Nepal
The Himalaya's front door and the cheapest serious mountain destination on earth. Nepal's tea-house trekking means weeks in the high mountains with a daypack, a bed and a dal bhat at the end of each day.
Entry and visas
Almost all nationalities can buy a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders: 15, 30 or 90 days, payable in cash (USD preferred). Online pre-registration speeds up the queue. Visas can be extended at Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara up to 150 days per calendar year. Trekking permits (TIMS and national park fees) are separate.
| Passport | Category | Max days | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | Visa on arrival Tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders for 15, 30 or 90 days; extendable up to 150 days per calendar year at the Department of Immigration. Pay in cash (USD preferred); online pre-arrival form speeds the queue. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| GB | Visa on arrival Tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders for 15, 30 or 90 days; extendable up to 150 days per calendar year at the Department of Immigration. Pay in cash (USD preferred); online pre-arrival form speeds the queue. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| DE | Visa on arrival Tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders for 15, 30 or 90 days; extendable up to 150 days per calendar year at the Department of Immigration. Pay in cash (USD preferred); online pre-arrival form speeds the queue. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| CA | Visa on arrival Tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders for 15, 30 or 90 days; extendable up to 150 days per calendar year at the Department of Immigration. Pay in cash (USD preferred); online pre-arrival form speeds the queue. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
| AU | Visa on arrival Tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and land borders for 15, 30 or 90 days; extendable up to 150 days per calendar year at the Department of Immigration. Pay in cash (USD preferred); online pre-arrival form speeds the queue. | 90 | Oct 19, 2026 official source ↗ |
Remote work and long stays
No dedicated nomad visa (up to 150 days): Tourist visas (up to 150 days a year) are used in practice; no remote-work category exists. official source ↗
Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Entry rules are research summaries with their official source and the date we last checked them; they are not eligibility decisions. Check the official page before you travel. Open the Visa & Work Finder →
Safety
Low crime. The risks are environmental: altitude sickness, landslides and road accidents in the monsoon, and avalanches on high passes. Solo trekking rules have changed several times; check current requirements for guides in national parks.
Official advisory: Nepal - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, ). UK FCDO advice ↗
Health
Acute mountain sickness is the serious one; ascend slowly and carry insurance that explicitly covers helicopter evacuation at altitude. Kathmandu's air pollution is severe in winter. CIWEC and Nepal International clinics are the travellers' standard.
Money
Cash economy outside Kathmandu and Pokhara; carry rupees into the mountains, where ATMs are scarce and prices rise with altitude. ATMs cap withdrawals at around 35,000 rupees with fees.
Tipping: Expected for guides and porters; appreciated in restaurants · Tap water: Not drinkable; filtered water refills are widely available on trekking routes
Getting around
Tourist buses between Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan are slow but safe enough; domestic flights to Lukla and Jomsom are weather-dependent. Pathao and inDrive handle Kathmandu rides.
SIMs and connectivity
Ncell and Nepal Telecom SIMs are cheap at the airport (bring passport photos). Coverage on main trekking routes is surprisingly good; buy an Everest Link card for the Khumbu.
