Nepal Visa for Retreats & YTT: 15, 30, or 90 Days
By Aarav Sharma · Published 2026-07-04
What's the Right Visa for Your Retreat?
The right visa is the shortest one that comfortably covers your retreat plus a day or two of buffer. A one- or two-week retreat fits the 15-day visa; a month-long course fits the 30-day; a teacher training with travel afterwards fits the 90-day.
Visa Fees and Durations
| Visa | Fee | Stay | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15-day tourist | $30 | Up to 15 days | A short yoga or meditation retreat |
| 30-day tourist | $50 | Up to 30 days | A month-long retreat or a tight teacher training |
| 90-day tourist | $125 | Up to 90 days | A teacher training plus travel or trekking |
All three are issued as visa-on-arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, and the fee buys a set number of days counted from your entry date. Across one visit or several, you cannot spend more than 150 days in Nepal in a single calendar year. Visa fees can change, so confirm the current amounts before you travel.
Which Visa for a Yoga Teacher Training?
A 200-hour yoga teacher training in Nepal usually runs about three to four weeks of full-time study. That length sits right at the edge of the 30-day visa, which works if your course starts soon after you land and you fly out promptly at the end. It leaves almost no margin for delays, rest days, or side trips.
If you want breathing room, the 90-day visa is the calmer choice. It covers the training with weeks to spare, so you can arrive early to settle in, rest afterwards, or add a trek. Compare verified schools on our yoga teacher training page before you commit to dates.
How Visa-on-Arrival Works at the Airport
- Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and follow the signs to the visa-on-arrival area.
- Fill in the arrival and visa forms, or use one of the self-service kiosks, which can also take your photo.
- Choose your visa length, 15, 30, or 90 days, and pay the fee at the bank counter.
- Take your receipt and passport to the immigration desk to collect your visa stamp.
- Clear immigration, collect your bags, and meet your operator's pickup or arrange onward transport.
Bring the visa fee in cash, ideally in US dollars. Card and currency-exchange options exist at the airport but are not always working, and a small stack of cash is the quickest way through. Confirm the current fee before you fly, since visa prices can change.
Can You Extend Your Visa?
Yes. If your plans grow, tourist visas can be extended in person at the immigration offices in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Extensions are granted up to the annual limit of 150 days in Nepal per calendar year, so a 30-day visitor can add weeks rather than leaving and re-entering the country. Bring your passport and allow time for the visit. The Department of Immigration sets the current extension fees and rules, and they can change, so check the latest details before you rely on an extension.
Getting from the Airport to Your Retreat
Almost every international retreat guest lands in Kathmandu. If your retreat is in the Kathmandu Valley, you are close already. If it is in Pokhara, you have two options: a short flight of about 25 minutes, or a scenic drive of roughly 6 to 8 hours by road. Many operators arrange airport pickup or help book onward transport, so share your arrival time and flight details in advance. Confirm the pickup point once your booking is confirmed.
Sorting a longer stay for teacher training? Your visa length matters most when the course runs three or four weeks.
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