INFORMATION OF NEPAL

Nepal (नेपाल) Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India.

Nepal is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of bio-diversity due to its unique geographical position and altitudinal variation. The elevation of the country ranges from 60m. above sea level to the highest point on earth. Mt. Everest at 8,848m, all the within a distance of 150km resulting into climatic conditions from sub-tropical to Actic.

Nepal occupying only 0.1% of the total Landmass of the earth is home to:

• 2% of all the flowering plants in the world
• 8% of the world's population of birds(more than 848 species)
• 4% of mammals on earth
• 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies (more than 500 species)
• 600 indigenous plants families
• 319 species of exotic orchids

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
Location, contact No. and Working Hours
Location : The Department of Immigration is located at Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu.
Tel : 977 - 01 - 4433934 / 4429660 / 4438862 / 4438868
Fax : 977 - 01 - 4433935
Email : mail@immi.gov.np
Web : http://www.immi.gov.np

Office Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. - 17 p.m. in summer
10 a.m. - 16 p.m. in winter (Nov. to Jan.)

Friday: 10 a.m. -15 p.m.

Visa Application Hours
Sunday to Thursday: 10 a.m. - 15 p.m.

Friday: 10 a.m. - 13 p.m.

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.

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.