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Nepal
Country Specific Information
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April 22, 2009
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Nepal is a developing country with extensive tourist facilities, which vary widely in quality and price. The capital is
Kathmandu. Nepal ended a ten-year Maoist insurgency in November 2006 and established an interim government in January 2007.
National elections in April 2008 formed a Constituent Assembly to serve as a parliamentary body and draft a new constitution
by May 2010. The Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy in May 2008.
The Maoists, who received a plurality of votes in the Constituent Assembly election, formed a coalition government in August
2008. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Nepal for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Travelers may obtain visas prior to travel or purchase fifteen-day multiple-entry visas
($25), one-month multiple-entry visas ($40), or three-month multiple-entry visas ($100) upon arrival at Tribhuvan International
Airport in Kathmandu and at the following land border points of entry: Kakarvitta, Jhapa District (Eastern Nepal); Birgunj,
Parsa District (Central Nepal); Kodari, Sindhupalchowk District (Northern Border); Belahia, Bhairahawa (Rupandehi District,
Western Nepal); Jamunaha, Nepalgunj (Banke District, Mid-Western Nepal); Mohana, Dhangadhi (Kailali District, Far Western
Nepal); and Gadda Chauki, Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur District, Far Western Nepal). Visas and information on entry/exit requirements
can be obtained from the Embassy of Nepal at 2131 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 667-4550 or the Consulate
General in New York at (212) 370-3988.
Before departure from the Tribhuvan International Airport, all foreigners, regardless of their length of stay, must pay an
airport exit tax (currently approximately $17) if traveling to Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The departure tax for all other international destinations is slightly higher (currently approximately $21). The departure
taxes shown above are subject to fluctuation, depending upon the exchange rates, and are now collected directly by travel
agents. Tourists may stay in Nepal no longer than 150 days in any given calendar year. Visa overstays carry a heavy fine
and, in some cases, can incur jail time. The Department of Immigration in Kathmandu is authorized to make that decision on
a case-by-case basis. Active duty U.S. military and Department of Defense contractors must obtain a country clearance from
their parent units to be forwarded to the Defense Attaché’s Office at the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for both official and
unofficial travel to Nepal.
Travelers occasionally report immigration difficulties with Chinese authorities when crossing the Nepal-China border over
land in either direction. There have been reports of travelers being detained and subsequently deported by the Chinese authorities
for possessing items deemed to have incited anti-Chinese rhetoric. Chinese authorities often require American and other foreign
tourists to organize "group" tours through established travel agencies as a prerequisite for obtaining visas and entry permits
into Tibet. U.S. citizens planning to travel to Tibet from Nepal may contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for current information
on the status of the border-crossing points. Travelers may also wish to check with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of
China in Nepal for current regulations on entry into Tibet. Visit the Embassy of Nepal web site for the most current visa information.
Information about dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: A Travel Warning remains in effect because the Department of State continues to be concerned about the security situation
in Nepal. Despite the April 2008 elections, various groups aiming to advance political agendas continue to commit extortions,
abductions and killings. Demonstrators have stopped and in some cases attacked vehicles, including those of the U.S. Embassy.
In the southern Terai plains, more than 40 armed groups, some in pursuit of independence or autonomy and others composed mainly
of opportunistic criminal elements, piggybacked on a popular uprising in 2007. Since 2008, competing factions in the Terai
clashed with the Maoists, hill-origin Nepalese, police, and each other, exacerbating unrest in the southern Terai plains since
2008. These clashes instigated numerous strikes, demonstrations, and Indo-Nepal border closures, and have threatened Kathmandu-based
personnel of a U.S. non-governmental organization active in the region.
The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends against non-essential travel to the Terai, the southern region bordering India. Maoist
splinter groups in the Terai as well as other violent Terai-based groups continue to kidnap and murder Nepalese citizens.
Additionally, ongoing political agitation and civil unrest in the Terai, including violent clashes between various political
groups and Maoist splinter groups, as well as inter-communal violence and criminality, have increased. The random, indiscriminate,
and unpredictable nature of these attacks creates the risk of U.S. citizens in Nepal being caught in the wrong place at the
wrong time.
Americans traveling to Nepal should be aware of the potential for large or violent demonstrations. Frequently, demonstrators
burn vehicles, throw rocks at passing motorists, and burn tires to block traffic. Given the frequency, nature, intensity
and unpredictability of disturbances, American citizens are urged to exercise particular caution when demonstrations are announced
or reported, avoid areas where demonstrations are occurring or crowds are forming, avoid road travel during these periods
and maintain a low profile. Demonstrations can occur with little or no advance notice. American citizens are urged to consult
media sources and the U.S. Embassy web site for current security information.
In 2003, the Department of State designated the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) as a Terrorist Organization under the "Terrorist
Exclusion List" of the Immigration and Nationality Act and under Executive Order 13224. These two designations make Maoists
excludable from entry into the United States and bar U.S. citizens from transactions such as contribution of funds, goods,
or services to, or for the benefit of, the Maoists.
The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu requires pre-clearance of all travel outside the Kathmandu Valley by U.S. Government employees.
U.S. citizens who decide to travel outside the Valley are strongly urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu to discuss
and register their planned itinerary and to receive the most recent security information before traveling. Nighttime road
travel should be strictly avoided outside the Kathmandu Valley and minimized within Kathmandu. Power cuts of up to sixteen
hours a day, due to electrical shortages, have contributed to a steady stream of accidents, as well as crimes.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site , where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, including the Travel Warning for Nepal, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States
and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.
For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see
the Department of State’s publication A Safe Trip Abroad.
BANDHS (GENERAL STRIKES): A "bandh" (forced closure of businesses and schools and halting of vehicular traffic) is a frequently used and longstanding
form of political expression in Nepal. Many bandhs are enforced through intimidation and violence. In one case, an American
citizen was injured when demonstrators threw a rock and broke the window of the vehicle in which he was traveling to the airport.
In another recent incident, a jeep full of foreigners, including one American citizen, was stopped and vandalized on the way
to Kathmandu from Chitwan. Bandhs tend to be unpredictable and may take place without any prior notice. Bandhs typically
draw thousands of demonstrators, who sometimes incite or initiate violence. Bandhs tend to focus on the central areas of
Kathmandu, but they also can be nationwide, and violent bandh-related disturbances occur throughout Nepal.
Bandhs in the Terai region of Nepal also occur and have been known to last for several weeks, causing acute shortages of daily
food supplies and bringing vehicular traffic to a complete halt. Individuals have been reported kidnapped or killed for not
complying with the bandhs in the region.
During bandhs, U.S. citizens are urged to avoid all unnecessary travel. If travel by vehicle is necessary, U.S. citizens
should pay attention to the volume of traffic on the roads, waiting until a pattern of traffic is well established before
undertaking travel, and maintaining a low profile throughout bandh periods. Buses, taxis, and other forms of public transportation
may not operate during a bandh. Observance of bandhs, particularly in the transportation sector, may be higher outside the
Valley, where a number of private buses and trucks have been stopped, torched, and their drivers beaten. U.S. citizens are
strongly urged to avoid road travel outside the Kathmandu Valley, especially during scheduled bandhs. If you are planning
air travel to or from Nepal during scheduled bandhs, be aware that transportation to and from airports throughout Nepal could
be affected. Consult the U.S. Embassy web site for the latest security information.
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CRIME: Although the rate of violent crime is low in Kathmandu relative to that in comparably-sized American cities, crime in Kathmandu
and adjacent areas continues to rise. Robberies and burglaries involving foreigners continue to increase.
Visitors should avoid walking alone after dark, especially in areas experiencing power cuts, and should avoid carrying large
sums of cash or wearing expensive jewelry. Women travelers are advised not to wear revealing clothing in public places as
this can be culturally offensive to Nepalese. In addition, visitors should consider exchanging money only at banks and hotels
and limiting shopping to daylight hours. There have been several reported incidents in which tourists have had their belongings
stolen from their rooms while they were asleep. Valuables should be stored in the hotel safety deposit box and should never
be left unattended in hotel rooms. Travelers should be especially alert at or near major tourist sites, where most pick-pocketing
occurs. Passports and cash should be carried in a protected neck pouch or money belt--not in a backpack or handbag. Nepali
police forces have limited resources and lack sufficient manpower to effectively enforce law and order. Their services are
not up to Western standards. Many cases reported to the police remain unresolved.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy
or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and
prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the
local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Nepal is: 100, which is manned 24/7 by the local police. While most Nepalese
police officials understand and speak English, when calling the emergency number, you might wish to speak slowly so that the
message that you wanted to pass gets across to the official clearly and without difficulty.
Please see our information on Victims of Crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly
from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties
for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Nepalese laws,
even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs
in Nepal are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with
children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The Government of Nepal has authorized the Trekking Agency Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB)
to implement a new system for foreign hikers called the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS). Beginning January
1, 2008, foreign visitors on hiking trips in Nepal, including those not with organized hiking groups, need to have a valid
TIMS card issued by TAAN, its member agencies, or NTB. In case of an emergency, the new system will help authorities ascertain
the whereabouts of trekkers. TIMS cards are available free of charge through authorized trekking companies, the TAAN office
in Kathmandu or Pokhara, and the NTB office.
U.S. citizens should never hike alone or become separated from larger traveling parties while on a trail. Solo trekking has
contributed to injuries and deaths, and makes one more vulnerable to criminals. The safest option for all trekkers is to
join an organized group and/or use a reputable firm that provides an experienced guide and porters who communicate in both
Nepali and English. Destruction of telephone services to many trekking areas during the Maoist insurgency often complicates
efforts to locate U.S. citizens and make arrangements for medical evacuations. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to contact
the Embassy in Kathmandu for the latest security information and to register their itinerary before undertaking treks outside
the Kathmandu Valley (see Registration/Embassy Location section below). Trekkers are also advised to leave their itinerary
with family or friends in the U.S. and to check in at police checkpoints where trekking permits are logged.
Trekking in Nepal involves walking over rugged, steep terrain, where one is exposed to the elements, often at high altitudes.
Many popular trekking routes in Nepal cross passes as high as 18,000 feet. The U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu strongly recommends
that U.S. citizens exercise extreme caution when trekking at high altitudes. Only experienced mountain travelers should tackle
the Himalayas. Trekkers of all ages, experience, and fitness levels can experience Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), which can
be deadly.
Trekkers should also be alert to the possibility of avalanches and landslides, even when trails are clear. Avalanches at
the narrow gorge above Deurali on the route to the Annapurna Base Camp regularly result in the deaths of trekkers and climbers.
Avalanches and landslides caused by severe storms have killed many foreign trekkers and their Nepalese guides, and have stranded
hundreds of others. Trekking in Upper Mustang in certain National Park areas may require a special permit from the Government
of Nepal and a fee. Americans are encouraged to check on the fees and permits prior to their travels.
A number of tourists have drowned while swimming in Phewa Lake and other adjoining lakes in Pokhara due to flash floods triggered
by monsoon rains or after becoming entangled in submerged tree branches or roots.
Before leaving Kathmandu, trekkers can check with the Himalayan Rescue Association (phone: (977) (1) 4440-292/4440-293) or
the U.S. Embassy for reliable information about trail conditions and possible hazards in the high country.
Many Nepal-based volunteer organizations have recently formed and maintain websites. However, the Embassy has received reports
from a number of American volunteers complaining that such organizations have swindled them after arriving in Nepal to work
as volunteers. Americans are cautioned to be aware of this practice and encouraged to research the legitimacy of such organizations.
The Social Service Council of the Government of Nepal maintains a list of legitimate volunteer organizations and information
can be verified by emailing inquiries to info@swc.org.np.
Nepal has a controlled, or fixed, currency exchange rate with the Indian Rupee. To manage this rate of exchange, the Government
of Nepal requires travelers to declare either the import or export of currency. As of this writing, travelers must declare
any cash currency carried that exceeds $2,000 in value by filling out a custom's declaration form. The Nepalese Department
of Immigration has reported an increasing number of foreigners being arrested for currency violations. Travelers should ensure
that they keep a copy of the declaration form after customs officials have put the endorsement on the form to prevent any
problems upon departure. Please note that this requirement is subject to change and travelers should contact the Embassy
of Nepal in Washington, D.C. to obtain the latest information. Consequences for violating this requirement could include
seizure of all cash carried, fines, and imprisonment. It is illegal to possess 500 or 1,000 Indian Rupee notes in Nepal.
Nepalese customs regulations are complex and cumbersome. Customs authorities ensure that the appropriate customs revenues
are raised by enforcing strict regulations concerning importation (even temporary importation) into or exportation from Nepal
of items such as valuable metals, articles of archeological and religious importance, wildlife and related articles, drugs,
arms and ammunition, and communications equipment. In many recent instances, importation of items purported for donation
to schools, hospitals, and other social organizations were confiscated, or were cleared only after payment of a hefty fine
for failure to obtain prior approval from the Ministry of Finance . Those wishing to donate items to charity or any organization in Nepal must obtain prior approval for waiver of the custom
fees from the Ministry of Finance by sending a formal request letter (not via email) to the following address:
Revenue Secretary
Ministry of Finance
Singha Durbar
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4211400
Fax: 977-1-4211605
The request should include detailed information about the items to be imported as well as the organizations to which the items
are being donated. The Revenue Secretary will review the request and refer it to the Ministerial level for final decision
and approval. Note that all requests are processed on a case-by-case basis. It is highly recommended that intended recipient(s)
coordinate with the Ministry to get requests processed. Please see our Customs Information.
Nepal is prone to earthquakes, landslides, and flooding. The Government of Nepal’s ability to respond is limited. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical care in Nepal is extremely limited and is generally not up to Western standards. Typical travelers' complaints can
be addressed by the clinics in Kathmandu, and some surgeries can also be performed in the capital. However, serious illnesses
often require evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility (in Singapore, Bangkok or New Delhi). Illnesses and injuries
suffered while hiking in remote areas often require evacuation by helicopter to Kathmandu. Those trekking in remote areas
of Nepal should factor the high costs of a potential helicopter rescue into their financial considerations. Travelers are
urged to consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance if they plan to visit remote areas. There is minimal mental health
care available in Nepal. Americans with mental health problems are generally stabilized and transported to the U.S. for care.
The Consular Section in Kathmandu can provide a list of available medical facilities to Americans upon request. Medical facilities
are often overwhelmed due to insufficient resources and the emergency services available fall far short of those expected
in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Nepal.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization's (WHO) web site. Further health information for travelers is available from the WHO.
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MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Nepal is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
Travel via road in areas outside of the Kathmandu Valley remains dangerous and should be avoided. In general, roads in Nepal
are in poor condition and lack basic safety features, resulting in significant numbers of accidents and fatalities. Moreover,
Americans should consider avoiding riding motorcycles in Nepal, particularly on highways. Deaths from motorcycle accidents
have risen dramatically. Visitors throughout Nepal, including in Kathmandu, are encouraged to use metered taxis and avoid
public buses and microbuses. However, there have lately been several instances of taxi drivers tampering with the meters
in an attempt to charge more than the normal fares. If you believe that you are being overcharged, you may wish to file a
complaint with the traffic police on the street or at the nearest local police station. At a minimum, you will need the license
plate number of the taxi to file a complaint. Various Nepalese political groups frequently announce road closures (blockades)
in certain districts of Nepal and forcibly block major roads throughout the country, including roads to Tibet, India, Chitwan,
Pokhara, and Jiri. There have been instances of Americans being stranded at the border crossing to India in southeastern
Nepal for several days when the border was closed due to political demonstrations. In addition, during the monsoon season,
heavy rains cause flooding and can wash out roads or make road travel difficult. U.S. citizens should travel into and within
Nepal by air whenever possible.
In the Kathmandu Valley, traffic jams are common on major streets, particularly between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Motor vehicles,
bicycles, pedestrians and animals, all traveling at different speeds, congest narrow roads. Traffic is poorly regulated,
and the volume of vehicles on the roads has increased by approximately 15 percent per year. Many drivers are neither properly
licensed nor trained. Many vehicles are poorly maintained, and public vehicles are generally overloaded. Sidewalks and pedestrian
crossings are nonexistent in most areas, and drivers do not yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Pedestrians account for
over 40% of all traffic fatalities in Nepal.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Visit the web site of Nepal’s national tourist office.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Nepal, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Nepal’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA's web site.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Nepal are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Nepal. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located in Maharajgunj in Kathmandu, telephone (977) (1) 400-7200. The Consular Section can be reached through the Embassy switchboard at (977) (1) 400-7200, directly by fax at (977) (1) 400-7281 or contact via email.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Nepal dated September 29, 2008, to update the sections on Country Description,
Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Bandhs (General Strikes), Crime, Special Circumstances and Traffic Safety and
Road Conditions.
