - assuming online submission means approval; - overlooking passport expiry or the annual tourist-stay ceiling; and - booking non-refundable travel before eligibility is confirmed.

Review note

This guide was reviewed on 21 July 2026 using Department of Immigration and Nepal Law Commission material. Fees, eligible nationalities, portals and document lists change. Verify the live official page before applying.