Nepal is land
– locked country bordering with the Tibet
Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic
of China in the north and surrounded by India in
the east, south and west. |
Language
Nepal is the national language of Nepal; educated
people understand and speak English as well. There
are hundreds of local dialects spoken by people
from various ethnic groups.
Climate
Nepal has four major seasons, namely,(1) winter;
December – February,(2) Spring; March –
May,(3) Summer; June – August and (4) Autumn:
September – November. Nepal can be visited
all the year round.
People and Religion
Nepalese people are mainly divided into two distinct
groups, the India – Aryans and the Mongoloids.
Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world.
Hindu Temples and Buddhist Shrines are scattered
all over the kingdom. Nepal is the birthplace
of Lord Buddha, the Light of Asia. Hindus and
Buddhists live together in harmony. Muslims, Christians
and other nature worshippers, too, exist.
Currency & Foreign
exchange
Nepali Rupee notes come in Rs. 1, 2, 5,10,20,25,50,100,500,1000
denominations. Coins come in 5 paisa, 10p, 25p,
Rs. 1, 2 and 5 denominations.
Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through
banks or authorized money exchangers. The receipts
of such transaction are to be obtained and retained.
Visitors can exchange foreign currency at the
foreign exchange counter at the airport upon arrival.
Visitors other than the India nationals have to
make the payment in foreign currency (non –
Indian currency) in hotel, trekking agencies or
travel agencies and for air tickets. |
Entry Procedure & Visas
Entry
Procedures:
Indian nationals: India nationals do not require
visa. However, effective from October 1,2000, Indians
traveling to Nepal by air have to show upon arrival
at entry point either a passport, voter’s
Identity card issued by the Election Commission
of India, or and identity card with photograph issued
by the central or State Government of India. Temporary
identity cart with photograph issued by Nepal –
based Indian diplomatic missions for identification
of Indian nationals will also be considered in case
of exceptions. Children under 10 years need not
show any identification.
Visa Information
A visa is required to enter Nepal. One can get
a visa at the Royal Nepalese Embassy or Consulate
or at the airport upon arrival. Children under
10 years need not pay any visa fees. Two passport
sized photos are mandatory for visa on arrival.
1. General Information
The Department of Immigration is located at Bhrikutimandap,
Katmandu and has nice branch offices at different
locations in the kingdom.
Tel: +977 – 1- 4223590 / 4222453
/ 4223681
Fax: +977 – 1 – 4223127
Email: immigration@most.gov.np
Office Hours (Immigration Department)
Monday to Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
in summer 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in winter
Other Branch OFFICES Located at entry points will
be open 24 hours.
2. Entry / Exit Points
in Nepal
The following entry and exit points are prescribed
for the purpose of the foreigners entering into
and departing from the kingdom of Nepal. Deviation
from these points at the time of entry or exit
shall be treated as the violation of Immigration
rules.
- Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu
- Kakarvitta, , Jhapa (Eastern Nepal
)
- Birgunj, Parsa (Central Nepal)
- Kodari, Sindhupalchowk (Northern
Border
- Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi,Western
Nepal )
- Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke, Mid Western
Nepal)
- Mohana,Dhangadhi (Kailali, far western
Nepal)
- Gadda Chuki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur,
Far Western Nepal)
3.Toutist Visa
Foreigner who intends to visit Nepal must hold
valid passport or any travel document equivalent
to passport issued by the Govt. for visiting a
foreign country prior to apply for visa.
- Entry: No foreigner is entitled
to enter into and stay in the Kingdom of Nepal
without valid visa. Tourist entry visa can be
obtained for the following duration from Royal
Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or other mission
offices or immigration offices located on entry
points in Nepal.
- Chinese citizen are requested to apply in
Royal Nepalese Embassy or other Nepalese diplomatic
missions as there is no provision of arrival
visa for them.
1. Free visa for all tourist who visit
Nepal only for 3 days.
Free
visa for all tourists of SAARC countries
and people’s Republic of China |
|
Facilities |
Duration |
Free |
|
Single
entry |
60
days from the date of entry |
US$30
or equivalent convertible foreign
currency |
|
Multiple
entry |
|
Us$ 50or equivalent
convertible foreign or Nepalese
Currency |
C) Tourist Visa extension
A tourist visa can be extended upto 120 days from
the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu and
Pokhara Immigration in office on request. Then
after an additional 30 days can be extended from
Department of immigration on reasonable ground,
which ensures one’s departure from the country
within 150 days in one visa year.
- Tourist visa extension fee and additional
late fee are as follows:-
Visa extension for each additional 30 days –
US$30 in equivalent Nepalese currency.
The provision of single entry reentry and double
entry has been revoked.
- Late fee for regularizing tourist visa US$
2 in equivalent Nepalese currency per day for
the first 30 days. US$ 3 in equivalent Nepalese
currency per day for the next 31 to 90 days.
US$ in equivalent Nepalese currency per day
for mere than 90 days.
- Fee exemption of tourist visa. Children below
10 yrs.
Descendant’s upto the age of 16 years,
holding foreign passports, of Nepalese parents
or either of their parents is a Nepal based
foreign mission, until the period of his departure
to a foreign country.
Dos & Don’ts
A tourist may stay in Nepal upto 150 days in a
visa year (Jan-Dec). A tourist must extend his/her
visa before expire of the visa validity period.
A tourist who does not comply with these regulations
may be liable f fine and other prosecution as
provided in Immigration Act and Rules. A foreigner
having obtained tourist visa shall not be allowed
to work with or without receiving remuneration.
A foreigner shall not be allowed to carry out
any work other than that for which purpose she/
he has obtained the visa.
4. Transit visa
- A transit visa can be obtained from the Airport
Immigration officer for a period of 48 hours
on the presentation of confirmed air ticket.
b. Fee for transit visa is US$ 5.00
5. Other visa categories
(Except tourist and transit visa)
- Diplomatic visa
1. Who may apply? Diplomatic
passport holders and their family members recommended
from the concerned foreign diplomatic mission
and considered fit to be granted diplomatic
privileges by His Majesty’s Government.
2. Issuing Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For 30 days entry diplomatic mission and the
Immigration Office at the ent6ry points in Nepal.
- Official Visa
i. Who may apply? : The official
visa shall be granted to the persons considered
fit by His Majesty’s Government and their
family upon recommendation of the concerned
diplomatic mission:
- Administrative, Technical and non-diplomatic
officials serving in a residential or non-residential
diplomatic missions, a Consulate for Nepal and
incumbent Nepalese honorary Consul Generals,
Consuls and their family who visit Nepal from
a foreign country.
- Consultant experts who stay in Nepal under
an agreement with his Majesty’s government,
- Employees serving in the Nepal based offices
of the United Nations or its agencies and the
laissez passes granted by the United Nations.
- Employees serving in the international institutions
or regional organizations located in Nepal.
ii. Issuing Authority: Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. For 30 days entry diplomatic
mission and the Immigration Office at the entry
points in Nepal.
C .Study Visa
A foreigner who wants to study, teach or conduct
research works in any educational institute having
obtained the approval of His Majesty’ Govt.
i. who may apply? : Students,
Research scholars, Teachers and their family Visa
fee: Nepalese currency equivalent to 5U.S. $ per
month.
Foreigners involved in the social and economic
development works approved by HMG of Nepal under
the expenses to be borne by Governmental institutions
of the foreign friendly nations, visa fee: Nepalese
currency equivalent to 20 U.S. $ per month. Foreigners
having obtained recommendation from the ministry
of foreign affairs to work in the institutions
run by the foreign mission located in Nepal.
Visa fee: Nepalese currency
equivalent to 60 US$ per month for the first year
and 100 US$ per month from the next year.
Foreigners having obtained recommendation from
the concerned ministry to act as a helpers of
the foreigners having obtained diplomatic or official
visa.
Foreigners having obtained recommendation from
the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Civil Aviation
to work in any international airlines organization
located in the kingdom of Nepal.
Foreigners having obtained recommendation of
the concerned ministry to conduct feasibility
study of an agreement or enterprise for a period
not exceeding 6 months.
Group leader of the foreigners making application
accompanied by the recommendation of the Ministry
of tourism and Civil Aviation, for making the
tourists tour in group in Nepal.
Such foreigners as may be thought fit by His Majesty’s
Government.
4. Business visa
Business visa (with multiple entry) can be obtained
from the department of Immigration for the period
of one year or five years upon the recommendation
of the Ministry of Industry by paying the equivalent
of US$ 100 and US$ 250 respectively in Nepalese
currency for the foreign investors.
Customs Formalities
All baggage must be declared and cleared through
the customs on the port of entry. Personal effects
are permitted free entry. The duty on articles
brought by visitors varies according to the volume
and value of the goods; such as tobacco and liquor,
within the prescribed quantity free of duty. Carrying
narcotics, arms and ammunition are strictly prohibited.
Visitors can take along souvenirs to their respective
countries. The export of antiques requires special
certificate from the Department of Archaeology,
National Archive Building, Ram Shah path, Kathmandu
(Tel:4215358). Gold, silver, precious stones,
wild animals and their skins, horns, wild flora
and fauna etc. and drugs of any nature, whether
processed or in their natural state are prohibited
to be exported.
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