Process To Get Entry Visa For Traveling In Nepal with 3 Days PCR Test:

Travelling Nepal with PCR Test, Nepal is a Himalayan country which is the hub for trekkers and mountain seekers. Nepal offers the best trekking and travelling experience in the world. Besides trekking and mountaineering, people also visit Nepal to experience its rich culture, diverse ethnical people, and medieval arts and architectures of its own.

People also come to visit Nepal, to see ancient Hindus and Buddhist monuments, sculptures, and temples. However, the trekking and hiking trails of Nepal are the main focus for most travelers.

However, due to Covid-19, travel has banned in Nepal since March 2020.But Nepal government has implemented rules and regulations related to Covid-19 to made travel easy that allows welcoming trekkers and mountaineers from last November 2020 to visit Nepal.

Travellers should know that, Nepal government has formulated a travelling policy only for Mountaineer and trekkers. And at the moment the government is planning to ease further when the times come. The government has announced the resumption of the issuing of tourist entry visa, on 9 December 2020.

As per the information, the entry visas process operated from Nepal diplomatic missions abroad. All foreigners should obtain a tourist entry visa from a Nepali diplomatic mission abroad. Or get a pre-approval from the concerned ministry for ensuring their on-arrival access.

Travelling Nepal with PCR Test

Rules If You Got the Arrival Visa

1. One should get a negative results from a PCR test within 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
2. Children whose age is under 5, are generally exempt from this requirement.
3. 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.
4. Health screening procedures are in place at airports and other ports of entry.  They generally consist of temperature checks and a spray disinfecting area.
5. In case of countries where prior visa provision for Nepal is not currently available, expedition teams or trekkers shall coordinate with their Travel/ Trekking Agency based in Nepal for an arrangement of prior approval to enter Nepal.
6. For prior visa approval, the Nepal-based Agencies shall submit all prescribed details of the client/s and relevant details to Department of Tourism (DoT) for Expedition Teams and the Nepal Tourism Board for Trekking Tours.
7. For the recommendation of visa to be submitted to the Department of Immigration in advance. The concerned Agency shall be notified regarding visa recommendations.

Notably, a passage belongs from or transiting through the United Kingdom are not allowed to enter Nepal due to the second variant of COVID 19. For instance, if you have a pre-approval of the Government of Nepal then it will be easy for you to enter Nepal otherwise, Nepal is still remains close to all land border entry/exit points for foreigners.

Even in the difficult times due to Covid 19 you can even trek to Everest Base Camp during the Pandemic but you have to follow the medical guidelines approved by the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation for mountaineers and trekkers.

Travelling Nepal with PCR Test

Covid Test Required To Travel Nepal.

As mentioned above, now you have an overall idea regarding Covid-19 test procedures while travelling to Nepal. The most important part of this section is that you need to submit negative results of a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departing from your origin country. Moreover, you need to have at least a $5,000 USD insurance paper against COVID 19.

You also have to make sure that your travelling team in Nepal also got insurance coverage of a minimum of NPR 100,000.

Details for Special Entry Requirements for Trekkers and Mountaineers.

1. Mountaineers and trekkers must obtain a visa before arrival through their travel and trekking agencies.
2. Travelers must have negative results from a PCR test taken within 72 hours of departing their origin country.
3. Traveler must have a hotel booking for a 7 day quarantine in Nepal.
4. Traveler must possess insurance of at least $5,000 USD against COVID-19.
5. On the fifth day of the quarantine, travelers must take a PCR test at their own expense before proceeding with their trek or expedition.
6. As per Article 5, a tourist who tests PCR positive for COVID 19, quarantine shall be extended till he/she obtains a PCR negative test report.
7. Expedition or trekking teams shall provide insurance coverage of minimum of NPR 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Nepali Rupees only) against COVID-19 to team members from Nepal prior to obtaining permission for expedition or trekking
8. While in expedition or trekking in Nepal, health protocols issued by the Ministry of Health and Population of the Government of Nepal shall be duly followed
9. Other terms and provisions to be followed by tourists in Nepal shall be as per regular notice and updates published by the Department of Tourism. The concerned Agency shall provide detailed information on the entry protocols to their clients/ tourists before the expedition or trekking in Nepal.

Furthermore, in 2021, Nepal’s government has almost ended the lockdown in the Kathmandu. They also have ended the alternating day even/odd system for the movement of private vehicles. However, they have to implement strict COVID measures to run their business.

Most importantly, there are some changes in the rules and regulations for transport in Nepal. As a tourist if you are eagerly waiting to visit Nepal, then you have to know the following things regarding the transport options for travelers in Nepal.

1. Domestic flights have resumed, including full seating capacity. Each flight will operate under strict COVID mitigation measures.
2. Public transportation, including taxis and buses, and some long-distance buses, may operate at 50% occupancy
3. Masks are required when outdoors, including while on public transport and taxis.

The Government of Nepal has increased Visa Fees according to the newly formulated law regarding visa fees and entry in July 2019.Now Nepal Government has provides 5-year, multiple-entry tourist visas to U.S citizens. And there are some changes to get a regular tourist visa in Nepal. The changes are listed below:

1. If you will arrive by air, either apply for a visa at a Nepalese embassy or consulate before traveling or purchase a tourist visa upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.
2. For an online visa application form. Note that obtaining a visa on arrival may take several hours.
3. If you will arrive by land, you are responsible both for obtaining a visa and going through the necessary immigration formalities.

Travelling Nepal with PCR Test

Can I travel to Nepal right now?

Yes you can! Nepal has already opened its land for mountaineer and trekkers. Most of the remote parts of Nepal is still pretty much unaffected by Covid-19. So you are bit safe from being infected by a novel coronavirus. Besides that you have to cope with the above rules and regulations implemented by the government of Nepal.

To make your travel worthy it’s better to dig deep about Nepal travel guides, however, you have to do brainstorming regarding the places you want to visit, expenditures, arrangements, flights, and etc.

Rules for U.S Citizens

1. When crossing by land into Nepal, U.S. citizens should carry U.S dollar bills to pay their Nepali visa fee.
2. U.S. citizens traveling from India to Nepal from the Belahia, Bhairahawa checkpoint should be aware that Nepali visa fees must be paid in cash in U.S. dollars.
3. Credit cards or other currencies will not be accepted.
4. All U.S. bills must be new (no older than 2003) and in good condition (no tears, excessive wear, creases, visible repairs, etc.) Individuals crossing the border by foot are provided 24 hours service.
5. If you do not have a visa and do not receive an entry stamp from an immigration officer, you will not be allowed to depart Nepal and may face additional consequences.

Travelling Nepal with PCR Test

USA to Nepal flight

A new policies for travelers booking flights from the United States to Nepal include masks being provided and required on board, daily cleaning and sanitization, use of HEPA filters, pre-flight testing for antibodies and symptoms, and socially distanced seating (for a limited time). This policies vary by airline and there are no nonstop flights from the USA to Nepal. Before Pandemic (Covid 19), there were 20+ open flights from the USA to Nepal but now there are very limited flights are available. The most reliable flight to Kathmandu from the USA is Qatar Airways.

A general recommendation, When deciding which air route will be convenient from the USA to Nepal, please consider John F Kennedy Intl from New York via Doha ( Qatar) – Kathmandu Tribhuvan, Dulles Intl from Washington –  via Qatar to Kathmandu Tribhuvan or San Francisco – Kathmandu Tribhuvan as they are the most popular. There are many flights that can get you from the USA to Nepal in approximately, 16h to 22h flight time via Air India or Qatar Airways to get the fastest option. This flight may include one or multiple stops though.

How To Extend Visa In Nepal?

Traveler can get the full idea about arrival visa and it’s detail through the Nepal’s Department of Immigration. You can also fill the online application for various types of visas. Most importantly, regular tourist visa provided upon arrival by the Nepali Department of Immigration, tourists may stay no more than 150 days. And in case if you want to extend your visa, the below listed things should be consider:

1. The Department of Immigration headquarters in the Kalikasthan neighborhood of Kathmandu is the only office that can extend both tourist and non-tourist visas.
2. The Immigration Office in Pokhara can only extend tourist visas. Visitors should apply to extend their visas before the expiration date.
3. Long overstays beyond the expiration date can result in heavy fines, arrest, and detention pending formal deportation proceedings, followed by a ban on re-entry.

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.

At last ,

if you want to trek and hike in Nepal, considered the following things:

1. Will be allowed to enter Nepal from your home country? It’s uncertain if Nepal is banning visitors from certain countries
2. What are your re-patriation plans if you get sick? Your home country may not let you come home.
3. Will your travel insurance cover your evacuation back home? A Pandemic is different than anything else.
4. Are there enough critical care beds available in Nepal? Recent reports say no. If you get sick, you may be in trouble.
5. What evidence do you have that Nepal’s hotel, restaurants, transportation, and guide services will follow common-sense protocols? The tourism industry is starving for business so take any assurance with a grain of salt, including from trekking and climbing guides.