Last updated: December 14, 2020.

Nepal Country-Specific Information:

• For statistics about COVID-19 in Nepal, please refer to https://covid19.ndrrma.gov.np/.
• Most businesses, stores, restaurants, and hotels have resumed normal operations.
• The Nepal Department of Immigration in Kalikasthan, Kathmandu, is operating normally. Foreigners requiring visa-related services should consult the Nepal Department of Immigration for information. https://www.immigration.gov.np/
• The Government of Nepal has authorized local authorities to impose lockdowns within their jurisdictions. Limited lockdowns in Pokhara and many towns in the Terai remain possible.  If you must travel locally, please inquire about local conditions.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

• The government announced that the issuance of tourist entry visas from Nepali diplomatic missions abroad have resumed.
• Unless noted below, all foreigners should obtain a tourist entry visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad or obtain a pre-approval /recommendation from the concerned ministry for ensuring their on-arrival visa. For more information, please contact the Embassy of Nepal in Washington, D.C. (https://us.nepalembassy.gov.np/), or the Ministry sponsoring your visa (for example, for an educational visa, contact the Ministry of Education.)
• The government of Nepal has approved exceptions for diplomatic, international organization, and some international non-governmental organization personnel and their family members; non-residential Nepali (NRNs) or foreign passport holders with Nepali origins and their family members;  and trekkers and mountaineers meeting specific requirements.
• Further information is available from the Department of Immigration.
• All land border entry/exit points remain closed to foreigners, except those with pre-approval/recommendation of the Government of Nepal
• Negative results from a PCR test obtained within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin are required for entry.  Children under 5 are exempt from this requirement.
• The government requires negative PCR test results and a permit from a Chief District Officer to enter the Kathmandu Valley from other districts outside the Valley.
• Health screening procedures are in place at airports and other ports of entry.  They generally consist of temperature checks and a spray disinfecting area.
• The Department of Immigration announced that it would waive late fees and penalties through August 14. Consult the Department of Immigration for further details about visa extensions.

Special Entry Requirements for Trekkers and Mountaineers:

According to guidelines approved by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation for mountaineers and trekkers:

• Trekkers and mountaineers may be allowed into Nepal as of October 17.   Please contact your travel and trekking agency for more up to date information.

If implemented, the guidelines provide that:

• Trekkers and mountaineers must obtain a visa before arrival through their travel and trekking agencies.
• Trekkers and mountaineers upon arrival must submit negative results from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departing their home country.
• Trekkers and mountaineers must have a hotel booking for a 7-day quarantine in Nepal.
• Trekkers and mountaineers must possess insurance of at least $5,000 USD against COVID-19.
• On the fifth day of quarantine, trekkers and mountaineers must take a PCR test at their own expense before proceeding with their trek or expedition.

Movement Restrictions:

• The government of Nepal loosened the lockdown in the Kathmandu Valley. However, the government implemented an alternating day even/odd system for the movement of private vehicles based on the last number of the vehicle’s license plate.
• Limited long-range public bus transportation is allowed to operate at 50% capacity and is subject to strict COVID mitigation measures.
• The government announced that trekking routes may be opened beginning October 17. Contact the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation for current information.

Quarantine Information:

• Depending upon the port of entry, newly arrived travelers must undergo a mandatory quarantine ranging from 2 to 14-days.
• Suspected COVID cases already in country must also quarantine for 14 days.

• Several government designated hospitals offer COVID-19 testing. Individuals must pay the cost testing, which has been mandated by the government at Rs. 2,200.  Reports of private hospitals charging the previous maximum of Rs. 4,400 have been reported.

• Hospitals offering tests include:  Norvic International Hospital, Thapathali, Kathmandu, (01) 425-8854; Star Hospital, Sanepa Heights Road, Lalitpur, (01) 555-0197; HAMS, Mandikhatar, Kathmandu, (01) 437-7404; Patan Hospital; Bhaktapur Hospital; Teaching Hospital; Teku Hospital; Bir Hospital; Prasuti Griha; Nepal Korea Friendship Hospital; Civil Hospital; KMC Hospital; A.P.F. Hospital; Birendra Hospital; Nepal Police Hospital.

• The United States Government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas.  Please follow developments in Nepal and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.

Transportation Options:

• Limited commercial flight service has resumed.  Except as described above, foreign citizens are currently prohibited entry into Nepal.
• Domestic flights have resumed, including full seating capacity. Each flight will operate under strict COVID mitigation measures.
• Additional information on flights is available through the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal.
• Public transportation, including taxis and buses, and some long-distance buses, may operate at 50% occupancy
  • Masks are required when outdoors, including while on public transport and taxis.

Fines for Mask Non-Compliance:

• The government of Nepal has announced that failure to wear a mask outdoors may result in arrest and a fine.  Specific information about potential penalties has not been published.

Consular Operations:

• American Citizens: the consular section is scheduling limited citizen services, contingent upon local conditions. If you have an urgent need, please contact the consular section by email at consktm@state.gov or through the Embassy main phone number at (01) 423-4000.
• Visas: the consular section is only able to process emergency visa cases, official visas, and a very limited number of visas that do not require interviews.
• Immigrant visa cases are being scheduled on a limited bases with priority given to certain Immediate Relative family members of U.S. citizens including fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens, and certain Special Immigrant Visa applications.
• To keep you informed, we provide security updates on state.gov and Embassy Kathmandu’s website, and send out alerts when you enroll in STEP.
• For more information about how the Embassy supports citizens during a crisis, please refer to: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/what-state-dept-can-cant-do-crisis.html

Local Resources:

• Nepal Ministry of Health and Population at https://heoc.mohp.gov.np/recent_alert/update-on-novel-corona-virus-2019_ncov/ or Facebook at com/HEOC
• Nepal Ministry of Health and Population COVID-19 Hotline Local Telephone Numbers: 9851255839; 9851255837; 9851255834 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Infectious Disease Hospital (Teku) Hospital at info@istidh.org and the National Health Public Health Laboratory at nphl@nphl.gov.np for patient testing and quarantine.
• Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu: https://www.tiairport.com.np/
• Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal’s published list of international departures from Nepal.

Other Travel Related Links:

• COVID-19 crisis page on travel.state.gov
• Visit the Customs and Border Protection’s website on the latest travel restrictions to the United States.
• CDC page on COVID-19
• https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Nepal.html for Nepal Country Information and Travel Advisory page.

By prajapatipr | 14 December, 2020 | Topics: Alert, U.S. Citizen Services