Nepal Press Visa

Are you a journalist looking to represent your media house in Nepal? Then, you need to obtain a Nepal Press Visa. This post contains all the essential information you need to begin your application and processing.

The Nepal government has simplified the procedure for applying for a visa to the country, making it easier for foreign workers, visitors, and investors to visit. Almost all foreign nationals may now obtain a visa upon arrival at the Nepal international airport or any of its border crossings.

In this article, we will go through the specifics of applying for a Nepal press visa, the necessary documents, fees, and the duration of stay.

About Nepal

Along the southern slopes of the Himalayan Mountains ranges sits the Asian nation of Nepal. India borders it on the east and west, while China’s Tibet Autonomous Region borders it on the north.

Nepal is one of the least developed nations in the world. This is because it lacks significant resources, both natural and manufactured, for economic growth. The fact that it is sandwiched between China and India, two of the world’s two largest economies, hasn’t helped it in that regard. However, this position is advantageous when it comes to getting foreign help.

Kathmandu, the prominent central city in Nepal, serves as its capital. The Kathmandu valley is the only region with the required hotels, roads, and international transit services; hence, most of Nepal’s tourism is restricted to this region. Therefore, it is probable that a tourist or journalist visiting Nepal will have to stay in this region.

The Nepal Visa is a travel authorization by the Nepal government given to foreign nationals to grant them legal entry into the country. There are many kinds of Nepal visas: tourist, work, business, relationship, etc. As the names imply, you can get these visas depending on what type of activity you want in Nepal.

Therefore, the Nepal Press visa is the sort of visa offered to journalists and press members coming to Nepal for official duty. Like all Nepal visas, you have to first apply for a Nepal tourist visa when coming in. There, in the country, you can change your visa category to whatever kind of visa you need, depending on your intended activities.

Who needs a Nepal Press Visa?

All foreigners wishing to enter Nepal, except for citizens of India, must get a Nepal visa. Most international travelers may acquire a visa upon arrival in Nepal at the border or immigration office. However, visitors from the nations on the following list are not eligible to apply for a visa to Nepal upon arrival. They must do so in advance of their trip at the nearest embassy or consulate. They are:

Nigeria
Afghanistan
Cameroon
Ghana
Liberia
Syria
Iraq
Somalia
Eswatini
Zimbabwe
Palestine
Ethiopia

Nepal Press Visa Requirements and Documentation

The documentation you present upon arrival in Nepal will vary depending on the purpose of your visit. Thus, you should complete the online application form before leaving for Nepal. These Nepal visa requirements are essentially the same, except for a few distinctive documents specific to the kind of visa you need.

However, as already pointed out, you will first need to apply for a tourist visa or get a visa on arrival. The documents you need for the visa on arrival include:

Your original passport, with at least two empty visa pages and six months validity beyond the date you intend to leave Nepal.
Copies of the passport page that includes your personal information
At least two recent passport-sized pictures of yourself (1.5 x 1.5 inches with a white background). However, we recommend you take more than two because you might need them for other purposes like visa extension, paying for your visa, or any other emergencies.
The Nepal visa application form must be completed online, printed, and signed.
Proof of accommodation in Nepal. An example of this may be a hotel reservation or a residential address.
A return flight or travel ticket that is valid.
Evidence of adequate financial resources, such as the previous three months’ worth of bank statements
Proof that you’ve paid the Nepal visa fee

When you get to Nepal, and you want to change your category for a Nepal press visa, you will need the following documents:

The Nepal press visa application form; completed, printed, and signed
A letter of recommendation from the Department of Information in Nepal
An ID Card issued by the Nepal Press Council
Copy of Passport
Photocopy of your Nepal visa
Payment of the Nepal press visa fee

How to Apply for a Nepal Visa-on-Arrival

Suppose you are eligible for a Nepal visa on arrival. In that case, you can acquire one at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu or any of the land border crossings in the nation.

You must follow these procedures to apply for your Nepal visa on arrival:

Complete the Nepal Visa Application Form: It is usually better to complete this form online and print it before traveling to Nepal. After you do so, the authorities will send you the specific document list you need to bring to the immigration office. Also, it can help you avoid long queues at the airport or other land border crossings.
Pay the Nepal Visa Fee: Once you’ve completed your application for a Nepal visa, you must go to the appropriate location (a bank counter at the airport or border crossing) to pay the visa fee. The Nepal visa fee varies based on how long you intend to stay in the country.
Apply for the Nepal Visa on Arrival: Once the visa money has been paid, you may submit your application at the immigration counter for your visa to be granted. If you are not qualified for a Nepal visa on arrival, you can get a visa via any of Nepal’s diplomatic offices overseas. You must contact the nearest embassy to learn about scheduling an appointment and any unique criteria for submitting your visa application.

How to Change Your Nepal Tourist Visa to a Press Visa

As we pointed out before, all international visitors to Nepal must have a tourist visa, which you can get upon arrival at the airport or via any of Nepal’s diplomatic missions overseas. However, if you are visiting Nepal for any purpose other than tourism, you must change your tourist visa to the appropriate type of visa. To do this, apply to the Nepal Department of Immigration and the supporting documentation listed above.

The Nepal visa requirements vary based on the reason for your visit. The documents needed for the Nepal press visa have been outlined above. In addition, you will need a reference letter from the Nepali Ministry of Information.

Nepal tourist visa vs. Nepal press visa

All foreigners entering Nepal must have a tourist visa. On the other hand, a Nepal press visa is only given to journalists or press members on the recommendation of the Nepal Department of Information.

The difference is that all visitors need a Nepal tourist visa. You can get it from any Nepalese diplomatic mission abroad or at the Nepalese border. Conversely, you can only apply for a Nepal press visa after arriving in Nepal and getting approval from the Ministry of Information in Nepal.

Nepal Press Visa Duration, Costs, and Processing Time

If you’re not applying for a visa on arrival in Nepal, the processing time for your Nepal visa can take up to ten (10) business days. Hence, it would be best to try to apply up to three weeks before your intended travel date.

The cost of a Nepal visa varies according to how long you want to stay there. For example, a Nepal press visa is issued for three months (90 days) at a stretch. Hence, the Nepal visa fees are as follows:

15 days: $30
30 days: $50
90 days: $125

Maintaining a press visa for Nepal costs 15 USD per month. In addition to the monthly visa price of 15 USD, the single re-entry facility has an additional cost of 20 USD. In comparison, the multiple re-entry facility has an additional cost of 60 USD.

Frequently Asked Questions

#1. Can I get a Nepal visa online?

No, you can’t. Although you can complete the visa application online, it must be printed, signed, and submitted in person with the required paperwork upon arrival at the airport or a Nepalese diplomatic outpost.

#2. Can I enter Nepal without a tourist visa?

You can only enter Nepal without a tourist visa if you’re from India or getting a visa on arrival. For the latter, you must collect your visa at the airport or border crossing. However, if your visit is for a different reason, you must apply to the immigration office and obtain a letter of recommendation from the relevant ministry or department.

#3. Does Nepal have e-Visas?

No, the Nepalese government does not issue e-visas. You either obtain a tourist visa on arrival or from one of the Nepalese diplomatic outposts overseas.

#4. How can I extend a Nepal visa?

You can prolong your Nepal visa at the Immigration Department’s headquarters in Kathmandu. However, you must apply for an extension before your Nepal visa expires. If you submit your application after your visa has expired, the authorities could penalize, imprison, or prosecute you.

#5. Is a Nepal visa challenging to get?

Getting a Nepal visa is relatively simple, considering most of the application process happens online, and most countries can get a visa on arrival. Even for those who cannot apply for a visa on arrival, the process takes two weeks.

Conclusion

Getting a Nepal press visa might seem complicated, but it’s not. First, you follow the steps to get your tourist visa. Then, when you get to Nepal, apply to the Department of Immigration for a visa change and get a letter of recommendation from the ministry of information. Voila! You’re good to go. We hope this has been informative for you.