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South Africa to Nepal visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders do NOT need a visa in advance. Nepal grants a tourist visa on arrival (VOA) at Tribhuvan International Airport (Kathmandu) and major land borders. You pay USD 30 (15 days), USD 50 (30 days), or USD 125 (90 days), all multiple-entry. Completing the online pre-application at the Department of Immigration portal speeds up the counter, but is optional. As of 2026, South Africa (ZA) ordinary passport holders are among the 150+ nationalities eligible for a Nepal tourist visa on arrival. The visa is issued at all official ports of entry, including Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Gautam Buddha international airports, and designated land borders with India and China. Fees are fixed in USD by tier of stay: USD 30 for 15 days, USD 50 for 30 days, and USD 125 for 90 days, all with multiple-entry validity within a single calendar year (the visa validity runs against the Nepali calendar year, January to December). Passport must be valid for at least six months. A pre-filled online application via the Department of Immigration / Nepal Immigration portal generates a barcode receipt that shortens the airport queue, but South Africans can also complete the form on arrival. Onward/return ticket and proof of funds may be checked. Nepal is in South Asia and is not part of the Schengen area, so no Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS applies. Stays can be extended in-country up to a maximum total of 150 days per calendar year. Nationals of a short excluded list (e.g. Afghanistan, Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Somalia, Iraq, Syria) must obtain a visa in advance, but South Africa is not on that list.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist visa on arrival (also available as pre-arrival eVisa/ETA via the official portal)
Maximum stay
15, 30 or 90 days depending on fee tier
per entry
Entries
Multiple entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 30 / USD 50 / USD 125 (approx. ZAR 600 / 1,000 / 2,500 at the Nepal Embassy in Pretoria)
consular fee only
Processing time
Issued same day at the immigration counter on arrival; online pre-application takes minutes
standard track
Validity
Valid within the Nepali calendar year of issue; max total tourist stay 150 days per calendar year
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Check passport validity and onward ticket
Ensure your South African passport is valid for at least six months beyond arrival, has a blank page, and have a return or onward ticket plus proof of sufficient funds ready.
· 6 months validity· Onward ticket
/02
(Recommended) Pre-fill the online visa application
Within 15 days of travel, complete the form at the Nepal Department of Immigration online visa portal, upload a passport photo, and print the barcode receipt to speed up the arrival counter.
· nepaliport.immigration.gov.np· Barcode receipt
/03
Prepare the visa fee in USD cash
Carry the exact fee in USD or convertible currency. Card payment is accepted at Kathmandu airport but cash avoids machine outages; have a passport photo as backup.
· USD cash· Exact change
/04
Complete arrival formalities at the port of entry
At Tribhuvan International Airport (or a land border), use the visa registration kiosk or hand in your form, then proceed to the visa fee counter.
· Kiosk or form· TIA Kathmandu
/05
Pay the fee and collect your visa
Pay at the visa fee counter, take the receipt to the immigration desk where the officer verifies documents and stamps your tourist visa into the passport.
· Pay then stamp
/06
Extend in Nepal if needed
For longer stays, extend at the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu or Pokhara: USD 45 for 15 days, then USD 3 per extra day, up to 150 days total per calendar year.
· Max 150 days/year
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Nepal · Tourist visa on arrival (also available as pre-arrival eVisa/ETA via the official portal)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSouth African passport valid 6+ months beyond arrival with a blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredOne recent passport-sized colour photo (light background)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredVisa fee in USD cash (USD 30 / 50 / 125) or a payment card
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredReturn or onward flight ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedPrinted barcode receipt from the online pre-application
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedAddress/hotel booking for the arrival card
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance covering Nepal
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredConfirmation you are not on the visa-on-arrival excluded list (South Africa is eligible)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
OptionalSpare USD small notes for exact change
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
optional
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesEmbassy of Nepal, Pretoria - VisaNepal Tourism Board - Tourist VisaNepal Department of Immigration - Online Visa Portal
Application link included: Embassy of Nepal, Pretoria - Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist VOA - 15 days (multiple entry)USD 30Approx. ZAR 600 if paid at the Nepal Embassy, Pretoria
Tourist VOA - 30 days (multiple entry)USD 50Approx. ZAR 1,000 at the embassy
Tourist VOA - 90 days (multiple entry)USD 125Approx. ZAR 2,500 at the embassy
Visa extension (first 15 days)USD 45Then USD 3 per additional day; max 150 days/year
Total estimateUSD 30 — USD 125incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival at port of entry
Same day (minutes at counter)
Get the visa directly at Kathmandu airport or a land border. Pre-fill the online form for a barcode receipt to skip queues.
eVisa / ETA pre-application (online portal)
A few minutes; print receipt
Optional pre-arrival application via the Department of Immigration portal that streamlines the on-arrival process.
Visa from Nepal Embassy, Pretoria
Several working days
Apply in advance with passport, form, photos and fee if you prefer the visa stamped before departure.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Africa is on Nepal's visa-on-arrival eligible list
Nepal grants VOA to nationals of all countries except a short excluded list; South Africa is not excluded.
High
/02
Tourism and trekking visits
Most South African travellers go for sightseeing, trekking or pilgrimage, all covered by the tourist visa.
High
/03
Choice of stay length
Travellers pick 15, 30 or 90 day tiers depending on itinerary, with multiple entry allowing side trips to India or Tibet.
Medium
/04
Pre-application to save time
Many use the online portal to generate a barcode and avoid the arrival queue.
Medium
/05
In-country extension
Long-stay visitors extend at the Immigration Department up to 150 days per calendar year.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
South Africa to Nepal route verified
Confirmed visa-on-arrival eligibility and current USD fee tiers (30/50/125) against the Nepal Embassy Pretoria, Nepal Tourism Board and Department of Immigration sources.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do South Africans need a visa before flying to Nepal?—
No. South African ordinary passport holders receive a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport and major land borders. Applying in advance is optional.
How much does the Nepal tourist visa cost?+
Can I pay the visa fee with a card or must I bring cash?+
Is the visa single or multiple entry?+
How long can I stay and can I extend?+
Does the Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS apply to Nepal?+
/11 — Passport tools

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