The Nepal visa process is one of the simpler ones you will encounter as a UK traveller. There is no embassy appointment, no weeks of waiting, and no thick stack of paperwork. But there are a few things worth knowing before you land that will save you time and confusion at the airport. This guide covers everything.
Do UK Passport Holders Need a Visa for Nepal
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa to enter Nepal. Unlike India, which has free entry for Nepali citizens under the 1950 treaty, the relationship does not work reciprocally for UK nationals in Nepal. You need a visa. The good news is that getting one is straightforward.
On Arrival or Online: What Is the Difference
Nepal offers two ways to get your tourist visa. Both result in the same stamp in your passport and the same entry rights. The only difference is when and where you fill in the form.
On arrival means you complete the immigration form at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu after your flight lands. You queue at the visa desk, pay the fee in cash, and receive your visa before going through immigration. During peak season in October and November this queue can be long, sometimes an hour or more. Arriving on an early morning flight when other international arrivals are also landing can mean waiting in a crowded, slow-moving queue when you are already tired from a long journey.
The online pre-registration option lets you fill in the visa application form before you travel at nepalimmigration.gov.np. You upload your passport photo, enter your details, and receive a reference number. At the airport you still pay the fee in cash, but you skip the form-filling queue and move faster through the process. The online form does not guarantee your visa or lock in the fee. It is simply a time-saver at the airport. Do not complete it more than 15 days before your travel date as the form expires.
The practical recommendation is to do the online pre-registration if you are arriving during peak season or on a busy flight. If you are arriving in the off-season on a quieter day it is less critical.
Visa Costs and Durations
Nepal tourist visas are available in three durations and the fee is charged in US dollars, though you can also pay in British pounds, euros, or Australian dollars at the airport. Cards are not accepted at the visa desk. Bring cash.
A 15-day tourist visa costs USD 30. A 30-day tourist visa costs USD 50. A 90-day tourist visa costs USD 125. All are multiple entry, which means you can leave and re-enter Nepal within the validity period if you are crossing into India and coming back, for example.
For most visitors, the 30-day visa is sufficient. It covers a standard Nepal trip comfortably, including a two-week trek plus time in Kathmandu and Pokhara. If you are planning an extended trip, the 90-day option covers up to three months and you can stay a maximum of 150 days in total in Nepal within a single calendar year.
What You Need at the Airport
Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from Nepal. Check this before you book your flights, not at the airport. If your passport expires within six months of your Nepal departure date, renew it first.
You need one passport-sized photograph. The airport has a booth but the queue can add time. Bring a printed photo from home measuring approximately 35mm by 45mm. If you do the online pre-registration you upload a digital photo there and may not need a physical print, but it is worth having one as a backup.
You need cash in the fee amount. USD is the most convenient. GBP is also accepted. The exchange rate offered at the visa desk is reasonable but not exceptional. Do not worry about getting it exactly right to the dollar as they will make change.
Extending Your Visa Inside Nepal
If you arrive on a 15 or 30-day visa and want to stay longer, extensions are available in Nepal without leaving the country. You apply at the Department of Immigration offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Extensions are granted in 15, 30, or 90-day blocks at the same per-day rates as the original visa. The process is straightforward and does not require a return flight booking, though having your onward travel plans roughly organised helps.
The Nepal Embassy in London
There is a Nepali Embassy in London at 12a Kensington Palace Gardens, W8 4QU. You can obtain your visa there in advance if you prefer having it sorted before travel rather than dealing with it at the airport. The fee is the same. Some people find this more reassuring, particularly if they are travelling for the first time or have a complicated itinerary. The embassy is open on weekdays for visa applications. Check their current hours before visiting as these change periodically.
Trekking Permits Are Separate
Your tourist visa gives you entry to Nepal and most of the country. It does not cover the permits required for trekking in national parks and conservation areas. Those are separate and bought inside Nepal, either in Kathmandu or at permit checkpoints near the trek start points.
The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit costs NPR 3,000. The Sagarmatha National Park Permit for the Everest region costs NPR 3,000. The TIMS trekking card, required for most major routes, costs NPR 2,000 for those trekking independently and NPR 1,000 for those trekking with a registered agency. If you are booking a trekking package through an agency, they will arrange these permits for you as part of the package. If you are trekking independently, allow half a day in Kathmandu to collect permits from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikutimandap.
One Practical Note on Arrival
Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport is small for the volume of international traffic it handles. The visa queue, immigration queue, and baggage reclaim can all add time after a long flight. Budget at least 90 minutes from landing to exiting the arrivals hall during peak season. Your taxi or hotel transfer will be waiting outside. There is no need to rush the process.
The queues move. Nepal is used to this. The visa process itself, once you reach the desk, takes about five minutes. It is the queue that varies.