Nepal Tourist Visa Extension in 2026: Process, Offices, Documents and Limits

If you are already in Nepal on a tourist visa and your permitted stay is running out, you do not have to leave the country to reset the clock. Extensions are handled inside Nepal, and the process is short once you know what to bring and where to go. The information below reflects the rules as of October 2026.

How long an extension lasts and the annual cap

The Department of Immigration (DoI) grants tourist‑visa extensions in 15‑day blocks. You can keep extending until you reach a total of 150 days of tourist stay in a single visa year (January – December). Once you hit that 150‑day ceiling you must either leave Nepal or switch to a different visa category; another 15‑day extension will not be approved.

Act early – the deadline warning

Begin the extension at least a week before your current stay expires. An application that is still being processed does **not** give you legal status. If your permitted stay lapses while paperwork moves, you will face an overstay penalty that the DoI assesses on departure. Confirm the current penalty amount on the DoI website before you travel.

Who can apply for a tourist visa extension

Only foreigners who currently hold a valid tourist visa are eligible. If you entered on a different visa class (business, study, volunteer, etc.) or your tourist stay has already expired, the tourist‑extension route does not apply. Check your visa stamp and, if unsure, contact the DoI before you plan a visit.

Where to lodge a tourist visa extension application

As of 2026 the Department of Immigration accepts tourist‑visa extension applications at its headquarters in Kathmandu (Kalikasthan) and at the regional Immigration Offices in Pokhara and Biratnagar. No border‑crossing offices process extensions. Office addresses, counter numbers and public hours can change, so verify the latest details on the DoI site – https://www.immigration.gov.np – specifically the Tourist Visa Extension page.

The DoI also offers an online portal where you can fill the extension form, upload scans of your passport and photo, and book an appointment slot. Using the portal can cut queue time, but you still need to appear in person at the chosen office for biometric verification and payment.

Documents to bring

Requirements are adjusted quietly, so treat the list below as a starting point and reconfirm a day or two before you go.

• Passport with a valid tourist visa (original and a clear photocopy of the bio‑page and visa page)
• Completed extension application form – either the paper version from the office or the print‑out from the online portal
• Two recent passport‑size photographs (white background, 35 mm × 45 mm)
• Proof of onward or return travel (flight itinerary or bus ticket) – the officer may ask for this
• If you applied online: the appointment confirmation slip

A missing form or photograph is the most common reason a single trip turns into two.

What the visit looks like

Arrive at the chosen office with all documents, hand them to the counter, pay the fee (amount published on the DoI site on the day), and either wait for the passport to be returned with the extension stamp or collect it later the same day. Payment is accepted in Nepalese rupees; some counters also take card, but cash is safest. Opening hours are typically 10 am – 3 pm on working days, but confirm before you set out.

How long it takes

At the Kathmandu headquarters most extensions are processed over the counter within a few hours. Pokhara and Biratnagar offices usually follow the same same‑day pattern, though queue length, public holidays and staffing can add a half‑day wait. Build in a buffer and avoid booking an international flight for the same afternoon.

What happens when you reach the 150‑day limit

Once you have accumulated 150 days of tourist stay in the current visa year, the DoI will not grant another 15‑day extension. Your options are to depart Nepal, apply for a different visa type (e.g., business, study, non‑tourist), or seek a special permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs – a process that is separate and requires additional documentation.

If you are a day or two late

Overstaying even a single day triggers a daily penalty that the DoI calculates on departure. The exact per‑day rate changes, so check the current figure on the DoI website before you leave. Paying the penalty does not grant you a new legal stay; you still need to regularise your status or exit the country.

Quick checklist before you go

• Confirm your current visa expiry date and calculate remaining days.
• Verify the nearest DoI office that processes extensions (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar).
• Check the DoI website for the latest fee, penalty, office hours and online‑appointment link.
• Gather every document on the list above, plus one extra photo.
• Book an appointment online if the portal is active; otherwise plan to arrive early.

Used properly, an in‑country tourist‑visa extension is one of the less stressful pieces of paperwork in Nepal. Bring more documents than you think you need, arrive early, ask the counter staff what has changed since the last guide was written, and you will be fine. For related information see our Nepal Visa on Arrival guide and the Overstay penalty explained page.