Nepal to Fully Launch E-Visa System on August 17, 2026 – What Travelers Need to Know
- Editorial Team
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
KATHMANDU, August 7, 2026 — Nepal is set to fully roll out its electronic visa (e-Visa) system on August 17, 2026, marking a significant step toward digitizing the country's entry procedures, the Department of Immigration has confirmed.
According to Tikaram Dhakal, spokesperson for Nepal's Department of Immigration, technical and administrative preparations are complete following a successful testing phase. The new system is designed to allow travelers to obtain their visas remotely, eliminating the need to wait for a physical visa sticker to be printed and placed in their passport upon arrival in Nepal.
Published: August 7, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
How the New Nepal E-Visa System Works
Eligible travelers will be able to apply through the official Department of Immigration portal at nepaliport-new.immigration.gov.np.
Application Process
Step | Action |
1 | Visit the official ETA/eVisa portal and click "New Application" |
2 | Fill in personal details, passport information, travel dates, and address in Nepal |
3 | Upload a scanned copy of your passport (valid for at least 6 months) and a recent passport photo with a white background |
4 | Pay the visa fee online by credit or debit card |
5 | Receive the approved visa by email — applications are expected to be processed within 24 hours |
6 | Print the document and present it at check-in and again at immigration upon arrival in Nepal |
Important: The e-Visa is valid for use within six months of its issue date.
Visa Fees – Unchanged from Visa on Arrival
The fees for the e-Visa remain the same as the visa-on-arrival program. All are for multiple-entry tourist visas:
Duration | Fee (USD) |
15 days | $30 |
30 days | $50 |
90 days | $125 |
Payment can be made online via credit or debit card.
Free Visa Categories
The following categories are exempt from visa fees:
Category | Details |
Children Under 10 | All nationalities except U.S. citizens are eligible for a free visa for up to 30 days. Normal fees apply for 90-day visas |
SAARC Citizens | Free 30-day visa once per calendar year (January–December). Afghan nationals eligible only with Department of Immigration recommendation |
Chinese Nationals | Eligible for a free tourist visa for up to 150 days (approximately 5 months) per visa year |
NRN Card Holders | Holders of a Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) card issued by Nepal's Ministry of Foreign Affairs are exempt from visa fees |
Important Updates & Clarifications
Visas on Arrival Continue
The rollout of the e-Visa system does not mean Nepal is ending its longstanding visa-on-arrival program. The Department of Immigration has confirmed that visas on arrival will remain available.
Key Exceptions – Visa on Arrival Not Available
Nationals of the following 12 countries cannot obtain a visa on arrival and must apply for a visa in advance through a Nepalese embassy or consulate:
Afghanistan
Cameroon
Eswatini (Swaziland)
Ethiopia
Ghana
Iraq
Liberia
Nigeria
Palestine
Somalia
Syria
Zimbabwe
U.S. Citizens
The new e-Visa system will apply to U.S. passport holders. Children under 10 who are U.S. citizens are not eligible for a free visa.
Chinese Citizens
Chinese passport holders are excluded from the initial e-Visa rollout and will continue to receive free visas on arrival. Officials want to avoid heavy web traffic and system overload at launch.
SAARC Nationals
Citizens of SAARC member countries can receive a free 30-day visa once per calendar year.
Transition Period
The existing Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system will continue to operate in parallel for a transition period, as some travelers may not yet be aware of the new process.
Travel Advisory
The Department of Immigration has warned travelers to be cautious of fake websites such as https://www.nepal-evisa.com/ and has confirmed that all online visa applications are received only through its official website.
Travelers should use only the official portal:
E-Visa Application: nepaliport-new.immigration.gov.np
Department of Immigration: immigration.gov.np
Quick Reference Summary
Aspect | Details |
Launch Date | August 17, 2026 |
Official Portal | |
Processing Time | Within 24 hours |
Fees | $30 (15 days), $50 (30 days), $125 (90 days) |
Validity | 6 months from issue date |
Visa on Arrival | Continues |
Excluded from VOA | 12 countries (Afghanistan, Cameroon, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Zimbabwe) |
Free Visa | Children under 10 (except U.S.), SAARC citizens, Chinese nationals, NRN card holders |
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