Nepal
NPLNepal is a landlocked South Asian nation nestled between India and China, home to eight of the world's ten tallest peaks including Everest. Kathmandu, the capital, is the cultural and economic hub. The economy relies on remittances, tourism, and agriculture. Nepal does not permit dual citizenship and naturalisation requires 15 years of continuous residence.
The country operates a residence-based tax system. Cost of living is among the lowest in Asia, making it attractive for budget travellers and trekkers. Foreign ownership of land is restricted, and long-term residency visas for non-South-Asian nationals are limited and difficult to obtain.
- Naturalisation
- 15 years
- Tax system
- Residence Based
- Currency
- NPR
- Dual citizenship
- Not allowed
- Capital
- Kathmandu
- Region
- asia
- Population
- 30,034,989
- Cost-of-living
- 26 /100
Passport Rank
#103
Visa-Free
35
destinations
Visa-free travel
A Nepal passport has visa-free access to 35 destinations. See the full Nepal passport breakdown →
Passports that enter Nepal without a prior visa (183)
Visa-free, visa on arrival, or on an eTA.
Community-sourced (passport-index, synced 2026-08-18) — verify with the embassy before travel.
Immigrating to Canada from Nepal
Current IRCC processing times for Nepal nationals, by application type.
| Visitor visa (outside Canada) | 42 days |
| Super visa | 58 days |
| Study permit | 5 weeks |
| Work permit | 9 weeks |
| Sponsor a dependent child | No processing time available |
| Adopted child (citizenship) | Not enough data |
| Government-assisted refugees | Not enough data |
| Privately sponsored refugees | sponsor: Not enough data / refugee: Not enough data |
Your application may take longer than the times shown here. They’re not a maximum or a guarantee.
As of 2026-09-22 (IRCC). See all Canada processing times →
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — “Check processing times”. This is a copy of the version available at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/check-processing-times.html. Reproduced under the Government of Canada’s non-commercial reproduction terms; not endorsed by or affiliated with IRCC.
Sources & last verified
Government of Canada — non-commercial reproduction (canada.ca Terms and conditions)
Country Details
- Capital
- Kathmandu
- Currency
- NPR
- Languages
- Nepali
- Population
- 30,034,989
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
- Naturalisation
- 15 years
- Schengen / EU
- No
- Climate
- Varies from subtropical in the south (Terai) to alpine in the north; Himalayan peaks dominate the north
- English Proficiency Rank
- #62
- GDP per capita
- $1,536
- Life expectancy
- 70.64 yrs
- Population growth
- -0.11%/yr
GDP per capita, life expectancy, and population growth: World Bank (2025).
Indices
Cost of Living
26
Safety
61
Healthcare
43
Quality of Life
97
Tax Summary
- Tax System
- Residence Based
- Territorial Taxation
- No — worldwide income taxed for residents
- Naturalisation
- 15 years of legal residency
- Dual Citizenship
- Not allowed
Cost of Living by City
← scroll the table →
| City | Rent 1BR centre | Rent outside | Groceries | Utilities | Transit pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | — | — | — | — | — |
| Pokhara | — | — | — | — | — |
| Lalitpur | — | — | — | — | — |
Monthly USD figures. Typical central 1-bedroom rent, grocery basket for one, household utilities, monthly transit pass.
Climate
Kathmandu
Rainfall range: 8–360 mm/month · Daylight 10h (winter) to 14h (summer)
Visa Categories & Immigration Authority
Major Visa Categories
- Tourist Visa (On Arrival)
- Business Visa
- Investor (Non-Residential Nepali) Visa
- Study Visa
- Work Visa
- Marriage Visa
- Diplomatic / Official Visa
- Residence Visa
- Transit Visa
- Trekking Permit (Restricted Area)
- Authority
- Department of Immigration
- Official Portal
- www.immigration.gov.np
- Phone
- +977 1 4494274
- info@immigration.gov.np
Naturalisation Details
- Residence Years
- 15
- Language Test
- Yes (Nepali)
- Civic Test
- No
- Oath Required
- Yes
- Dual Allowed
- No
- Fee
- $25
- Processing
- ~12 months
Safety
GPI Rank
#69
Global Peace Index ranking (lower is safer)
Common Risks
- ⚠Trekking gear rentals with counterfeit or substandard equipment charged at premium rates
- ⚠Fake or unlicensed trekking guides demanding large upfront fees then abandoning clients
- ⚠Overpriced gem and carpet shops using inflated 'wholesale' pitches targeting tourists near tourist hubs
Examples of areas to avoid: Thamel back-alleys late at night (petty theft and aggressive touts), Ratnapark bus station area after dark (pickpocketing and bag-snatching)
Regulators & official sources
Bodies that regulate immigration advice in Nepal, and the official sources indexed for it by Visa Atlas. Descriptions are verbatim; each links to its source.
Nepal Bar Association
NBAProfessional body for advocates in Nepal. There is no dedicated immigration-adviser regulator; representation is by licensed advocates.
Related Guides
Related on The Citizenship Desk
Visa routes
Official visa and residence routes for Nepal, indexed from Visa Atlas. Each links to its government source. This is a licensed external index, distinct from our own curated visa guides.
Residence
Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Visa
ResidenceFor you if you are of Nepali origin and hold an NRN identity card: the NRN Visa is a long-stay route for the Nepali diaspora, and recent law changes have made it more generous - including free issuance.
Residential Visa (long-stay, proof of income)
ResidenceFor you if you want to live in Nepal long term without doing business: the Residential Visa is a long-stay route that requires proof of income - but please read the honesty note, because it is not a settled-status or citizenship pathway.
Work (sponsored)
Working (Non-Tourist) Visa
Work (sponsored)The ordinary route for a foreign national taking employment in Nepal. Obtain the labour permit, relevant ministry recommendation and Home Ministry work agreement before the Department of Immigration issues the Working Visa.
Family
Family Residence: Citizen Relatives and Dependants
FamilyChoose the correct family branch: Relationship Visa for qualifying relatives of Nepali citizens is distinct from dependant permission attached to a foreign principal’s work, business or study status.
Study
Study Visa (study, research and approved teaching)
StudyFor study, research or the specifically approved teaching branch in Nepal. Education Ministry recommendation is required; teaching also needs Home Ministry work agreement and Labour approval.
Investor
Business Visa (foreign investors and representatives)
InvestorFor you if you are an approved foreign investor or business representative in Nepal: the Business Visa is the long-stay route for people investing in or running an approved business, granted on a recommendation from the relevant authority.
Sources & last verified
Route index from Visa Atlas (CC BY 4.0), as of 2026-09-12. Each route links to its official government source.
Sources & last verified
- Last verified