Travel to Nepal during COVID-19: What you need to know before you go

5Min to Read | By Himalayan Windows | Feb 28, 2022

Covid-19 cases are in flux across the globe. Health officials warn that staying home is the best way to stop transmission until you are fully jabbed. We have tried to explain what to know if you still plan to travel to Nepal during Covid-19. For broad-minded individuals who value an experience that is authentic and mesmerizing, Nepal is the ideal destination. Come and revel in the untouched and the undiscovered and uncover yourself.

In a recent announcement, the UK government lifted all the Covid-19 restrictions saying that “ Because of the efforts we have made as a country over the past two years, we can now deal with it in a very different way, moving from government restrictions to personal responsibility, so we protect ourselves without losing our abilities and maintaining our contingent capabilities so we can respond rapidly to any new variant” This message clearly says that we have to learn to live with Covid-19.

The early Lockdowns impacted Nepal very badly. The lockdown in Nepal has been very hard for the poor villages throughout the country. Their only regular source of cash income is through daily waged work on farms and building sites, brick kilns and factories, etc. Nepal is still coming through the third wave of the pandemic, gladly, no lockdown has been imposed, and nearly 60% of the population is fully vaccinated. Although, the tourism industry is still facing difficulties welcoming tourists due to travel restrictions and a lack of quick response on easing rules for international visitors.

Patan Durbar Square

What’s on offer?

Nepal, with rich ancient cultures set against the most dramatic scenery in the world, is a land of discovery and unique experience. For broad-minded individuals who value an experience that is authentic and mesmerizing, Nepal is the ideal destination. Come and revel in the untouched and the undiscovered and uncover yourself.

Nepal’s major tourist attractions include wilderness and adventure activities, religious and cultural, and heritage sites. Apart from these, mountain climbing, trekking, rafting/Kayaking/Canyoning, hot air ballooning, bungee jumping, paragliding, ultralight aircraft, mountain biking, jungle safari, mountain flight, helicopter sightseeing, and rock climbing are among the significant activities that a tourist can explore in Nepal.

Who can go?

Since January 20, fully vaccinated travelers have entered Nepal without any mandatory quarantine rules. The requirement for fully vaccinated travelers is to do a PCR test 72 hours before departure.

Non-Vaccinated travelers can also visit Nepal but are subject to additional testing and quarantine requirements. See below.

On January 20, the Nepal government-imposed modified entry rules due to the spread of the Omicron variant. This is the latest notice for tourists arriving and departing from Nepal.

The visa-issuance procedures and the required documents for the foreigners competing for vaccination against COVID-19.

For visa-on-arrival

Foreigners with complete vaccination are eligible for visas on arrival as per the prevailing immigration rules can apply for the visa at the immigration entry point of Nepal with the following documents in addition to those required for access:

Evidence of completion of 14 days of vaccination against Covid-19,
The covid-19 negative report was obtained within 72 hours of the departure from the first port of embarkation (This is now applied for only unvaccinated or partially vaccinated tourists)
Copy of mountaineering or trekking or other related permits, if any,
Proof of hotel reservation in Nepal,
A printed copy of the international traveler Online Arrival Form was obtained after online registration at ccmc.gov.np.

To obtain Visa from Nepali missions abroad.

Foreigners with complete vaccination shall submit the documents (as above) while applying for the visa at the Nepali missions aboard and are required to submit the documents at the immigration entry point in Nepal.

Visa issuance procedure for non-vaccinated tourists

Tourists without or incomplete vaccination or within 14 days of vaccination shall obtain a prior visa from Nepali missions abroad. Such foreigners shall submit the following documents:

Copy of mountaineering or trekking or other related permits, if
Proof of hotel reservation
The covid-19 negative report was obtained within 72 hours of the departure from the first port of embarkation.

What to do after arrival (for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated tourists)

Foreigners without or incomplete vaccination or within 14 days of vaccination and all foreigners with Covid-19 symptoms and indications (even if they are vaccinated) are subject to antigen tests at the immigration entry point. If tested positive, they are subject to mandatory isolation or hospitalization specified by the Ministry of Health and Population and mandatory five days of hotel quarantine if tested negative.
In case of unavailability of antigen test mentioned above, are required antigen test at the hotel. If tested positive, they are subject to mandatory isolation or hospitalization specified by the Ministry of Health and population, and mandatory five days hotel quarantine if tested negative.
Foreigners with complete vaccination (without antigen test at the immigration entry point) are required to antigen test within 24 hours of hotel check-in and are allowed to move out only if tested negative after that antigen test should be done every 72 hours.
The foreigners should be warned about the Covid-19 test or isolation cost and other expenses, including insurance.
All foreigners in Nepal with symptoms and signs of Covid-19 shall go through the Covid-19 test and are subject to mandatory isolation at their own expense.

What’s the Covid-19 situation?

Nepal suffered a devastating Delta variant and now going through the Omicron variant. Omicron Cases are dropping that started to rise in early January. According to the ministry, as of February 28, 956,413 infected people have recovered from the disease, and the number of active cases stands at 8,157; the death toll has now reached 11,935. 60% of the country’s total population has been fully vaccinated, and boosters dose is in the rollout process.