Nepal from the US
A US passport needs no visa in advance for Nepal: the tourist visa is issued on arrival, at Kathmandu's airport or at a land border such as Kakarbhitta, the crossing nearest Darjeeling. Here are the fees and what to carry.
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The fees
Nepal's tourist visa costs US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days and US$125 for 90, with multiple re-entry. The tourism board says fees are taken in US dollars or another convertible currency, and credit cards are accepted too.
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By air
Fill in the online tourist visa form before you fly, or at the kiosks at Tribhuvan airport; the barcode receipt is valid for 15 days. Pay at the bank counter, where the Department of Immigration advises carrying some cash, then take the receipt to the immigration desk.
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By road
From Darjeeling, the crossing is the Mechi bridge, 22 km from Bagdogra. Take your Indian exit stamp at the Raniganj immigration office in Panitanki, walk the bridge, then buy the visa at Kakarbhitta with US dollars in cash and a photograph. Clocks jump 15 minutes.
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Coming back
An Indian e-Visa lets you leave India at Panitanki but not come back in there. If you are returning to India before flying home, fly from Kathmandu. Buddha Air lists five flights a day from Bhadrapur, 21 km past the border, to Kathmandu.
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Repeat visits
Nepal's Department of Immigration lists a reciprocity tourist visa for US citizens: five years, up to 180 days a year, US$160, with a bank statement of at least US$10,000, a health insurance certificate and a police report. For one trip, the on-arrival visa is simpler.
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Next step
Tell us whether Nepal comes first or last, and on which passport each person travels. We set the border day around the office hours and the Bhadrapur flights, and carry the porters and paperwork on both banks.
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