Nepal Visa for Yoga Travellers
Most visitors get a tourist visa on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. The fees are 30 USD for 15 days, 50 USD for 30 days and 125 USD for 90 days, and the airport process is quick if you have cash and a photo ready. Indian citizens do not need a visa.
Founder, Swamini & Lead Instructor
Reviewed and updated October 2026
Can I get a Nepal visa on arrival for a yoga trip?
Yes. Nepal offers a tourist visa on arrival to citizens of most countries at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, and a tourist visa covers everything a yoga student, retreat guest or teacher-training participant does as a visitor. You do not need a special visa to attend a course or retreat.
A small number of nationalities must obtain a visa in advance from a Nepalese embassy rather than on arrival; if you are unsure, check with your nearest Nepalese mission before you travel. Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Nepal.
Nepal tourist visa fees
Fees set by the Department of Immigration, payable on arrival (or with an online application).
| Duration | Fee (USD) | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| 15 days | 30 | Healing sessions, a 1 to 5-day retreat, Reiki training or a singing bowl course |
| 30 days | 50 | The 21-day, 200-hour teacher training |
| 90 days | 125 | Training plus travel around Nepal, or a longer stay |
The visa-on-arrival process
At Tribhuvan International Airport, the steps are clearly signed.
- 1
Fill in the application
Use the self-service kiosks in the arrivals hall, or complete the online tourist-visa form within 15 days before you travel and bring the confirmation. Have your passport ready.
- 2
Pay the fee
Pay the fee for your chosen duration at the visa fee counter. US dollars in cash is the most reliable; major currencies and cards are usually accepted but cash is simplest.
- 3
Get your visa
Take your payment receipt and form to the immigration desk, where your tourist visa is stamped into your passport.
- 4
Clear immigration
Proceed through immigration and collect your luggage. You are now free to travel anywhere in Nepal as a tourist for the duration you paid for.
What to bring
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, with a blank page.
- A passport-size photo (the kiosks can take one, but bringing a spare avoids delays).
- US dollars in cash for the visa fee, ideally close to the exact amount.
- Your accommodation or centre address for the arrival form.
Which visa should a teacher-training student choose?
For healing sessions, a 1, 3 or 5-day retreat, a Reiki level or either singing bowl course, the 15-day visa is enough. For a 200-hour teacher training in Kathmandu, which runs for 21 days, the 30-day visa gives you a comfortable buffer to arrive early and leave a little time at the end.
If you plan to travel around Nepal after your training, choose the 90-day visa. Taking the longer visa at the start is easier than extending it later.
Extending your stay
If you decide to stay longer, tourist visas can be extended at the Department of Immigration. Extensions cost around 3 USD per day (for a minimum of 15 days), with a late fee of about 5 USD per day if your visa has already expired. A tourist can stay in Nepal for up to 150 days in a calendar year.
Written by
Maa Nisha KabirFounder and lead instructor of Jivan Parivartan, with 20+ years of meditation practice, including two years in a Mustang cave. She has taught Usui Reiki since 2021.
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