With the increasing cases of Corona Virus (COVID19) all around the globe, taking the measures recommended by WHO the Government of Nepal has decided to temporarily suspend arrival visa facilities for all nationals. According to the Home Ministry of Nepal, the government will ban visa-on-arrival for a citizen of the following countries.
- The people's republic of China, including special Administrative Regions
- Islamic Republic of Iran
- Italy
- Republic of Korea
- Japan
- France
- Germany
- Spain
Taking into account global recommendations and measures of WHO, The decision to ban these 8 countries was intended to combat a possible COVID-19 outbreak in Nepal.
The Meeting held by the Government of Nepal on 1st March 2020, has decided to ban the on-arrival visa, which will be effective from 10th March 2020. This decision was made by the Nepal government with the objective to control and make COVID19-free in Nepal. With this bold decision made by the government, it is expected that the travelers will feel much more secure and safe during their visit to Nepal.
The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 has greatly impacted the tourism industry. As Nepal is celebrating the visit of Nepal year 2020, with the target of attracting 2 million travelers in Nepal. Due to the coronavirus epidemic seen all around the globe, Nepal’s government is planning to postpone the campaign Nepal Tourism Year 2020.
How to Acquire a visa to travel to Nepal?
Although Nepal has stopped arrival visas but has not banned any nationals from all around the globe who are willing to come to Nepal. As per the Tourism Ministry, Yogesh Bhattarai, the temporary ban on the arrival visa was done to make Nepal a COVID19-free zone so that travelers can enjoy the beauty of Nepal, without any fear and hesitation.
Travelers who are planning of visiting Nepal can easily acquire a travel visa for Nepal. In order to get a travel visa to Nepal, travelers need to go to Nepal Embassy or the nearest Nepal consulate with no Corona virus-proof health certificate. All tourists are allowed to stay in Nepal for a maximum of 150 days in one calendar year. Visitors must hold passports that are valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival. The aforementioned health certificate will be scrutinized both at the immigration at the airport in Kathmandu and at the land border entry-exit point of Nepal.
The Nationals of the above-mentioned eight countries who have got the prior visa from the missions and embassies abroad are also required to produce a health certificate stating that they are not infected with COVID19. It is also recommended for the nationals of eight countries to use the Tribhuvan International Airport at Kathmandu as their entry and exit point. The rest of the Land POE (Point of Entry and Exit) will be temporarily suspended until further notice.
