Are children exempt from the visa fee?

Children under 10 receive a gratis (fee-waived) visa under Nepal's standard immigration policy, though they still need their own passport and must complete the arrival paperwork alongside an accompanying adult. The one exception is US citizens: reciprocity agreements between Nepal and the United States mean US children under 10 pay the standard fee for their chosen duration, same as an adult.

What documents do I need at the immigration counter?

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your entry date, a passport-size photo (or a digital photo taken at the kiosk), and the visa fee in USD cash or card. Guided trekkers usually have this checked by their operator's airport representative before the queue.

What is FNMIS registration?

FNMIS (Foreign Nationals Management Information System) is a Department of Immigration platform that launched in phases through 2026: star-rated Kathmandu Valley hotels went live on 1 January, then hotels nationwide plus airlines, trekking agencies, and money changers followed from 1 March. Registration generates a unique QR code tied to your identity and visa details, which gets scanned at hotel check-ins and for domestic flights during the trip. In practice, a star-rated hotel or a licensed trekking agency reports your stay into the system on your behalf, so most trekkers don't need to do anything extra themselves.

Can I extend my visa if my trek overruns?

Yes. Extensions are processed at the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu and cost USD 45 for 15 days plus USD 3 for each additional day beyond that, paid in cash. This is routine for trekkers whose return flight has been delayed by weather, not a rare or difficult procedure.

Are children exempt from the visa fee?

Children under 10 receive a gratis (fee-waived) visa under Nepal's standard immigration policy, though they still need their own passport and must complete the arrival paperwork alongside an accompanying adult. The one exception is US citizens: reciprocity agreements between Nepal and the United States mean US children under 10 pay the standard fee for their chosen duration, same as an adult.

What documents do I need at the immigration counter?

A passport valid for at least six months beyond your entry date, a passport-size photo (or a digital photo taken at the kiosk), and the visa fee in USD cash or card. Guided trekkers usually have this checked by their operator's airport representative before the queue.

What is FNMIS registration?

FNMIS (Foreign Nationals Management Information System) is a Department of Immigration platform that launched in phases through 2026: star-rated Kathmandu Valley hotels went live on 1 January, then hotels nationwide plus airlines, trekking agencies, and money changers followed from 1 March. Registration generates a unique QR code tied to your identity and visa details, which gets scanned at hotel check-ins and for domestic flights during the trip. In practice, a star-rated hotel or a licensed trekking agency reports your stay into the system on your behalf, so most trekkers don't need to do anything extra themselves.

Can I extend my visa if my trek overruns?

Yes. Extensions are processed at the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu and cost USD 45 for 15 days plus USD 3 for each additional day beyond that, paid in cash. This is routine for trekkers whose return flight has been delayed by weather, not a rare or difficult procedure.

Trip Planning

Nepal Visa for the Everest Base Camp Trek (2026)

Q: Can I pre-register online before arrival?

Yes. Nepal's Department of Immigration offers online pre-registration that lets you complete the arrival form and upload a passport photo before departure, cutting the airport process down to payment and the visa stamp alone.

A Nepal tourist visa is the entry authorization most nationalities need to enter Nepal, available on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in three duration tiers, and since 1 January 2026 every visitor also registers into a new government tourist-tracking system.

15-Day Visa

USD 30

30-Day Visa

USD 50

90-Day Visa

USD 125

FNMIS

Live since Jan 2026

Most nationalities travelling to the Everest Base Camp Trek can obtain a Nepal tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, priced by duration rather than a single flat fee. Since 1 January 2026, arrival also means registering into FNMIS, a new government system covered in full further down this page.

A small number of nationalities are exempt or restricted from visa-on-arrival entirely. Check the current list with your embassy or Nepal’s Department of Immigration before booking flights, since restricted-nationality trekkers need to apply through a Nepali diplomatic mission in advance instead.

Visa Fees by Duration

Duration	Fee	Entries
15 days	USD 30	Single entry
30 days	USD 50	Single entry
90 days	USD 125	Single entry

These are the standard published rates. Government fees can change, so verify the current rate on the Department of Immigration’s notice board or website before travel. Children under 10 are exempt from the fee itself but still need a passport and completed arrival paperwork.

For how the visa fits into the rest of the trip, from route to permits to cost, see the complete Everest Base Camp Trek guide.

A standard 12 to 14 day EBC itinerary fits comfortably inside the 15-day visa, but most trekkers choose the 30-day option anyway, since it covers Kathmandu sightseeing days, a Lukla flight delay buffer, and any post-trek travel without needing an extension.

The Arrival Hall, Step by Step

Complete the arrival form

Use a self-service kiosk in the arrivals hall to scan your passport, enter trip details, and have your photo taken digitally. The kiosk prints a receipt with a barcode.

Pay the visa fee

Take your receipt to the visa fee payment counter and pay in USD. Small denomination bills reduce friction if change is needed.

Collect the visa sticker

Present your paid receipt at the visa issuing counter, where an officer affixes the visa sticker and stamps your passport.

Online Pre-Registration

Nepal’s Department of Immigration also offers an online pre-registration option that lets you complete the arrival form and upload a passport photo before departure, from home, cutting the airport process down to payment and the visa stamp alone. It doesn’t replace paying the fee in person, but it meaningfully shortens the queue during peak arrival hours, especially useful given how many EBC trekkers land within the same narrow spring and autumn arrival windows.

FNMIS Registration

Live since January 2026: FNMIS registration

Nepal’s Department of Immigration rolled out FNMIS (Foreign Nationals Management Information System) in two phases: star-rated Kathmandu Valley hotels from 1 January 2026, then hotels nationwide alongside airlines, trekking agencies, and money changers from 1 March 2026. Registration generates a unique QR code tied to your identity and visa details, which is then scanned at hotel check-ins and for domestic flights for the rest of your trip, functioning as a kind of digital travel ID. A Department of Immigration review in May 2026 reported roughly 125,000 foreign visitor records collected through the system in its first five months, evidence the rollout is now in genuine daily use rather than sitting unenforced. It’s still largely invisible to the trekker in practice, since your hotel or licensed trekking agency reports your stay into the system on your behalf rather than you registering yourself at a kiosk.

Extending Your Visa if Your Trek Overruns

Given the well-documented Lukla flight cancellation rate, visa extensions are worth knowing about in advance. Extensions are processed at the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu and are routine for trekkers whose return flight has been delayed by weather, not a rare or difficult procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visa Fees & Duration

USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days, payable in cash or card at Tribhuvan International Airport. These are the standard published rates; always verify the current fee before travel, since government rates change periodically.

Arrival Process

FNMIS & Extensions

Plan My Trek