Nepal visa options for United Kingdom passport holders
Tourist / short stay
Visa on arrival
Get the visa at the border on entry.
Visa types & longer-stay routes for Nepal
Rules are written for general foreign nationals (non-Indian): Indian citizens need no visa, Chinese nationals and SAARC citizens (except Afghanistan, first visit, up to 30 days) get gratis (fee-waived) visas, and a defined list of nationalities (currently Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine, plus refugees with travel documents) cannot use visa-on-arrival and must obtain a visa from a Nepali mission in advance.
- Most nomadsTourist
Tourist Visa (on arrival / e-visa)
15, 30 or 90 days multiple-entry; extendable up to a maximum of 150 days per visa year (Jan-Dec).
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required by immigration, but strongly recommended - trekking/altitude medical cover and helicopter evacuation insurance is essential for the Himalayas.
- Good for
- Travellers visiting for tourism, trekking, leisure or short visits; most nationalities get it on arrival at Kathmandu (TIA), Pokhara and Lumbini airports and major land borders, or via the online e-visa.
- Requirement
- Passport valid 6+ months, one passport photo and visa fee (US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days); extensions cost about US$45 for 15 days plus ~US$3/day thereafter. Indian citizens need no visa; SAARC (first visit, 30 days), Chinese nationals and under-10s are gratis; a defined list of nationalities must obtain the visa from a Nepali mission in advance.
- Business
Business Visa
Issued for 1 month up to 5 years; commonly first granted for 1 year and renewed annually.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required by immigration; private health insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Approved foreign investors in Nepali industry or export trade and their authorised representatives and family members, where there is approved foreign investment.
- Requirement
- Recommendation/registration via the Department of Industry (or relevant line agency) evidencing the approved investment; fees vary by investment size (for the lower-investment tier approx US$30/month, US$300/year, or US$1,000 for 5 years multiple-entry; verify current rates).
- Work
Work Visa (Non-Tourist / Employment)
Granted for up to 1 year at a time, renewable; duration tied to the work agreement.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as a visa condition; employer-provided or private health cover recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals taking up employment with a Nepal-based employer or organisation.
- Requirement
- Issued by the Department of Immigration (Non-Tourist section) only on a recommendation from the concerned line ministry, plus a Labour Permit from the Department of Labour and a work agreement (with limited exceptions).
- Study
Study Visa (Student)
Issued for the course period, typically up to 1 year at a time and renewable.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as a visa condition; private student health insurance recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign students and researchers enrolled at a recognised Nepali institution, and foreign teachers working in Nepal.
- Requirement
- Admission to a recognised institution plus a recommendation from the Ministry of Education (or relevant government agency); applicants generally show proof of funds (about US$3,000 per year). Fees vary - verify with the institution/Immigration Department.
- Residence
Residential Visa (Investor / Retiree)
Long-stay, renewable annually; tied to maintaining the qualifying investment or income.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot stated as a legal requirement; comprehensive private health insurance strongly recommended for long-term residents.
- Good for
- Foreigners wanting long-term residence without local employment - large-scale investors and self-funded retirees / independent-income individuals (also persons of international repute).
- Requirement
- Either invest at least US$100,000 (or equivalent convertible currency) at once in a Nepali industrial enterprise, or (for retirees/non-business residents) show certified income of about US$20,000 per year to be spent in Nepal; plus ministry recommendation. Verify current thresholds.
- Residence
Marriage Visa (Non-Tourist - Spouse of Nepali Citizen)
Maximum 6 months for first-time applicants, then extendable up to 1 year at a time.
- Insurance
- RecommendedNot required by immigration; private health cover recommended.
- Good for
- Foreign nationals legally married to a Nepali citizen who wish to reside in Nepal (issued under the Non-Tourist visa category).
- Requirement
- Marriage Registration Certificate from a District Administration Office or District Court, the Nepali spouse's citizenship and presence at the application, plus supporting documents; fee approx US$15 per month (verify).
- Transit
Transit Visa
Maximum 24 hours (one night); cannot be extended.
- Insurance
- OptionalNot required.
- Good for
- Travellers transiting through Nepal (issued at Tribhuvan International Airport) with a confirmed onward international flight.
- Requirement
- Proof of onward travel (confirmed air ticket) and the transit visa fee of US$5.
Visa rules, fees and thresholds change frequently and vary by nationality; figures here are indicative and several fees/thresholds should be reconfirmed with the Nepal Department of Immigration (immigration.gov.np) or a Nepali diplomatic mission before travel. Insurance statements describe immigration requirements only and are not legal advice. Last checked: 2026-06
Last verified June 2026
Visa-free isn’t insurance-free
Whatever route you take into Nepal, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.
United Kingdom → Nepal: frequently asked
- Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Nepal?
- Visa on arrival. Get the visa at the border on entry. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
- Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Nepal?
- Yes, via a long-stay visa. Nepal has 7 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
- Do I need travel insurance for Nepal?
- Entry to Nepal never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended.
Last updated
Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.