Arrived in Nepal on a 30-day visa and don’t want to leave? Good news extending your Nepal visa is straightforward.
You can extend your tourist visa up to a total of 150 days per calendar year. The process takes one day. It costs about $3 per extra day. And you don’t need a lawyer or a travel agent to do it. This guide tells you exactly what to do step by step.
Quick Reference: Nepal Visa Extension
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Maximum stay per year | 150 days total |
| Extension cost | $3 USD per day |
| Minimum extension | 15 days |
| Where to extend | Department of Immigration (Kathmandu or Pokhara) |
| Processing time | Same day (usually 1–2 hours) |
| Documents needed | Passport + passport photo + cash |
| Can I extend multiple times? | Yes until you reach 150 days total |
How Long Can You Stay in Nepal?
Nepal allows most Western visitors to stay a maximum of 150 days per calendar year on a tourist visa.
Here’s how it works:
- You arrive with a 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day tourist visa
- You can extend this visa at the Department of Immigration
- Each extension adds days to your current visa
- You cannot exceed 150 days total in one calendar year
So if you arrive on January 1 with a 30-day visa, you can extend up to a maximum of 120 more days staying until around late May.
Simple.How Much Does a Nepal Visa Extension Cost? The cost is $3 USD per day you want to extend. Here are some common examples:
| Extension Length | Cost |
|---|---|
| 15 days | $45 USD |
| 30 days | $90 USD |
| 60 days | $180 USD |
| 90 days | $270 USD |
There’s also a small service charge of around NPR 500–1,000 (about $4–$7 USD) added to the total.
Pay in USD cash or Nepali Rupees. Cards are not always accepted at the immigration office. Bring cash.
Where to Extend Your Nepal Visa
You can extend your visa at two main locations:
1. Kathmandu Department of Immigration
This is the main immigration office and the most reliable option.
Address: Kalikasthan, Dillibazar, Kathmandu
Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 10am–4pm (closed Friday, Saturday, and public holidays)
Getting there: 15-minute taxi from Thamel tell the driver “Immigration Office, Dillibazar”
2. Pokhara — Department of Immigration
If you’re based in Pokhara, you can extend here instead.
Address: Damside area, Pokhara
Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 10am–4pm
Can I extend at the border?
No. Visa extensions must be done at an official Department of Immigration office. You cannot extend at border crossings.
What Documents Do You Need?
The process is simple. Bring these three things:
1. Your passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.
2. One passport-size photo
Standard size (3.5cm × 4.5cm). You can get one printed at any photo shop near the immigration office for about NPR 100–200.
3. Cash
In USD or Nepali Rupees. Bring enough for the extension fee plus the small service charge.
That’s it. No bank statements. No flight tickets. No hotel bookings. Just your passport, a photo, and cash. For details you can read this articals.
Step-by-Step: How to Extend Your Nepal Visa
Follow these steps on the day of your extension.
Step 1: Go to the immigration office
Arrive before noon if possible. The office gets busier in the afternoon.
Step 2: Get an application form
Forms are available free at the entrance. Fill in your name, passport number, current visa expiry date, and how many days you want to extend.
Step 3: Submit your documents
Hand in your completed form, passport, and passport photo at the counter. The officer will tell you the total cost.
Step 4: Pay the fee
Pay at the cashier. Keep your receipt.
Step 5: Wait
The process usually takes 1–2 hours. Some people get their passport back in 30 minutes. During busy periods it can take up to 3 hours.
Step 6: Collect your passport
Your passport will be returned with a new visa sticker showing your extended stay dates.
Done. That’s the whole process.
When Should You Apply for an Extension?
Apply before your current visa expires not on the last day.
Give yourself at least 2–3 days before expiry. This gives you time if there’s an unexpected delay or if the office is closed for a public holiday.
What happens if your visa expires?
You’ll face an overstay fine. The current fine is $5 USD per day of overstay. You’ll need to pay this at the immigration office before you can extend or leave the country.
Don’t let your visa expire. Set a reminder on your phone a week before the expiry date.
Can You Extend Your Visa Online?
As of 2026 no.
Nepal does not currently offer online visa extensions for tourists. You must visit a Department of Immigration office in person.
This may change in the future as Nepal continues modernizing its immigration system. But for now, in-person is the only option.
What If You’ve Already Used 150 Days?
Once you reach 150 days in Nepal within a calendar year, you must leave the country.
Your options:
Option 1: Leave and re-enter
Cross into India (the most common option) or fly to another country. Once you leave Nepal, your day count resets at the start of the next calendar year.
Option 2: Time your stay carefully
If you arrive in Nepal in, say, October, your 150-day allowance runs until the end of December. Then on January 1, a new calendar year begins and you can get a fresh 150 days.
Common border crossing for visa runs:
The Sunauli border crossing (Nepal–India) is the most popular for a quick visa run. It’s reachable by bus from Pokhara or Kathmandu in 6–8 hours.
Nepal Visa Extension for Different Nationalities
Most Western nationalities follow the same rules $3/day extension, 150-day maximum.
However, two nationalities have different rules:
Indian citizens: Can stay in Nepal indefinitely without a visa. No extension needed.
Chinese citizens: Have a specific bilateral agreement with Nepal different visa terms may apply. Check with the Nepal Embassy in China before traveling.
All other nationalities (US, UK, Australia, Canada, EU countries, etc.): Standard rules apply 150 days maximum, $3/day extension.
Practical Tips for Your Visa Extension
Tip 1: Go early in the week
Monday and Tuesday mornings are the quietest times at the immigration office. Avoid Thursday afternoons it gets very busy as people rush before the weekend closure.
Tip 2: Bring extra passport photos
You only need one but having two or three spares saves time if there’s a problem.
Tip 3: Bring USD cash
USD is accepted and sometimes preferred over Nepali Rupees. Bring clean, undamaged notes torn or very old USD notes are sometimes refused.
Tip 4: Don’t rely on the ATM nearby
The ATM near the Kathmandu immigration office is not always working. Withdraw cash in Thamel before you go.
Tip 5: Check the holiday calendar
Nepal has many public holidays throughout the year. The immigration office closes on these days. Check the Nepal government holiday calendar before planning your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay in Nepal on a tourist visa?
A maximum of 150 days per calendar year. You can arrive on a 15-day, 30-day, or 90-day visa and extend it multiple times as long as you don’t exceed 150 days total in that calendar year.
How much does a Nepal visa extension cost?
$3 USD per day plus a small service charge of about $4–$7 USD. A 30-day extension costs approximately $94–$97 total.
Where do I extend my Nepal visa?
At the Department of Immigration office in Kathmandu (Dillibazar area) or Pokhara (Damside area). Open Sunday to Thursday, 10am–4pm. Closed Friday, Saturday, and public holidays.
What documents do I need to extend my Nepal visa?
Just three things: your passport, one passport-size photo, and cash for the fee. No bank statements, hotel bookings, or flight tickets required.
How long does the visa extension process take?
Usually 1–2 hours from arrival at the office. Sometimes as quick as 30 minutes, occasionally up to 3 hours during busy periods.
Can I extend my Nepal visa online?
No as of 2026, Nepal does not offer online visa extensions. You must visit a Department of Immigration office in person.
What happens if my Nepal visa expires?
You’ll face an overstay fine of $5 USD per day. Pay this at the immigration office before extending or leaving. Always extend before your visa expires to avoid this.
Can I extend my Nepal visa at the border?
No. Visa extensions must be done at an official Department of Immigration office either in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Border crossings do not offer extensions.
How many times can I extend my Nepal visa?
As many times as you want until you reach the 150-day annual maximum. You can extend in 15-day increments if you prefer to be flexible.
What is the minimum visa extension in Nepal?
15 days is the minimum extension you can apply for. You cannot extend by less than 15 days.