Travel & Visa

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA):

Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) is situated in Kathmandu which has direct flights from Thailand, Japan, India, Singapore, China, Bangladesh, Bhutan, UAE, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, South Korea, Turkey. Tribhuvan International Airport is located around 4.5 KM away from the meeting venue.

Pre-Paid Taxi

Your hotel may offer you free airport transfer.

If not, pre-paid taxi service is available at the airport.

You will find the taxi counter on your right once you step out of the arrival gate. The rates are made visible as they are exhibited on the board for your security.

Currency and Foreign Exchange

Most foreign currencies are accepted by Banks and Money exchanger kiosks in Nepal.

You can exchange your foreign currency in a bank or from money exchanger kiosks.

There are two money exchange counters at the arrival lounge.

Differences in the exchange rates between banks and money exchanger kiosks are not great. Money exchanger kiosks respond relatively faster than bank systems. There are a lot of money exchanger Kiosks within the Thamel area, which require around a 10 Minutes walk from the APAN conference venue.

Visa

Nepal is one of the most visa-friendly countries, allowing citizens of almost all nations to obtain a tourist visa on arrival. APAN delegates are advised to apply “Tourist Visa” to enter Nepal. You can get the visa via the following two ways:

  1. Before your Travel (through Nepal Embassy or Consulate in your country using this link – https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/online)
  2. On-arrival (https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/on-arrival/IO01)

The above option (1) will save time at immigration and help pass through very swiftly.
Opting for option (2), you can either apply online before you arrive in Nepal and present the visa submission receipt with the barcode to the immigration officer at the airport or fill out the visa form via the Kiosks at the Airport.  Overall, you need to take the following steps to get an On-arrival visa:

  • First  Step
    • Fill in the ‘Arrival Card ‘ provided by your flight attendant or can be available at Tables in the Immigration Lobby area.
    • Fill in the Online ‘Tourist Visa Form’ (you can fill it out prior to your arrival by visiting the official website (https://nepaliport.immigration.gov.np/on-arrival/IO01) or fill it out using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport).  If you are filling in using the website, you will get the submission Receipt with the barcode, which need to be printed and bring it along for acquiring a visa.  Also, bring a recent digital photograph (1.5″x1.5″) in your removable device if you are using kiosks at the airport. In the visa form, you need to provide the address of your stay, telephone numbers, email address, etc.
  • Second  Step  
    • Make payment at the bank counter according to your visa requirement (15/30/90 Days).
    • Get the visa fee payment receipt.

 While you can use different modes of payment (at the visa fees collection counter), we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.

On-Arrival Visa Fee

15 Days – 30 USD

30 Days – 50 USD

90 Days – 125 USD

  • Third Step  
    • Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your passport, boarding pass, visa application form receipts, and visa fee payment receipts.

Note: Your passport must be valid for at least six months and you will need a whole free page for your visa and recent photographs. Nepal Immigration does not accept handwritten Passports.

Visa Waiver / Exemptions (Do not need Entry Visa)

Based on reciprocity, Diplomatic and Official or Service Passport holders of the listed countries are exempted from the visa requirement to enter and stay in Nepal. Listed countries are China, Brazil, Russia, Thailand, Mongolia, and Myanmar.

SARRC citizens do not require to pay visa fees (except Afghanistan) if they are visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa year.
Afghan citizens need to request APAN55 Local Secretariat for necessary paperwork with the Department of Immigration to get a free visa ‘On Arrival’.

Prohibition to Visa On-Arrival

Foreign Nationals (except officials and diplomatic passport holders) of 12 countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Cameroon, Somalia, Liberia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Palestine,  Syria) are requested to obtain Tourist visa from Nepalese diplomatic mission (Embassies and Consulates) prior to their departure to Nepal. Also,  Refugees with travel documents are not eligible for an On-Arrival visa.

Travelers do not need an invitation letter for a Tourist visa.