Visa on arrival and no quarantine for inoculated travellers in Nepal
The Nepal government has scrapped the mandatory quarantine rule for inbound tourists and resumed the on-arrival visa service to all fully vaccinated travelers. This is a welcome move from the government to help and bring back momentum to the tourism industry in Nepal which was left in shambles by the COVID.
The new protocol, issued under the Infectious Disease Act (1964), and Covid-19 Crisis Management Ordinance introduced by the government became infective from 16 September and the parliament voted against it. On Monday, 20th September, the cabinet approved a new travel protocol under the Infectious Disease Act (1964).
With the new protocol, all visitors applying for an on-arrival visa should be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to their entering Nepal, and those who are not fully vaccinated will need to apply for visas from Nepali diplomatic missions at their respective countries and spend 10 days mandatory quarantine in the government-approved hotel. Once landed at the TIA, all visitors are required to undergo a mandatory antigen or rapid antigen test at the immigration entry points. Once tested negative, they can enter the country and if they test positive then they will be transferred to an isolation center or hospital appointed by the Health Ministry.
On arrival visa has also been resumed for all non-resident Nepali and foreigners married to Nepali citizens.
Following are the requirements to obtain a visa upon arrival in Nepal for fully vaccinated travelers:
1. Certificate of Vaccination completion at least 14 days prior to the flight
2. Negative PCR report – not more than 72 hours before your flight time
3. A copy of mountaineering or trekking permit or similar activity that needs a permit in Nepal
4. Hotel Booking confirmation in Nepal
5. A copy of the International Traveler online Arrival Form printed after filling it on www.ccmc.gov.np
For all other travelers who are applying for visas at Nepali Mission in their country will only need to provide the documents numbered 1, 3, and 4. After your visa is issued, they will need to have the other two documents numbered 2, and 5, ready before boarding your flight to Nepal and submit them at the immigration point.
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers have to mandatorily quarantine themselves at the hotel for 10 days and take a test on the 11th day, all at their own expense. Only after testing negative on the 11th day, they are free to travel and resume their itinerary in Nepal.
The second COVID wave hit the country hard and left the tourism industry in shambles. The government implemented a very strict lockdown, which was gradually lifted after two months and almost every ban has been lifted since 1st September. Albeit late, the new decision has been praised by all tourism entrepreneurs and from all sectors in the country.
We truly believe that these new measures will boost the shattered tourism industry and the country’s economy.