Kathmandu’s old squares and stupas, Pokhara’s lake and the Himalaya on the horizon make Nepal a very different mountain holiday from Hunza or Skardu. There is good news on the Nepal visa for Pakistani passport holders. You can get a visa on arrival, and your first visit each calendar year can be free for up to 30 days.
This guide explains how that free visa works, what to do before you fly and what changes on a second trip. Voyfaro does not issue visas or influence decisions. Rules change, so check the official pages in the Sources list before you travel.
Nepal visa for Pakistani passport holders: the quick answer
- Visa on arrival: yes. The Embassy of Nepal in Islamabad says Pakistani passport holders can get a visa on arrival.
- Free first visit: the embassy says Pakistanis get a free 30-day tourist visa once per calendar year (January to December). This is Nepal’s gratis visa for SAARC citizens.
- Later visits in the same year: you pay. The Department of Immigration lists US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90 days, all multiple entry.
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months.
- Before you fly: fill in the online tourist visa form on the official NepaliPort portal, or use the kiosks at Kathmandu airport.
- Maximum stay: 150 days of tourist visa per calendar year, including extensions.
The SAARC free visa rule explained
Nepal’s Department of Immigration (DoI) lists “SAARC citizens (except Afghanistan)” for a gratis (free) visa. It covers up to 30 days on the first visit in a visa year. Pakistan is a SAARC member, and the Islamabad embassy confirms the rule for Pakistani passport holders. A “visa year” runs from 1 January to 31 December.
The free visa is still a visa. The DoI says gratis applicants must complete the online application too. No fee is charged.
First visit in a calendar year vs later visits
| Your situation | What the official pages say | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| First visit in the calendar year | Gratis tourist visa, up to 30 days | Free |
| Second or later visit, same calendar year | Paid tourist visa on arrival | US$30 (15 days), US$50 (30 days), US$125 (90 days) |
| Visa from the Islamabad embassy, in advance | Multiple-entry tourist visa | PKR 8,700 (15 days), PKR 14,500 (30 days), PKR 36,250 (90 days) |
| Children under 10 | Gratis visa, up to 30 days | Free |
The embassy also says visa fees apply to any additional visits in the same year. Its PKR fees are what its page showed in October 2026. The page does not say whether the free first visit applies to visas issued at the embassy, so ask them before you apply.
Tip: Planning two Nepal trips in one year? Your free visa covers only the first. A short trip in March means paying in October.
Staying longer than 30 days
You can extend a tourist visa inside Nepal at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or the Immigration Office in Pokhara. The DoI lists:
- Extension: US$3 per day, minimum 15 days
- Late fine: US$5 per day
- Multiple re-entry: an extra US$25
- Cap: 150 days in total per visa year
Know from the start that you need more than 30 days? Ask immigration on arrival whether the free visa plus an extension or a paid 90-day visa suits you better. Do not overstay. UK government advice calls overstaying a serious crime in Nepal.
How visa on arrival works at Kathmandu airport
The DoI describes a three-step process at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu:
- Fill in the arrival card and the online tourist visa form. Do it on the official portal before you fly, or on the kiosk machines at the airport.
- Pay the visa fee at the bank counter. On a free first visit, no fee is charged.
- Go to the immigration desk with your passport, form receipt and payment receipt, if any.
Online visa form before you fly, or kiosks
The official portal is NepaliPort (nepaliport.immigration.gov.np), linked from the DoI website. Type the address yourself rather than clicking ads or third-party links.
After you submit, print the receipt with its barcode. The DoI says it is valid for 15 days, so do not submit more than 15 days before arrival. The portal also offers an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) option, where a paid visa can be paid for online before you travel.
The kiosks work too, but the Nepal Tourism Board says to expect long lines in peak tourist season. Filling in the form at home can save time.
What to carry
- Passport with at least 6 months’ validity
- Printed form receipt with barcode
- A passport-size photo with a light background (the Tourism Board lists one)
- Your hotel booking, at least for the first night, and travel insurance details
- Return or onward ticket
- Some cash as a backup, as the DoI advises. UK advice says US dollars are preferred.
UK advice for British travellers says border officers may ask for a first-night hotel booking. They may also ask for travel insurance covering healthcare and repatriation. The return ticket is general guidance, not a rule we found on Nepal’s pages. Keep these papers handy when you leave Pakistan too.
Health: UK government advice says Nepal requires a polio vaccination certificate from travellers coming from certain countries with a transmission risk. As general guidance, get your polio dose recorded in NADRA’s NIMS system and download the certificate before you fly.
Land borders and other airports
The Tourism Board says visas on arrival are also issued at Pokhara and Gautam Buddha (Lumbini) international airports and other entry points. If you plan to arrive anywhere other than Kathmandu, confirm with the DoI first. Nepal’s land borders are with India and China, so most Pakistani travellers fly into Kathmandu.
Applying in advance at the Nepal Embassy in Islamabad
Most Pakistani visitors do not need this. It can make sense if you want your visa stamped before you fly. The embassy’s process:
- Fill in the online mission visa form on NepaliPort and save the confirmation slip.
- Email the slip to the embassy as PDFs, with your passport bio page and CNIC. Add copies of any previous Nepal visas and entry stamps.
- Add a sponsorship letter. Without one, send a bank statement showing six months of transactions, a hotel booking for your full stay and a return ticket.
- The embassy says it generally replies within 4 working days.
- When it emails you, visit on a weekday (9:30am to 12:30pm) with your original passport, printed slip and papers. Collect the passport in person on the date you are given.
The embassy says processing time varies, so apply well before your trip.
Pakistanis living in the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar
Nepal’s visa rules follow your passport, not your residence. The official pages we checked do not set different rules for Pakistanis flying from Dubai, Riyadh or Doha. The same visa on arrival and free first visit each calendar year apply.
Gulf cities are common connecting points for flights to Kathmandu, which makes Nepal an easy short break for residents there. If you prefer to apply in advance, check the requirements of the Nepalese mission where you live.
Trekking permits and TIMS cards
Your tourist visa lets you enter Nepal. Many treks need more:
- TIMS card and guide: the Tourism Board says rules in force since 31 March 2023 cover specific protected areas. Trekkers there need a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card. Listed routes include Everest Base Camp, Poon Hill to Annapurna Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit and Langtang. The fee is NPR 1,000 for SAARC citizens.
- Restricted areas: places like Upper Mustang need a DoI permit applied for by an authorised trekking agency. Solo trekking there is not allowed. The DoI requires at least two trekkers with a licensed guide.
- Visa dates: the DoI does not issue trekking permits beyond your visa’s expiry date. Make sure your visa covers your whole trek.
Parks and conservation areas usually charge their own entry fees, so ask your agency what is included.
Is Nepal safe for Pakistani travellers?
Check current advice before you go. The UK government’s Nepal advice, updated 1 October 2026, mentions:
- Floods and landslides: major flooding in Rasuwa district on 26 August 2026, with a risk of more landslides in mountain areas
- Protests: demonstrations and strikes are fairly common and can disrupt transport
- Petty crime: pickpockets and bag-snatchers in busy areas such as Thamel
- Air safety: a number of fatal plane and helicopter accidents in recent years. The UK advice asks travellers to check the UK Air Safety List before choosing a Nepali airline.
- Trekking scams: isolated reports of guides rushing trekkers to altitude, then calling in costly helicopter rescues
This is general information, not a safety guarantee.
Planning your Nepal trip
Flights from Pakistan and the Gulf to Kathmandu
When we checked, we could not find a regular direct flight from Pakistan to Kathmandu. Itineraries usually connect through a hub, often in the Gulf, such as Dubai or Doha. Compare journey time, layovers and baggage. Compare flights from Pakistan to Kathmandu.
UK advice says escalation in the Middle East has caused airspace closures, delays and cancellations. This can affect your trip even if you only transit the region. Check your airline’s updates before you fly.
Where to stay: Thamel, Boudha or Pokhara Lakeside
Thamel is busy and central, with guesthouses and trekking shops. Boudha, around the great stupa, is calmer. In Pokhara, Lakeside puts you near the lake and paragliding pick-ups. Compare hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
eSIM for Nepal
A travel eSIM gives you data for maps and ride apps when you land. Coverage can be patchy on high trekking routes, so download offline maps. See eSIM options for Nepal or read eSIM vs roaming vs local SIM.
Travel insurance that covers trekking altitude
Some policies limit trekking cover to a set altitude. Check the altitude limit, helicopter evacuation cover, medical limit and your trip dates before you buy. Compare travel insurance for Nepal.
Tours and airport transfers
Popular extras are an Everest mountain flight, Pokhara paragliding and a Chitwan safari. Partners such as Klook, GetYourGuide and Kiwitaxi offer tours and airport transfers. Read the air safety note above first.
Nepal or northern Pakistan?
Short on time or budget? Hunza and Skardu offer big mountains without a flight abroad. See our Hunza or Skardu trip plan.
Common mistakes
- Thinking “free” means no paperwork. You still fill in the visa form.
- Using your free visa on a short trip, then paying for a second trip in the same year
- Submitting the online form more than 15 days before arrival
- Booking a restricted-area trek on your own
- Overstaying, even by a day
How Voyfaro can help
- Visa: we point you to official Nepalese sources and explain them in plain English. We do not apply for, issue or guarantee visas. See our visa guidance.
- Bookings: we help you compare flights, hotels, eSIMs, insurance, tours and transfers. Partners include Aviasales, Trip.com, Booking.com, Agoda, Airalo, EKTA, Klook and Kiwitaxi.
- You stay in control: you book and pay directly with the partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure.
- Questions? Contact us with your city, dates and who is travelling.
Quick checklist
- Passport valid for at least 6 months
- Is this your first Nepal visit this calendar year? If not, budget for the visa fee.
- Online visa form submitted on NepaliPort within 15 days of arrival
- Barcode receipt printed
- Passport photo, return ticket and hotel booking
- Some cash (US dollars preferred) as a backup
- Polio vaccination certificate from NIMS
- Trekking agency, TIMS card or permits if needed
- Insurance that covers your trekking altitude
- eSIM and airport transfer sorted
FAQ
Is Nepal visa free for Pakistani passport holders?
Not visa-free, but your first visit each calendar year is free. The Islamabad embassy says Pakistanis get a free 30-day tourist visa once per calendar year. You still complete the visa form.
Can Pakistanis get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Yes. The Nepal embassy in Islamabad confirms visa on arrival for Pakistani passport holders. Pakistan is not on the DoI’s list of nationalities who must apply in advance.
How much is the Nepal visa fee for Pakistanis on a second visit?
On arrival, the DoI lists US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90 days. Through the Islamabad embassy, the listed fees are PKR 8,700, 14,500 and 36,250.
Can Pakistanis living in Dubai or the UAE get a Nepal visa on arrival?
Yes. The rule depends on your passport, not your residence. You get the same visa on arrival and the same free first visit.
Is there a direct flight from Pakistan to Nepal?
We could not find a regular direct service when we checked. Itineraries usually connect through a hub, often in the Gulf, such as Dubai or Doha.
Can a Pakistani visit Nepal without a passport?
No. The ID-only entry rules on Nepal’s official pages apply to Indian citizens. Pakistanis need a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Sources
Official pages we checked in October 2026:
- Department of Immigration, Nepal, Visa information (visa on arrival steps, kiosks, form receipt, gratis visa for SAARC citizens)
- Department of Immigration, Nepal, Visa fees and documents (tourist visa fees, extensions, 150-day cap)
- Department of Immigration, Nepal, eVisa and online visa for Nepal (ETA, gratis visa form rule, visa on arrival restrictions, extensions, passport validity)
- Department of Immigration, Nepal, Online visa application services and the NepaliPort portal
- Department of Immigration, Nepal, Frequently asked questions (multiple entry, children under 10, restricted-area trekking, ID entry for Indian citizens)
- Department of Immigration, Nepal, Trekking permit and Trekking routes and permit fees (restricted areas, two-trekker minimum, permits limited to visa dates)
- Embassy of Nepal, Islamabad, Visa (visa on arrival and free yearly visa for Pakistanis, fees for repeat visits, PKR fees, advance application)
- Nepal Tourism Board, Tourist visa (entry points, photo, peak-season lines) and TIMS card (guide rule, routes, SAARC fee)
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Nepal travel advice (updated 1 October 2026), including Entry requirements and Safety and security
- Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Pakistan, Digital vaccination certificate (NIMS)