Is it safe to travel to Nepal right now?

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK Government’s understanding of Nepal’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Nepal set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Nepal Embassy in the UK.

Passport validity requirements

To avoid problems at immigration, make sure your passport has an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after your date of entry into Nepal.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Checks at border control

At border control, you may need to show:

• a travel insurance document which has cover for healthcare costs including repatriation and other emergencies while you are in Nepal
• confirmation of where you will spend your first night, for example, a hotel booking

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days.

Applying for a visa

You can apply online for a visa on arrival up to 15 days in advance of your arrival. Using your submission receipt, you then collect and pay for your visa at the airport. You can also apply using the forms or terminals available at the airport, then queue up to get the visa. You can pay by card, but you should have cash as a back-up, with US dollars being the preferred currency.

Alternatively you can apply for a tourist visa in advance and collect it from the Nepal Embassy in the UK or in another country. Applying in advance can reduce the time it takes to pass through immigration.

Visas are available for several lengths of stay at various costs. Look on the immigration department website for the options.

You can extend your visa online to up to a total of 150 days in one year.

Overstaying your visa in Nepal is a serious crime and can lead to significant fines or imprisonment.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Nepal, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccine, if you’re coming from certain countries with a transmission risk

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Nepal guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Nepal. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Bringing precious metals into Nepal is strictly regulated. You can carry gold ornaments up to 50 grams and silver ornaments up to 100 grams. If you bring in undeclared gold or silver, you may:

• get a fine equivalent to the value of the goods
• go to prison for between one month and 5 years depending upon the value of the goods
• have the goods confiscated
• be detained during the proceedings

Taking money into and out of Nepal

You must declare on a customs form on arrival any amount above the value of 5,000 US dollars in banknotes or 10,000 dollars in notes and travellers cheques combined. Customs will give a certified declaration, which you must keep.

You will need to convert all your Nepali currency before you leave Nepal, and the bank or exchange counter at the airport may ask you for the declaration.

ATMs are not reliable outside main tourist sites.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Nepal.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required
Business visa: required (only issued in Nepal after arrival on a tourist visa)
Student visa: required (only issued in Nepal after arrival on a tourist visa)

You can purchase a tourist visa, valid for up to 90 days, at:

• a Nepalese embassy or consulate
• Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, on arrival
• some border crossings, upon arrival

You will need to supply a recent passport-size photo. Ensure that you have the necessary amount of funds (Canadian and U.S. dollars are accepted) with you if you wish to obtain a visa upon arrival.

Visa extensions can only be processed at certain Department of Immigration offices.

You must have a valid exit visa in your passport to depart Nepal.

Tourist Visa – Department of Immigration, Government of Nepal

Visa overstays

Overstaying your visa is an offence, and immigration authorities can detain you until you pay a fine. You could also receive a 7-year ban on re-entry.

Mandatory registration

All foreign nationals travelling to Nepal after September 16, 2025, must register upon arrival via the NepaliPort website or mobile app. NepaliPort is a digital registration and tracking system. You will need to enter your personal information and details about your visa and travel plans.

All public and private service providers in Nepal are required to enroll in the program. You may need to scan QR codes or use authentication applications on your mobile at hotels, airlines and other businesses.

NepaliPort services – Nepal Department of Immigration

Travel to Tibet

If you intend to travel to Tibet from Nepal, contact the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu for current entry regulations.

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).