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Nepal Visa for France Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

French citizens can get a visa on arrival in Nepal at Tribhuvan International Airport or major land borders - 30-day visa costs USD 50, paid in cash or by card.

Guide last updated September 23, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival date, with 2 blank pages
  • Completed Arrival Visa form (fill on arrival, or pre-fill online at nepalimmigration.gov.np/onlinevisa to get a QR code and skip the paper queue)
  • Passport-size photo is optional since Kathmandu airport now captures a digital photo and fingerprints at the counter
  • Proof of onward/return ticket and hotel booking or trekking itinerary
  • Cash (USD or EUR) or card for the visa fee - exact change recommended
  • Travel/health insurance is not mandatory for the visa but strongly recommended for trekking regions

Visa types

  • Tourist visa 15 days - USD 30, multiple entry
  • Tourist visa 30 days - USD 50, multiple entry
  • Tourist visa 90 days - USD 125, multiple entry
  • Nepal does not offer a separate short single-entry category for tourists - all visa-on-arrival tourist visas are multiple entry

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and land border posts including Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belahiya/Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Dhangadhi and Kodari
  • Steps: complete the arrival form (paper at the counter or online pre-registration for a QR code), pay the fee at the bank counter inside immigration, proceed to the immigration desk for photo and fingerprint capture, receive the visa stamp
  • Queues at Kathmandu airport can be long in peak season (Oct-Nov, Mar-Apr) - the online pre-registration lane is noticeably faster
  • Carry small denomination USD or EUR notes in good condition; cards are accepted but the counter sometimes has connectivity issues

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee only: USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days) or USD 125 (90 days) - no separate service fee
  • No advance processing needed for on-arrival visas; typical wait at the counter is 15-45 minutes depending on flight volume
  • Online pre-registration (free) shortens the in-person process to a few minutes
  • Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara, roughly USD 45 for the first 15 days plus a daily rate after

Tips for France travelers

  • Complete the online arrival form 1-2 days before landing to avoid the paper-form queue
  • Bring crisp, undamaged USD or EUR bills - torn or old notes are sometimes refused
  • Trekking permits (TIMS card, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, Sagarmatha National Park entry) are separate from the visa and bought in Kathmandu or Pokhara
  • Restricted areas (parts of Mustang, Dolpo, Humla) require an additional special permit arranged through a registered trekking agency
  • The French embassy in Kathmandu can assist with lost passports but cannot expedite visa issues

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.