Kathmandu Entry Requirements

Children of all ages need their own passport and visa to enter Nepal. There are no Nepal-specific requirements for parental consent letters when a child travels with both parents. However, if a child is traveling with only one parent, or with a non-parent guardian, carrying a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s) is strongly advised. This is not a Nepali immigration requirement per se. But airlines and immigration officers at your departure country may require it, and Nepali officers may question the arrangement. The letter should include the absent parent's contact information, a copy of their identification, and explicit authorization for the child to travel to Nepal with the accompanying adult.

Bringing a pet into Nepal through Kathmandu requires an import permit from the Nepal Department of Livestock Services, a veterinary health certificate issued within the preceding days by an accredited veterinarian in your home country, and proof of current rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days but not more than one year before arrival. The import permit should be arranged well in advance through the nearest Nepali embassy or directly with the Department of Livestock Services. Nepal does not impose a mandatory quarantine for pets arriving with complete documentation. But pets without proper paperwork may be quarantined or refused entry. The process is bureaucratic and timelines are unpredictable. Contact the Department of Livestock Services several months before your planned arrival.

Tourist visas for Nepal can be extended at the Department of Immigration office in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, up to a maximum total stay of 150 days within a single visa year (January through December). Extensions are granted in increments and require a fee that increases with duration. You must apply before your current visa expires. Overstaying incurs daily fines and can result in detention and deportation. For stays beyond 150 days, you would need a different visa category such as a study visa, volunteer visa, or business visa, each with its own application process and sponsorship requirements. The 150-day annual cap resets each January.

A tourist visa alone does not authorize trekking in restricted or conservation areas of Nepal. Most popular trekking routes require a TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System) card and, depending on the region, a national park or conservation area entry permit. Some restricted areas such as Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo require special permits that cost considerably more and may require a licensed guide. These permits are obtained in Kathmandu, typically through the Nepal Tourism Board office in Bhrikutimandap or through a licensed trekking agency. They are separate from your visa and cannot be obtained at the airport.

Nepal does not recognize dual citizenship. Nepali citizens who have acquired foreign nationality are considered to have relinquished Nepali citizenship. However, persons of Nepali origin holding a foreign passport can apply for a Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) card, which provides certain privileges including visa-free entry and the ability to purchase property. If you hold both a Nepali and a foreign passport, enter on one document consistently. Presenting two passports at Kathmandu immigration creates complications. Contact the nearest Nepali embassy for guidance specific to your situation.