A Nepal tourist visa is valid for 15 days, 30 days or 90 days from date of issue. The validity of visa dates are counted from the the date of arrival in Nepal.  You can find visa application forms in the arrivals hall at Kathmandu airport (or other major entry points), or you can obtain a Nepal tourist visa from the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate beforehand.

You can buy a mulitple entry visa valid for 15 days costing $20, or $35 for 30 days and lastly $75 for 90 days in the UK, or buy a visa on arrival at the airport, or valid entry point, costing $25, $40 or $100 respectively for either a 15, 30 or 90 day multiple entry visa. You will need 1 passport photo for your Nepal tourist visa. 

It's also possible to extend your visa and processing your visa extension usually takes no more than a couple of hours. A tourist visa can be extended at the Department of Immigration and Pokhara Immigration Office for a total of 120 days. An additional 30 day visa may be granted on reasonable grounds from the department. Over the course of a visa year (from 1 January to 31 December each year) a tourist cannot stay in Nepal more than cumulative 150 days.

This information can change at any point in time so always double check with the Embassy before you go.

If you're planning on venturing out into the mountains on a trek you'll need to apply for a trekking permit. By issuing these permits the Nepalese immigration office can monitor the number of people out on a trek at that time. Permits are arranged by our local agents and the costs are included in your land itinerary.

Travel tips by region
Annapurna region: you will need a passport size photo alongside your application forms which you will need to fill out in Kathmandu.

Everest region: You can apply for a permit at the beginning of your trek. You won't need a passport photo for this. 

Cash Machines
The mainstream banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara all have a cash machine where you fill your wallet 24 hours a day using your normal bankcard or Mastercard / Visa. Smaller banks such as the Himalaya Bank also have cash machines, though we would recommend only using theses machines during bank opening hours so as not to run the risk of losing your card if the system crashes.

Credit Cards
Major credit cards are generally accepted in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Standard Chartered Bank and several smaller banks such as Nabil Bank and the Himalaya Bank will give an advance in rupees on your Mastercard or Visa. It's wise to carry some US dollars and rupees in small denomination notes in the smaller towns where you can't use your credit card.

Travellers Cheques
You can purchase Travellers Cheques at 1% or 2% commission. Both American and European Travellers Cheques are widely accepted at most major banks in the smaller towns. The good thing about Travellers Cheques is that in the event of loss you will receive new cheques within 24 hours.

Tips
While travelling Nepal, tipping is customary and much appreciated. In the cheaper hotels 5% or some loose change is sufficient, in the more expensive places 10% is customary.